Richards bay: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has announced the commencement of heavy construction at the Nyanza Light Metals complex within the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in KwaZulu-Natal. This key development marks a significant shift towards processing local minerals and reducing South Africa's dependency on imported titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments.
According to South African Government News Agency, the facility will not only produce high-value TiO2 pigment but will also transform process by-products into critical materials needed for the energy transition and technology sectors. This includes Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and fumed silica (SiO2), which are essential for various modern industries.
The construction phase over the next 12 months will involve installing over 6,000 deep-foundation concrete piles across the expansive 70-hectare site. These piles will be driven up to 45 meters into the ground to ensure the infrastructure's stability, with the final commissioning expected by the end of 2029. The project aims to promote industrial self-reliance and import substitution through advanced manufacturing processes.
Minister Parks Tau emphasized the strategic importance of this project in enhancing South Africa's manufacturing capabilities and its role in global supply chains of green energy, electric vehicles, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) compute infrastructure. After 15 years of planning, the project has moved from the blueprint stage to active execution, aligning with the national strategy to boost local mineral beneficiation and manufacturing capacity.
The development has successfully attracted high-value Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into South Africa's mega-industrial projects, leveraging partnerships with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other financial institutions. This collaboration signifies international confidence in South Africa's industrial potential and regulatory framework.
Moreover, the project is expected to generate substantial economic activity and employment, with over 3,000 jobs created during the peak construction phase. It also supports national localisation targets by integrating local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into its operations, thereby fostering community-level economic growth.