Goverment happy with Progress at Titanium Dioxide pigment plant in Richards Bay

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina during her visit at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Ms Nomalungelo Gina
says government is happy with the progress made at the titanium dioxide pigment
manufacturing plant based at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in
KwaZulu-Natal. Gina was visiting the zone and Nyanza Lights Metals to evaluate the phase
one completion of the infrastructure construction being built by the company for their
chemicals plant.

According to Gina, the visit highlighted the need to support highly technical sector plants that
have a potential to create sustainable jobs and train graduates in the scarce skills.

“South Africa is the second largest producer of titanium-bearing minerals in the world after
Australia, and has a potential to benefit the local industry and create much-needed jobs in
the country. More than 90% of all titanium feedstock is consumed by the pigment sector,
which drives demand for titanium mineral concentrates,” said Gina.

Gina added that titanium dioxide was a key component in many industrial applications and
consumer goods, such as paints, plastics, cosmetics, paper, rubber, ceramics, and textiles.
“Previously government had invested in initiatives that were primarily concerned with the
metals beneficiation through research, so now it is encouraging to see companies willing to
work with government and invest in plants and skills development,” she said.
The Chief of Executive Office of Nyanza Lights Metals, Mr Donovan Chimhandamba said
when the construction of the Nyanza mineral beneficiation plant starts next year, between
two and three thousand jobs will be created. He added that once the plant was fully
commissioned, 1 200 direct jobs will be created.