RICHARDS BAY, South Africa -- Rio Tinto has approved Richards Bay Minerals' Zulti South project, lifting the suspension which has been in place since January 2020. The $473 million investment aims to extend the mine's life to 2050 and ensure RBM's operational continuity for years to come.
Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) currently operates within the Zulti North lease area, which includes a mineral separation plant and smelting facility. As the orebody at Zulti North declines, Zulti South is important to RBM for maintaining a stable supply of zircon, rutile, and ilmenite and supporting TiO₂ sales over the life of the mine.
China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been appointed as the EPC contractor for the construction of Zulti South due their proven performance and strong track record including a strategic partnership with Rio Tinto on the Simandou project in Guinea, where they demonstrated successful delivery of complex EPC scopes, compliance with HSEC standards, rapid mobilisation, integration of global expertise with local execution, and a firm commitment to localisation, community engagement, and supplier development.
Werner Duvenhage, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium Africa Operations & RBM said: "Lifting the suspension on Zulti South means securing the future of 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. The decision to proceed also reflects improved security conditions and strengthened community partnerships. The support of government, Amakhosi and host communities has been vital in getting us where we are today and establishing this stability. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the project's continued success."
"CHEC's successful track record at Simandou, along with their established presence on the continent including South Africa, gives us confidence in their ability to deliver Zulti South safely, efficiently, and in alignment with our community and local content commitments".
Mr Wu Di, Vice President, VP China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) said: "We are honoured to be chosen as Rio Tinto's strategic execution partner for Zulti South. Our relationship is founded on trust, performance, and shared values. We are committed to delivering a project that strengthens RBM's future and benefits local communities"
Construction is anticipated to commence in Q1 2026 and will take 30 months to be completed with initial commercial production expected in Q4-2028. This first phase will support RBM's supply of zircon and ilmenite, while the second phase will follow as part of the long-term development strategy.
