President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to officially inaugurate the Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) Gamsberg Phase II expansion project on Friday, 16 October 2026, in Aggeneys, Khâi-Ma Local Municipality, Northern Cape. The event marks a major milestone in one of South Africa’s largest mining investments in recent years.
The expansion is described by The Presidency as boosting the annual zinc-in-concentrate capacity at Gamsberg to about 500,000 tonnes, more than doubling the current output. Vedanta Zinc International confirms the project will increase ore mining capacity from 4 million to up to 8.5 million tonnes per annum, depending on the source. The upgrade aims to strengthen the region’s role in the global zinc market.
The project has been underway since early 2022, with the official groundbreaking led by Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul in August 2022. Mining Weekly reported that by June 2025, the approved capital expenditure for Phase II stood at around US$466 million, underscoring the scale of this multi-year investment within the Namakwa Special Economic Zone.
Vedanta projects the Phase II expansion will create significant employment opportunities. During construction, between 2,000 and 2,500 jobs are expected to be available, while operational roles at peak production could sustain between 800 and 1,000 permanent positions. The majority of recruitment will focus on residents from the Northern Cape, supporting local economic development.
Speaking at a government communication, The Presidency highlighted the significance of the project, describing it as “among the largest mining investments in South Africa in the past decade.” Vedanta Zinc International emphasised that the expansion’s increased capacity will greatly enhance South Africa’s zinc production capabilities, adding value to the country’s mining sector.
The inauguration at Aggeneys will consolidate the Northern Cape’s position as a critical mining hub. Zinc extracted and processed from Gamsberg is vital for various industries, including galvanising steel and battery production, making this project strategically important for both the provincial and national economy.
While exact figures on ore processing capacity and metal-in-concentrate output vary slightly between sources, the overall impact and scale remain undisputed. The project represents a substantial commitment to boosting local mining infrastructure and employment in a region often challenged by economic disparities.
Cape Flats News will continue to monitor developments post-inauguration, including further economic impacts on the Northern Cape community and job creation progress. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from Vedanta and government sources.