Fissure Mines portfolio. This process did not result in any acceptable offers for the mines and Star was subsequently placed into care and maintenance. Other minerals Other minerals found in the Welkom vicinity include calcite, iridium, isoferroplatinum, muscovite, pyrophylite, rutile and uranite. Industry Due to the declining gold price in the nineties, the manufacturing industry was promoted as a further means to support the local economy. Heavy machinery support for mining can be found in the Voorspoed area. Various other maintenance industries and services are well founded in Welkom which include engineering, and mechanical repairs. Welkom produces goods such as steel, lumber, dairy products, and beef. The city also hosts several major industries such as Coca-Cola and South African Breweries. Agriculture The high water table in the north-western part of the district makes it very suitable for maize production and should remain an important maize producing area. The district is mostly covered by non-arable, moderate potential grazing land as well as marginal potential arable land. The Welkom region forms part of the Maize Triangle, which stretches over three of South Africa's provinces. The region is also a major producer of sunflowers, poultry and beef cattle. Retail Goldfields Mall Amogela Mall (formerly Liberty Centre) Boitumelo Mall Welkom Square Goldfields Casino Wernhill Shopping centre (Main shop Checkers (supermarket chain)) Welkom Shopping Centre (Main shop Pick 'n pay) Welkom retail centre (Main shops OK & Shoprite) Boxer shopping centre Shoprite centre Sport Motor-sports Welkom's most notable sport feature is the multi-million Rand Phakisa Freeway situated between Welkom and Odendaalsrus, which opened in 1999. Phakisa Freeway is an international standard, multi-purpose motor sport facility. The track features a 4,24 km road course as well as a 2,4 km banked oval track similar to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada, United States. It is one of the few oval speedways outside of the United States and the only one in Africa. The circuit hosted MotoGP's South African motorcycle Grand Prix from 1999 to 2004. Soccer Harmony F.C.'s homeground is the Zuka Baloyi Stadium, a multi-sport facility, that is currently mostly used for soccer. Another soccer stadium is Vuyo Charles Stadium which was formerly known as Thabong Stadium. Rugby The Griffons Rugby Union was formed in 1968 when the late Dr Danie Craven, then the President of SA Rugby spread the game to rural areas in South Africa, Welkom was one of four new provinces