Rustenburg is reported to be the fatest growing urban area in Africa due to mining activities.  These mines, including Anglo Platiunum, process approximately 70% of the World's platinum.

The Bafokeng-Rustenburg granite mining area is a cluster of quarries in an area that stretches from 6 km north-east of Rustenburg over a distance of 54 km with a varying band width ranging from 4 to 9 km . There are currently 30 active and 46 defunct quarries in this area. The main type of granite mined in the area is the Rustenburg Grey.

Rustenburg farming is mainly mixed-crop - including tobacco, citrus, paprika, wheat, peppers, cotton and sunflowers.

Pilanesberg National Park near Rustenburg supports more than 7 000 head of game and 350 bird species.