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Noel Pillay

Noel Pillay is chief operating officer for Africa at South32, the Johannesburg- and Sydney-listed diversified mining company, with particular responsibility for its Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. In this role he oversees South32's largest South African asset, the southern hemisphere's biggest aluminium smelter, and leads engagement with State-owned power utility Eskom on securing a long-term, lower-carbon electricity solution for Hillside once its current contract expires in 2031. Pillay has been a prominent spokesperson for South32 on energy transition issues in the South African aluminium sector, speaking at industry events such as the Aluminium Federation of South Africa's International Aluminium Conference on topics including decarbonisation, downstream beneficiation and the economic contribution of the aluminium industry. He played a central role in communicating South32's 2026 agreement to sell its Hillside Aluminium business, along with other aluminium, alumina and bauxite assets, to Alcoa Corporation for up to $5.6-billion, affirming that Alcoa, as a dedicated upstream aluminium producer, was well positioned to continue supporting local jobs, communities and the broader South African economy. He has also represented South32 in community-facing initiatives, including the handover of a fire station built in partnership with the eMalahleni local municipality near Glencore Coal's Ferrobank operations, in his capacity overseeing community and regulatory affairs. Pillay has highlighted Hillside's role as Eskom's single largest industrial customer, its contribution to grid stability through baseload demand, and its downstream support to local beneficiators such as Hulamin and Bingelela Alloys. He featured prominently at Hillside's thirtieth-anniversary celebrations in 2026, alongside South32 CEO Graham Kerr and President Cyril Ramaphosa, where he emphasised the smelter's social investment programmes and continued importance to South Africa's industrial economy.

Noel Pillay News


South Africa's large Hillside Aluminium in Richards Bay.
South African aluminium assets’ sale to Alcoa on track, South32 reports
6th November 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The sale of South Africa’s aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa Corporation of the US remains on track for completion in the June 2027 half-year, Johannesburg-, Sydney- and London-listed South32... 


South Africa's large Hillside Aluminium in Richards Bay.
South African aluminium assets' sale to Alcoa on track, South32 reports
19th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The sale of South Africa’s aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa Corporation of the US remains on track for completion in the June 2027 half-year, Johannesburg-, Sydney- and London-listed South32... 


Glencore Coal, eMalahleni municipality hand over fire station in Ferrobank
18th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Miner Glencore Coal, in partnership with the eMalahleni local municipality, has handed over a new, fully-equipped fire station in Ferrobank, Kwa-Guqa. The about R18.6-million project was initiated... 


South32 COO Africa Noel Pillay.
Alcoa is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium, says Pillay
17th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

As a global producer of materials across the aluminium value chain, Alcoa Corporation is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium business into the future, South32 COO Africa... 


South Africa's Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal.
South32 deal enabling Alcoa to surpass Rio as world’s biggest bauxite miner
2nd July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

With the acquisition of South32’s aluminium assets, Alcoa will surpass Rio Tinto to become the world's largest bauxite mining company on an equity-attributable production basis, with global share... 


South32 COO Africa Noel Pillay.
Alcoa is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium, says Pillay
1st July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

As a global producer of materials across the aluminium value chain, Alcoa Corporation is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium business into the future, South32 COO Africa... 


The Hillside smelter
Hillside marks 30 years amid push for long-term power solution
8th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Diversified miner South32’s Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, could continue operating for another 20 to 30 years if a competitive long-term electricity agreement is... 


Hillside Aluminium Smelter in KwaZulu Natal.
New electricity solution being advanced for South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium
28th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

A new, long-term electricity solution for South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium Smelter in KwaZulu Natal has been advanced, which marks a crucial step towards supporting the future of one of Southern... 


 AFSA International Aluminium Conference 2026 Concludes with Groundbreaking Insights and Global Collaboration
AFSA International Aluminium Conference 2026 Concludes with Groundbreaking Insights and Global Collaboration
2nd March 2026

The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA) proudly announces the successful conclusion of the AFSA International Aluminium Conference 2026, held on 25–26 February at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton.... 


South32 COO Noel Pillay
Aluminium poised to support low-carbon future, support energy transition
25th February 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aluminium is going to be very important going forward, supporting a low-carbon future for the planet, which is why it is so advantageous for South Africa to have an upstream smelter in the country... 


Aluminium smelting is electricity intensive.
South32, Eskom jointly exploring post-2031 power options for Hillside Aluminium
23rd January 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Studies being undertaken on the future power source for South32’s Hillside Aluminium beyond 2031 are taking place amid awareness of the different energy levers that can potentially be pulled. The... 


Aluminium smelting is electricity intensive.
South32, Eskom jointly exploring post-2031 power options for Hillside Aluminium
19th December 2025 By: Martin Creamer

Studies being undertaken on the future power source for South32’s Hillside Aluminium beyond 2031 are taking place amid awareness of the different energy levers that can potentially be pulled. The... 


Aluminium product from the Hillside smelter
Hillside lifts South32 production, while Mozal shuttering hangs in the balance
28th August 2025 By: Donna Slater

With power price and purchase agreements to power its Mozal Aluminium smelter in Mozambique in limbo, diversified metals producer South32 CEO Graham Kerr says the company’s sister operation in... 


Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal.
Hillside Aluminium contribution highlighted following power price agreement scrutiny
9th May 2025 By: Martin Creamer

The electricity pricing agreement for Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal reflects the South African government’s policy to support strategic industries that create value for the nation, South32... 


South Africa's aluminium needs to be decarbonised.
South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium continuing to go all out to decarbonise – South32
28th February 2025 By: Martin Creamer

While ‘high-carbon’ is the value-lowering label being put on aluminium from South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal, the Sydney-, Johannesburg- and London-listed South32 benefits from... 


South Africa's aluminium needs to be decarbonised.
South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium continuing to go all out to decarbonise – South32
13th February 2025 By: Martin Creamer

While ‘high-carbon’ is the value-lowering label being put on aluminium from South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal, the Sydney-, Johannesburg- and London-listed South32 benefits from... 


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pqt: 0.061s - ct: 0.108s - 245pq - 2rq
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