Rio Tinto has approved a $473m (£354.61m) investment in Richards Bay Minerals’ (RBM) Zulti South project in South Africa, bringing an end to its suspension since January 2020.

This decision is set to prolong the mine's operations until 2050, ensuring RBM's production continuity.

Currently, RBM operates out of the Zulti North lease area, which houses both a mineral separation plant and a smelting facility.

With the depletion of resources at Zulti North, the development of Zulti South becomes crucial for RBM to sustain the supply of zircon, rutile and ilmenite, and to bolster titanium dioxide sales throughout the mine's lifespan.

Rio Tinto iron & titanium Africa operations and RBM managing director Werner Duvenhage said: “Lifting the suspension on Zulti South means securing the future of RBM. This project is not about expansion; it represents our commitment to sustaining jobs and continuing to make a meaningful contribution to the province, the country and the host communities.

“The decision to proceed also reflects improved security conditions and strengthened community partnerships. The support of government, Amakhosi and host communities has been vital in getting us where we are today and establishing this stability. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the project’s continued success.”

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) will serve as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for Zulti South.

CHEC was chosen due to its track record, demonstrated through its partnership with Rio Tinto at Guinea’s Simandou project.

CHEC vice-president Wu Di said: “We are honoured to be chosen as Rio Tinto’s strategic execution partner for Zulti South. Our relationship is founded on trust, performance and shared values. We are committed to delivering a project that strengthens RBM’s future and benefits local communities.”

The construction of Zulti South is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1 2026) and be completed in 30 months.

Initial commercial production is anticipated by Q4 2028.

The project's first phase aims to support RBM's output of zircon and ilmenite, followed by a subsequent phase aligned with its long-term development plans.

In January 2026, Rio Tinto and BHP announced plans to jointly mine up to 200 million tonnes of iron ore from their adjacent Yandicoogina and Yandi sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.