
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.
Visitors:
Name of operation | Type of Operation | Owner of Operation | Commodity |
Richards Bay Minerals | Dune mining | Rio Tinto | Rutile, pig iron, zircon |
KZN Sands | Dune mining | Tronox | Rutile, pig iron, zircon |
Hillside Aluminium | Smelter | South32 | Aluminium |
Richards Bay Coal Terminal | Coal terminal | Richards Bay Coal Terminal | (Coal terminal) |
Foksor | Acid plant | Foskor | Acid |
Richards Bay Mill | Paper mill | Mondi | Paper, board |
Transnet | Logistics | Transnet | Minerals terminal |
Various Sugar Mills | Sugar mill | Various | Sugar |
Exhibitors we would like to see:
Richards Bay is an ideal area to incorporate all industries. Exhibitors should include suppliers in the sugar, harbour, paper and forestry sectors. Several sugar mills are dotted along the coastline and the Mondi paper mill is a massive operation, producing Baycel and Baywhite. Suppliers of heavy equipment suitable for mineral sand extraction as well as restoration would also be welcome.
Contact us if you need more information