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Gamsberg will exploit one of the largest known, undeveloped zinc ore
bodies in the world and will comprise an open pit mine and a dedicated
processing plant. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 28 February
2019, officially opened Vedanta Zinc International¡¦s Gamsberg Mine near
Aggeneys in the Northern Cape.
Aggeneys is a mining centre located between Springbok and Pofadder in South
Africa¡¦s largest and most sparsely populated province.
Vedanta Resources Limited is a globally diversified natural resources
company, the largest in India and sixth-largest in the world. The new mine
is part of Vedanta¡¦s Black Mountain Mining (BMM) operations and is located
about 30km from BMM¡¦s base at Aggeneys.
In the context of improved trade relations between South Africa and India
and on the back of South Africa¡¦s inaugural Investment Conference, President
Ramaphosa said during the Business Forum on the occasion of South Africa¡¦s
State Visit to India: ¡§South Africa recognises and appreciates Vedanta
Resources¡¦ investment of US$1,6 billion (R21,8 billion) in the Gamsberg zinc
mine in the Northern Cape, of which US$400 million has already been spent.
This investment by Vedanta has triggered a new wave of industrial and
economic development in our country¡¨.
The first phase of the zinc mine, which has an estimated lifespan of over 30
years, is an investment of US$400 million (over R5,5 billion), which
employed more than 3 000 people at the height of construction.
Around 700 people will be employed permanently, once Gamsberg is in
production.
A further US$400-million investment is planned for the second phase as part
of a total investment plan, including future projects, estimated at over a
billion US dollars.
The new Vedanta venture constitutes the basis for an economic node that will
benefit the Northern Cape province as a whole.
The company has invested over R44 million in skills development, education,
health and enterprise development and municipal infrastructure support
projects in the area. Vedanta also supports and prioritises local
procurement, creating positive spinoffs for small and medium enterprises in
the area. |
