Name of the Project
Titanium beneficiation complex.

Location
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) Phase 1F, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Titanium dioxide pigment manufacturer Nyanza Light Metals. Arkein and DBF are the project sponsors.

Project Description
The project entails the development of a multiphase industrial platform linking ilmenite beneficiation with downstream battery and advanced-materials production.

The first phase is a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment project. The main plant will process ilmenite produced from heavy-mineral-sands mining to manufacture about 80 000 t/y of TiO₂ pigment for industrial coatings, architectural paints, paper and plastics. About 15% of output is expected to be sold locally and up to 85% exported.

The first phase also includes a sulphuric acid plant, an 8 MW cogeneration power plant and other utility plants. The plant is expected to consume about 300 000 t/y of sulphuric acid and 200 000 t/y of sulphate ilmenite.

A R200-million product testing and development centre, with capacity to produce about 700 t/y of TiO₂ pigment, has been commissioned for customer and market development. The centre will also be used to train more than 200 graduates, operators and artisans for the main plant.

A second-phase, $750-million downstream expansion is planned to integrate with the TiO₂ operation and use process by-products to produce lithium iron phosphate, zirconium oxychloride and fumed silica. The expansion is being designed as a closed-loop, high-value industrial materials platform.

Potential Job Creation
About 3 000 people are expected to be employed at the peak of first-phase construction, with 850 permanent jobs created once the TiO₂ plant is operational.

The second phase is expected to create about 2 000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure for the first-phase TiO₂ project is estimated at $870-million. Afreximbank and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), together with pan-African and South African development finance institutions, are financing the project.

The planned second phase downstream expansion is estimated at $750-million. Afreximbank and AFC are acting as co-mandated lead arrangers and will co-develop the expansion with South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation, with support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the RBIDZ.

Planned Start/End Date
The targeted date for the start of TiO₂ production is the end of 2029.

The bankable feasibility study for the second-phase battery-materials and advanced-chemicals project is expected to be completed in 2028.

Latest Developments
Foundation piling for the first-phase plant started in June 2026.

Nyanza has confirmed that firm offtake agreements are in place. East China Engineering Science and Technology Company, a subsidiary of China National Chemical Engineering Group Company, is undertaking engineering, procurement, construction and operations management.

The second-phase project has entered the bankable feasibility study stage and is expected to progress using the same contractor.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
East China Engineering Science and Technology Company (engineering, procurement, construction and operations management). Afreximbank and Africa Finance Corporation are co-mandated lead arrangers for project development and financing.

Contact Details for Project Information
Nyanza Light Metals, tel +27 11 684 1286 or email info@nyanzametals.com.