The Northern Cape province has announced that over R105 billion in pledges have been made by investors in new and expanded mining, energy and agriculture projects in the Northern Cape, with an expected 19,800 new jobs to be created as a result.
The investment accords were signed at the inaugural Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference in Kimberley this week.
Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul said the new investor commitments took the province a long way toward achieving its target of growing the Northern Cape’s GDP from R164 billion to R200 billion and creating at least 60,000 new and sustainable jobs by 2030.
The mining industry investments included:
- A R17 billion commitment by Vedanta Zinc International for expansion of its Gamsberg mine, which will make it the world’s largest zinc mine, as well as for the development of a smelter in the province.
- An R11.2 billion commitment by Anglo American, which will include expansion of its Kumba Iron Ore operations in the province.
- A R2.8 billion investment by Northern Cape Protech & Agri Revolution in mining, beneficiation and agriculture.
- A R1.4 billion commitment by South32 for mining and beneficiation.
Investments announced in the province’s renewable energy sector included:
- A R30 billion investment by IPPO in the new Upington Energy Park renewable energy generation and storage facility.
- A R16.8 billion green energy production investment by ANDÓ ENERGY.
- A R13 billion commitment from Mulilo for expanded green energy production enabling industrialisation pathways in the province.
- A R12 billion investment by Prieska Power Reserve for a catalytic green hydrogen and ammonia project set to start producing in 2030.
Investments announced in the agriculture and agro-processing sectors included:
- A R1.5 billion investment by South African Atlantic Salmon for the development and enhancement of the Nama Aquaculture Park with a salmon processing facility.
- A R30 million investment by Dune Foods, which focuses on producing MannaBrew, a mesquite-based alternative to coffee.
The Premier said: “After all the deliberations of the past three days, serious commitments have been made. We assure all the corporate entities that have made these pledges that we don't take your commitments for granted.”
Northern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage, said at the conference close: “It has been a truly remarkable few days. We close with a clear pathway forward to unlock large scale investment, unlock economic inclusion and create sustainable jobs for the people of the Northern Cape.”
The three-day conference was attended by over 900 stakeholders, including government Ministers, industry leaders and prospective investors, to catalyse investment and growth opportunities in the province’s green energy, minerals and mining, agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure and logistics, and tourism sectors.
