Rio Tinto restarts South African mineral sands project
Rio Tinto has approved the restart of Richards Bay Minerals’ US$473 million ($A668 million) Zulti South project in South Africa, six years after halting the venture due to civil unrest.
Richards Bay Minerals, 74 percent owned by Rio Tinto, mines the mineral-rich sands of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province to extract zircon, rutile, ilmenite and titanium oxide, which are mostly used in the production of paints, sunscreens and smartphones.
The Zulti South project is key to plans to extend the lifespan of Richards Bay Minerals’ operations to 2050 as the ore deposit at Zulti North declines, the company said on Monday.
“The decision to proceed also reflects improved safety conditions and strengthened community partnerships,” said Richards Bay Minerals managing director Werner Duvenhage.
China Harbor Engineering Company was appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.
Construction is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026, and first commercial production is expected in the fourth quarter of 2028.
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