Vedanta, India’s leading diversified natural resources company with interests in oil and gas, zinc-lead-silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and power, is set to expand its footprint in Africa. It has a long-standing presence in Africa and has invested more than $4 billion in its African operations since 2004. Currently, the company mines copper in Zambia, produces zinc and lead concentrate at Black Mountain Mining (BMM) in South Africa, and zinc metal at Skorpion Zinc in Namibia.
Recently, Vedanta kick-started it’s Gamsberg zinc project at BMM with a capital investment of $400 million. Gamsberg, which is in the Northern Cape, holds one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc sulphide deposits, with approximately 160 Mt of defined ore resources.
“The true scale of business opportunities in Africa has not yet been explored, particularly in South Africa’s rich natural resources sector,” Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Resources said. “I am certain that this visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi heralds an even more prosperous future for India and the African continent.”
For a natural resources company like Vedanta, South Africa offers a unique opportunity with its wealth of diverse natural resources. “We are committed to expanding our operations here and will continue to invest in our greenfield project at Gamsberg,” added Agarwal. “We already have a significant presence in South Africa and are well placed to help realise the vision of our Prime Minister of shared growth between India and South Africa in the future.”
Agarwal announced that the group will be signing two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with South African companies when he visits South Africa as part of the delegation accompanying the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These MoUs are for the development and supply of equipment and the transfer of technology, with the aim of improving safety and productivity at the mechanised underground mines of Vedanta’s subsidiary, Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL).
Some 125 South Africans work on various HZL sites across India and Vedanta has awarded projects worth almost $300 million to at least seven companies based in South Africa to date.
Vedanta believes that its Gamsberg project together with its investment in technology and innovation with local partners will contribute significantly to improving the livelihoods of local communities in both India and South Africa.
The Gamsberg project represents a significant opportunity to grow the local economy and create jobs while remaining committed to a long-term plan to rehabilitate a region rich in biodiversity. Gamsberg is located in the ecologically sensitive Succulent Karoo Biome, which represents one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hot spots, according to Conservation International.
