The economy of North West is driven by mining, which generates more than 50% of the province's gross domestic product and provides employment for a quarter of its workforce.

Gold is mined at Orkney and Klerksdorp; uranium at Klerksdorp; platinum at Rustenburg and Brits; and diamonds at Lichtenburg, Christiana and Bloemhof.

North West mining ventures make up 20% of South Africa’s mining industry, while more than 90% of the country's platinum comes from the province’s mines.

North West is South Africa’s fourth-smallest province.