A R10 billion expansion of the Gamsberg zinc mine in the Northern Cape will double its annual zinc-in-concentrate production capacity to approximately 500 000 tonnes, strengthening South Africa’s mineral export potential.
The Phase II concentrator plant was officially inaugurated by President Cyril Ramaphosa at Aggeneys on October 16. Annual ore-processing capacity will increase from approximately four million to eight million tonnes, according to the Presidency.
The expansion is located within the Namakwa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), designated in May 2024. It would support exports and provide a platform for further mineral processing and industrial development, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said.
Gamsberg’s existing export chain links the mine to Saldanha, identified as the export port for zinc concentrate in Vedanta’s project factsheet.
An earlier Vedanta procurement notice sought geared Supramax vessels for Black Mountain Mining’s bulk exports from Saldanha to the Far East. It envisaged approximately ten shipments of around 55 000 tonnes each between October 2025 and September 2026, with discharge ports in China and South Korea.
Further investment in zinc smelting could enable more of the mineral to be processed locally into refined metal, rather than exported as concentrate.
Government supported Vedanta’s ambition to establish smelting capacity in the Northern Cape, Ramaphosa said. However, its viability depended on competitive electricity pricing and reliable infrastructure.
“We recognise that an investment of this magnitude requires commercially viable electricity, reliable infrastructure and other enabling conditions.”
Government would need to work with Vedanta and other partners to address those requirements, he said.
The Namakwa SEZ should also be developed in conjunction with the proposed Boegoebaai port and industrial developments, initiatives around Upington and the wider Northern Cape Industrial Corridor.
Coordinated investment and implementation were needed to connect mining, manufacturing, energy and logistics, Ramaphosa said.
