Ilmenite, natural rutile and zircon are transported to the Smelter by rail from an open-pit mine and concentration plant in Brand-se-Baai. The ilmenite is processed in furnaces to produce saleable titanium dioxide slag and pig iron, while the zircon and natural rutile is stored on site for export. Final products are dispatched globally to either Tronox’s pigment operations or third-party customers either in bulk, bags or containers via the port of Saldanha – 150 kilometers north of Cape Town. Namakwa Sands products also support South African industries.

Date facilities began operation:
1994

Products/services (capacity):
Rutile (31,000 MT)
Slag (190,000 MT)
Zircon (135,000 MT)
Pig Iron (100,000 MT)

Approximate of employees (Northern Operations and Smelter):
1,040

Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality:
Both Namakwa Sands sites have ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for quality and environmental management, respectively. Their OHSAS 18001 accreditation indicates that they also meet or exceed the minimum requirements for occupational health and safety management best practices, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series.