Construction has begun on the first phase of the Nyanza Light Metals titanium dioxide pigment plant at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in KwaZulu-Natal, with first production targeted for the end of 2029.

Foundation piling works are already in progress at the site, Nyanza CEO, Donovan Chimhandamba confirmed to Mining Weekly on June 25 at the Coatings for Africa show in Sandton.

The $870-million Phase 1 project will process ilmenite from heavy mineral sands into titanium dioxide pigment — a product that sells for many times the price of raw ilmenite — for use in industrial coatings, architectural paints, paper and plastics.

Afreximbank and the African Finance Corporation are leading the financing, together with pan-African and local development finance institutions. East China Engineering Science and Technology Company, a subsidiary of China National Chemical Engineering Group, holds the engineering, procurement, construction and operations management contract. Firm offtake agreements are already in place.

“This endorsement affirms our mission to lead mineral beneficiation and positions Nyanza as a driver of inclusive industrialisation,” Chimhandamba said in October 2025 when the African Development Bank approved $75 million in additional financing for the project.

The plant will produce about 80,000 tonnes per year of titanium dioxide pigment at peak production, of which 15% will be sold locally and up to 85% exported.

Phase 1 construction is expected to employ about 3,000 people at its peak and create 850 permanent jobs.

A $750-million Phase 2 expansion is planned to produce lithium iron phosphate, zirconium oxychloride and fumed silica using process by-products from the first phase.

The bankable feasibility study for Phase 2 is expected to be completed in 2028, with the same engineering, procurement and construction contractor.

The second phase is expected to generate 2,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent positions.

The overall project is designed as a closed-loop industrial platform linking titanium beneficiation with downstream battery materials production.

Afreximbank and AFC will act as co-mandated lead arrangers for project development and financing, with co-development support from South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the RBIDZ.

The Nyanza plant will be the only titanium dioxide pigment facility of its kind in Africa.