Vedanta Ltd has committed $600 million to expand its zinc production in South Africa, marking one of the largest mining investments in the country this decade. The investment focuses on the Gamsberg mine in Northern Cape, operated by Vedanta Zinc International. With this expansion, the mine’s annual capacity will rise to 500,000 tonnes, helping Vedanta achieve its ambitious target of 3 million tonnes of zinc production annually across India and South Africa.
The company plans to produce 2 million tonnes through Hindustan Zinc Ltd in India and 1 million tonnes through its South African operations. This expansion is part of Vedanta’s earlier ZAR 21 billion ($1.5 billion) commitment made at the 2018 South Africa Investment Conference.
The inauguration of the second phase of the Gamsberg mine was attended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vedanta director Priya Agarwal-Hebbar. Ramaphosa welcomed the investment, highlighting its importance for industrial growth and job creation. He also expressed support for Vedanta’s ambition to establish zinc smelting capacity in the region.
Zinc plays a crucial role in construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries, especially in galvanisation, which protects steel from corrosion. Vedanta’s expansion not only strengthens its global market position but also reflects its commitment to building a strong industrial hub in South Africa.