Rio Tinto approves $473m South Africa mining project restart as regulator backs investment
Rio Tinto has approved an investment of about $473 million (R8.5 billion) to restart the Zulti South project in KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major step to revive a project that had been suspended for several years due to security concerns and community unrest.
Black News 
Rio Tinto has approved an investment of about $473 million (R8.5 billion) to restart the Zulti South project in KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major step to revive a project that had been suspended for several years due to security concerns and community unrest.
- Rio Tinto has approved a $473 million investment to restart the Zulti South mineral sands project in South Africa after a suspension caused by unrest.
- The project, operated by Richards Bay Minerals, will replace declining reserves at the Zulti North mine.
- South Africa’s mining regulator welcomed the move as a sign of renewed investor confidence in the sector.
- The development is expected to extend the mine’s life to 2050, with production planned to begin in 2028.
The project is being developed by Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a subsidiary that is 74 per cent owned by Rio Tinto. RBM mines mineral-rich coastal sands in KwaZulu-Natal, extracting zircon, rutile and ilmenite, which are key feedstocks used to produce titanium dioxide.
These minerals are widely used in everyday products such as paints, sunscreen, medical applications and smartphones, placing South Africa firmly within global industrial supply chains.
South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources welcomed the investment, saying it reflects renewed investor confidence in the country’s mining sector and demonstrates the benefits of cooperation between government, industry and local communities.
The department said projects like Zulti South help unlock private-sector capital that can drive economic growth while supporting development in mining regions.
The Zulti South development is also central to RBM’s long-term strategy. The company currently mines the Zulti North orebody, but reserves there are gradually declining.
Developing Zulti South is expected to extend the life of RBM’s operations to 2050 and ensure continued supply of minerals used in the production of titanium dioxide.
Mining at the site was halted in January 2020 after violent protests, security threats and damage to company property disrupted operations in the region. The unrest forced RBM to suspend the project at the time.
“Lifting the suspension on Zulti South means securing the future of RBM,” said Werner Duvenhage, managing director of Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium Africa Operations and RBM. “This project is not about expansion; it represents our commitment to sustaining jobs and continuing to make a meaningful contribution to the province, the country, and the host communities.”
Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and take around 30 months, with first commercial production targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028.
Rio Tinto has appointed China Harbour Engineering Company as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project. The company has previously worked on large infrastructure and mining developments, including the Simandou iron ore project.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said the Zulti South project is also expected to create jobs, support skills development and contribute to socio-economic progress in nearby communities.
It added that stable partnerships between mining companies, government authorities, labour groups and traditional leaders remain critical to ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth delivers long-term benefits to the wider economy.
