NORTHERN CAPE (South Africa), March 1 (NNN-SANEWS) — Pres Cyril Ramaphosa is confident that Vedanta Resources Limited’s investment at its Gamsberg zinc mine is a step in the right direction towards changing the fortunes of the Northern Cape.
Speaking at the opening of the mine, located near Aggeneys in the Northern Cape, Ramaphosa said Indian-owned Vedanta has heeded South Africa’s call at the inaugural South Africa Investment Conference, in October, calling for investment.
“We are here to say ‘thank you’ to Vedanta for the enthusiasm with which you have embraced our ambitious investment drive. It is gratifying to see the commitments made at the Investment Conference taking form and shape across our country,” said the President on Thursday.
The President thanked the company for its investment in one of the most sparsely populated provinces in the country. The Northern Cape contributes just 2% of South Africa’s GDP and has an expanded unemployment rate of around 39%.
“Mining offers an opportunity to fundamentally change this,” he said of the province that is rich in manganese, iron ore and diamonds.
“Yet, this province remains underdeveloped,” he said, adding that mining in the area can greatly improve employment prospects in the province.
He said it is important to increase investment in mineral beneficiation.
“In this regard, the proposed creation of a smelter-refinery complex in Gamsberg will create opportunities for value-adding zinc beneficiation in the Khai-Ma municipality and beyond,” he said.
The President, who earlier in the day toured the US$400 million facility, together with Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas, among others — said he was impressed with the levels of skills on display at the mine.
“The investments that have already been made here, when taken together with the anticipated investments in further phases, will improve South Africa’s position as a global player in zinc production.
“Most importantly, this investment will change the economic landscape of this region and will contribute to much-needed social development,” he said.
Last year, Vedanta spent RR44 million on training and social projects aimed at skills development, health, enterprise development and municipal infrastructure support.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Vedanta, Anil Argawal, spoke highly of the ease of doing business in the South African mining sector.
The company is targeting to include 30% of women in its operations at the mine in the next three years. — NNN-SANEWS