Rio Tinto has approved the restart of the $473 million Zulti South project in South Africa, six years after halting the venture due to community unrest, the company announced on Monday.
Richards Bay Minerals, 74% owned by Rio Tinto, extracts zircon, rutile, ilmenite, and titanium oxide from mineral-rich sands in KwaZulu-Natal province. These minerals are used in products ranging from paint and sunscreen to smartphones.
The Zulti South project is central to extending Richards Bay Minerals’ operational life to 2050, as reserves at Zulti North decline. “The decision to proceed also reflects improved security conditions and strengthened community partnerships,” said Werner Duvenhage, managing director of Richards Bay Minerals.
China Harbour Engineering Company has been appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in Q1 2026, with initial commercial production expected in Q4 2028.
