Rio Tinto ends force majeure at South African mineral sands subsidiary

Diversified miner Rio Tinto has lifted the force majeure on customer contracts at its South African mineral sands subsidiary Richards Bay Minerals, or RBM, the company said March 18.

The force majeure was declared on June 30, 2021, following a deterioration in the security situation around the mine.

Rio Tinto, which owns a 74% controlling interest in RBM, restarted operations in August 2021 following the stabilization of the security situation around the mine but kept the force majeure in place.

"We must all remain vigilant and continue to strengthen our partnership with government and community stakeholders," said Sinead Kaufman, chief executive minerals at Rio Tinto.

RBM faced a number of security issues due to protests and escalating violence in the communities surrounding the operations in 2019. RBM General Manager for operational services Nico Swart, was shot and killed in May 2021 while traveling to work at the mineral sands operation.

The company's $463 million Zulti South mining expansion project, which was approved by Rio Tinto in April 2019, has remained on full suspension since the issues in 2019. The company said that the Zulti South project would sustain Richards Bay Minerals' current zircon and ilmenite capacity, and extend the life of the mine.

RBM predominantly produces rutile, zircon, titania slag and high purity iron, which have a wide range of uses and applications.