Tronox mines and processes titanium ore, zircon and other minerals, and manufactures titanium dioxide pigments that add brightness and durability to paints, plastics, paper, and other everyday products.

Tronox is quite unique among its peers, in that it is the only fully integrated mineral sands producer. Of the seven ilmenite smelters in the world, Tronox remains the only company which further processes the smelter slag to produce final saleable products (Titanium pigment). Our feedstock production also exceeds our current pigment demand; hence a portion of our final products are sold externally.

Tronox Holding plc recently completed its acquisition of the titanium dioxide business of the National Titanium Dioxide Company Limited, previously known as Cristal, becoming one of the world’s leading producers of high quality titanium dioxide and zircon. This highly synergistic combination positions Tronox to increase production and competitively meet demand in global markets. Tronox will be the second largest TiO2 pigment producer, the second largest mineral sands producer, one of the world’s largest producers of zircon and one of the world’s largest purchasers of high-grade feedstock.

With nearly 7000 employees across six continents, our rich diversity, unmatched vertical integration model, and unparalleled operational and technical expertise across the value chain, position Tronox as the pre-eminent titanium dioxide producer in the world. Our operations in South Africa’s Western Cape include a mine in Brand Se Baai, a Mineral Separation Plant in Vredendal and a smelter in Saldhana. In KwaZulu Natal (KZN), we have a mine in Fairbreeze and a Central Processing Complex in Empangeni.

“An outward mindset allows us to see beyond ourselves and be accountable for the whole,” said Mpho Mothoa, managing director of Tronox operations in South Africa. “We believe that our business can and should play a leadership role in improving the quality of life in communities in which we operate”.

Tronox continuously empowers local communities by helping community members establish businesses. Some of the business we have helped set-up, are now our contractors and supply equipment and services required in our operational processes.

Tronox believes that these efforts promote the long-term interests of all our stakeholders, including employees, customers, business partners, investors, local communities, government, and the mining and minerals industries at large. “We honour our responsibility to create value for stakeholders,”said Mothoa.

Recently, we made a major investment of R3,3 billion in the KZN economy with the opening of the Fairbreeze mine, significantly increasing our exports. Most of the 4200 contractors used in the construction phase were locals from the area, allowing for the stimulation of the local economy. The opening of this mine and future planned projects both in Western Cape and in KZN, has shown Tronox’s long-term commitment in South Africa.

Tronox also believes in long term sustainability in the areas in which we mine, therefore one of our primary focus areas will always be the rehabilitation of land on which we have mined. This is in line with one of our values, which is to do the right work, the right way, in every aspect of our business.

Tronox have successfully imprinted their environ mentally friendly footprint on Hillendale mine (Hillendale) in KZN, by successfully rehabilitating the land previously mined. The rehabilitation of Hillendale has now become a showcase to other plants around the world, for the successful rehabilitation of approximately 452 hectares of land.

The life of Hillendale spanned from 2001 until mine closure at the end of 2013. The conditions of the Environmental Impact Assessment in terms of rehabilitation and mine closure, were based on key objectives and operational requirements to enable Tronox to successfully rehabilitate land back to indigenous trees, grasses and eucaluptus trees.

The key objectives used during the rehabilitation process included safe and healthy post mining environment; consideration of economically viable and sustainable post mining land use; limited residual environmental impact and; optimal post mining social opportunities. The achievement of all these activities enabled us to meet the mine closure requirements. Local communities surrounding the mine and businesses benefitted immensely from the rehabilitation process of Hillendale, through job creation and sustained local economy.

Hillendale to date has been 100 % rehabilitated, to a combination planting of indigenous trees, grasses and eucaluptus trees. The civil designed storm water canals have been constructed and drop off structures are in place and in addition, the residue dam flood management structures have been constructed.

The wall of the return water dam has been breached, and the dam wall has been broken through, allowing run off water from other areas to drain freely, which reduces the risk of open water that could potentially lead to drownings.

The Primary Wet Plant footprint has been rehabilitated, and all scrap has been disposed of.