Diversified major Rio Tinto initiated processes to resume operations at South Africa-based Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) at the end of December.

This followed discussions, led by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, which included all stakeholders and focused on securing stability so as to address community grievances and instil the stable environment needed to resume operations.

As reported in Mining Weekly in early December, Rio Tinto had announced that it would curtail operations at RBM to uphold the safety and security of its employees following an escalation in violence by the communities surrounding the RBM operations.

Criminal activity towards RBM employees had escalated, culminating with one employee shot and seriously injured. Consequently, all mining operations at RBM were halted, with the smelters operating at a reduced level, with a minimal number of employees present on site.

A phased restart was implemented, whereby RBM expected to return to full operation in early January, and a return to regular production in early 2020.

Rio Tinto contacted customers, previously advised of a force majeure in its supply, to report that it had been lifted. Rio Tinto also mentioned that it would review the restart of the Zulti South project following normalised operations at RBM.

 “The safety and security of our people is always our first priority and we are pleased that we will now be able to get back to work creating value for our people, our communities, South Africa and RBM’s shareholders,” Rio Tinto energy and minerals CEO Bold Baatar noted in a December release.

He added that the company thanks the South African government and the Premier for their support and assistance in enabling a position where the restart of operations at RBM was feasible. “I would also acknowledge the work of community leaders and the police over the previous few weeks.”

As previously advised by the company, titanium dioxide slag production for 2019 is now expected to be at the bottom end of 2019 guidance of between 1.2-million tons and 1.4-million tons, owing to the impact on production.