Rio Tinto has approved the restart of the $473 million Zulti South mineral sands project in South Africa, bringing an end to a six-year suspension and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the region, as reported by Reuters.
The project will be developed through Richards Bay Minerals, in which Rio Tinto holds a 74 percent stake. Located in KwaZulu-Natal, the operation will extract zircon, rutile, ilmenite and titanium dioxide feedstocks used in products such as paints, ceramics and electronics. Reuters highlighted that restarting Zulti South is critical to extending Richards Bay Minerals’ mine life to 2050 as reserves at its Zulti North deposit decline.
According to TimesLIVE, Richards Bay Minerals Managing Director Werner Duvenhage said the restart reflects improved security conditions and stronger collaboration with local communities, factors that contributed to the project’s suspension in 2020 following unrest in the area. China Harbour Engineering Company has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with first production expected by the fourth quarter of 2028, MarketScreener noted. The restart is expected to secure long-term supply of mineral sands products while supporting employment and economic activity in the KwaZulu-Natal region.
Image Credit: Reuters
