Vedanta Zinc International committed approximately R21 billion to South Africa’s investment programme in 2018….reports Africa Daily News Desk
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for greater investment in mineral beneficiation and local manufacturing as he inaugurated the second-phase concentrator plant at Vedanta’s Gamsberg mine in Aggeneys, Northern Cape.
The expansion will double the mine’s annual ore capacity from approximately four million tonnes to eight million tonnes, while increasing its annual zinc-in-concentrate production capacity to around 500,000 tonnes.
Ramaphosa said the project demonstrated how cooperation between government, businesses, workers and communities could translate investment commitments into productive assets and employment opportunities.
Vedanta Zinc International committed approximately R21 billion to South Africa’s investment programme in 2018. Ramaphosa said the company’s investment reflected confidence in the country’s economic potential despite challenges involving electricity supply, transport infrastructure and unemployment.
He said the government was pursuing reforms to improve electricity availability, modernise railways and ports, strengthen public finances and expand infrastructure investment. The government has committed approximately R1 trillion to infrastructure development over the medium term, according to Ramaphosa.
However, he stressed that the success of the country’s investment drive should be measured by projects delivered, businesses expanded and jobs created rather than by announced commitments alone.
The president also called for South Africa to move beyond exporting raw and semi-processed minerals and develop greater domestic capacity for refining, processing and manufacturing.
Zinc is used in galvanising steel, construction, transport infrastructure, automotive manufacturing and emerging energy technologies. Ramaphosa said expanding downstream industries could help retain more economic value, technological expertise and employment within South Africa.
He welcomed Vedanta’s ambition to establish zinc smelting capacity in the Northern Cape, adding that commercially viable electricity and reliable infrastructure would be necessary to support further investment.
The president said the proposed Namakwa Special Economic Zone could become a centre for mineral beneficiation and manufacturing, linked with renewable energy, logistics and other industrial developments across the province.
The Gamsberg expansion employed more than 1,500 people during construction and is expected to sustain between 800 and 1,000 jobs during operations.
Ramaphosa called for greater opportunities for local communities, particularly young people, women and small businesses, through technical training, apprenticeships and supplier development.
He also highlighted Vedanta’s community investments, including the JF Boeboe Van Wyk Oncology Centre in Springbok, alongside initiatives in education, skills training and water security.
Ramaphosa said the project should help ensure that South Africa’s mineral wealth supports domestic industrial development and delivers lasting economic benefits to surrounding communities.
