Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal is home to several important mining and industrial operations This a highly diversified show and a perfect example of the MTE philosophy, whereby it is tailored to meet the needs of many industries including the mining industry and smelters; the agricultural sector and sugar milling in Empangeni in particular; the Richards Bay harbour and coal terminal and the paper and pulp sector in the area.
Significant mining operations include Richards Bay Minerals, South32’s Hillside Aluminium smelter and KZN Sands.
Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) is a world leader in heavy mineral sands extraction and refining and is South Africa’s largest mineral sands producer. RBM is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (74%) and Blue Horizon – a consortium of investors and our Host Communities Mbonambi, Sokhulu, Mkhwanazi and Dube – which owns 24%. The remaining shares are held in an employee trust. The mine produces ilmenite from mineral sand deposits found in dunes along the coast. Other products include zircon, rutile, iron and slag. RBM operates four mines in the Zulti North lease area, a mineral separation plant and smelting facility (https://www.riotinto.com/en/operations/south-africa/richards-bay-minerals). The Zulti North ore bodygrade is declining hence the Zulti South mine is required to maintain the output of high-margin zircon and rutile.
