Rio Tinto Restarts Zulti South to Extend Life of Richards Bay Minerals

Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto has announced it will restart the Zulti South project to extend the operational life of the Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) mineral sands complex in South Africa. The operation produces zircon, rutile, and ilmenite. After suspending the $463 million project in January 2020, the company now plans to resume development in the first quarter of this year, with commercial production expected in the fourth quarter of 2028.

Extending the Life of Richards Bay Minerals

RBM currently concentrates production at the Zulti North deposit, which hosts both a mineral separation plant and a smelter. As reserves there gradually decline, Rio Tinto announced plans in 2019 to develop Zulti South. The project will secure mineral sands supply for the complex through 2050 while sustaining the production of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a key input for paints, plastics, and construction materials.

Community violence disrupted the project’s implementation and forced Rio Tinto to suspend development. Six years later, the company has formally approved the restart amid improved security conditions and stronger engagement with local communities. Rio Tinto selected China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) as the main contractor, and construction should last about 30 months.

“Lifting the suspension on Zulti South secures the future of RBM. This project is not about expansion; it reflects our commitment to sustaining jobs and continuing to make a meaningful contribution to the province, the country, and host communities,” said Werner Duvenhage, managing director of RBM.

Economic Contribution and Market Context

RBM ranks among South Africa’s largest producers of mineral sands and plays an important role in the local economy. In 2024, Rio Tinto reported an economic contribution of about 7 billion rand ($434 million) from the operation. The company also invested 72 million rand (around $4 million) in community development initiatives while supporting thousands of jobs in the surrounding region.

Although Rio Tinto’s decision ends years of uncertainty around the project, the restart comes at a challenging time for the mineral sands market. Oversupply kept zircon and ilmenite prices under pressure throughout 2025 and weighed on several producers. French mining group Eramet, for example, reported a 23% decline in revenue from its Senegal operations during the last financial year.

Strategic Review of Rio Tinto’s Titanium Business

The project also coincides with broader restructuring within Rio Tinto’s portfolio. In August last year, the company announced a strategic review of its iron and titanium division, which includes Richards Bay Minerals. Rio Tinto has not clarified the scope of that review, leaving uncertainty about its possible implications for RBM and the long-term future of the Zulti South project.

Richards Bay Minerals operates as a joint venture in which Rio Tinto holds a 74% stake, while Blue Horizon, a consortium representing investors and host communities, owns 24%. An employee benefit trust holds the remaining share.