THE new Tronox Fairbreeze mine outside Mtunzini, which was conceived more than 20 years ago, has delivered its first load of titanium rich ore.
Construction on the 419-hectare site began in 2013 and will conclude in mid-2016.
‘Fairbreeze delivered its first product ahead of schedule and the construction has been achieved within budget,’ the company said in a media release.
‘Tronox attributes these accomplishments to cooperation between a dedicated skilled workforce and a diligent owner-managed project team.’
The Fairbreeze mine replaces the Tronox Hillendale mine in Gobandlovu, which was decommissioned in December 2013.
‘During the two-year period when mining was halted, Tronox retained more than 1 000 jobs for local workers.
‘The Hillendale rehabilitation project has shown to be successful using the current methods and planting will continue in 2016.
‘Roughly 95 percent of all shaping of mined areas has been completed, and 90 percent of the mine has been planted to green manures.
‘The external experts monitoring the rehab process are pleased with the results to date.’
Transition
Tronox is in the process of transitioning the operational management of the site from a construction project to a fully operational mining and mineral separation complex.
‘The mine will provide minerals which Tronox processes into titanium dioxide, a pigment used in paints, plastics and other everyday products.
‘Fairbreeze will also produce rutile, zircon, and leucoxene, all of which are exported to global markets.
‘When fully operational, the mine is forecast to generate a significant foreign exchange benefit to the South African economy.
The commissioning phase of the processing plant and peripheral infrastructure will continue into the first quarter of 2016.
Construction of certain elements of the mine complex will continue into the second half of the year, but has been planned so that full production can begin earlier in 2016.
Upon completion of construction, the focus will shift to construction closeout, and it is planned that the closeout phase of the project will be complete by the end of 2016.
