With Gamsberg Phase II roughly doubling the mine's output, VZI is reviewing how its zinc concentrate reaches export ports. Railway capacity and affordability on the corridor to Saldanha Bay, and the condition of the route to Lüderitz, will shape how much of that cargo rail can carry.
- Vedanta Zinc International is reviewing road, railway and port options for zinc concentrate from its Gamsberg mine in the Northern Cape.
- The company currently moves all its zinc concentrate by road to the export port at Saldanha Bay.
- VZI is assessing regional export routes, including the possibility of shipping zinc through Namibia's Port of Lüderitz.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the R10 billion Gamsberg Phase II expansion on 16 October, raising annual capacity to approximately 500,000 tonnes.
- Skorpion Zinc in Namibia, with a nameplate capacity of approximately 150,000 tonnes a year of Special High-Grade zinc, has been under care and maintenance since 2020.
- VZI is the anchor investor in the Namakwa Special Economic Zone, where Vedanta plans to process zinc concentrate into refined metal.
Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) is reviewing road, railway and port options to transport increasing volumes of zinc concentrate from its Gamsberg mine in South Africa, as the company considers ways to improve outbound logistics amid growing production capacity.
The company currently transports all its zinc concentrate by road to the export port at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, citing the availability and affordability of railway capacity as the reason for not using rail.
The company said it supports efforts to improve railway utilisation and efficiency along the corridor and will continue engaging relevant stakeholders as its logistics reviews progress.
The company is also assessing regional export routes and ports, including the possibility of transporting zinc through Namibia's Port of Lüderitz.
However, VZI said any future use of the route would depend on commercial viability, the condition and availability of railway infrastructure, and port capacity.
The logistics review comes as VZI continues to pursue growth opportunities at Gamsberg while maintaining its Skorpion Zinc operation in Namibia under care and maintenance.
Skorpion Zinc has remained under care and maintenance since 2020, with the company saying affordable long-term electricity remains the key requirement for a sustainable restart.
Skorpion Zinc has a nameplate production capacity of approximately 150,000 tonnes of Special High-Grade zinc annually at full production.
VZI also declined to confirm whether it would continue shipping material from South Africa for refining once Skorpion Zinc resumes operations, saying the future operating model would be determined after a long-term power solution and supporting infrastructure are secured.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened Vedanta Zinc International’s (VZI) R10 billion Gamsberg Phase II expansion in the Northern Cape on 16 October, increasing the mine’s annual zinc production capacity to approximately 500,000 tonnes.
The expansion adds a second concentrator and roughly doubles the mine’s output, positioning Gamsberg among the world’s largest zinc-producing operations.
The investment forms part of Vedanta’s R21 billion commitment made at the 2018 South Africa Investment Conference. The company said it had invested R89 billion in its South African operations and projects since 2011.
The expansion also supports Vedanta’s plans to establish zinc smelting capacity in the Northern Cape through the Namakwa Special Economic Zone, where the company intends to process zinc concentrate into refined metal.
VZI is the anchor investor in the Namakwa Special Economic Zone, which was designated in May 2024.
The company’s broader ambition is to produce one million tonnes of zinc annually from its Southern African operations.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa.
