Ramaphosa opens Gamsberg Phase II as Northern Cape zinc mine promises 1,000 jobs
The expansion lifts Gamsberg's zinc-in-concentrate capacity to about 500,000 tonnes a year and is billed as one of the largest mining investments in South Africa in the past decade.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will inaugurate Vedanta Zinc International’s Gamsberg Phase II Expansion in Khâi-Ma Local Municipality in the Namakwa District, Northern Cape, on Friday, 16 October 2026.
The Presidency media advisory, published by the South African Government (www.gov.za), states that the expansion increases Gamsberg’s annual zinc-in-concentrate capacity to approximately 500,000 tonnes per annum. It is described in the advisory as among the largest mining investments in South Africa in the past decade, and as positioning Gamsberg to become one of the world’s largest zinc-producing operations.
The document states that the expansion is expected to sustain between 800 and 1,000 jobs during operations, predominantly recruited from the Northern Cape. Those figures are the government’s own, carried as the advisory gives them.
The inauguration is themed “Partnerships for Progress” and, according to the advisory, marks a milestone in Vedanta Zinc International’s long-term commitment to South Africa while highlighting collaboration between government, business, employees and communities in advancing inclusive growth and regional development.
Media covering the event are scheduled for a tour of the Gamsberg Mine at Aggeneys on Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 15h00, ahead of the main event on Friday, 16 October 2026 at 09h00. Accreditation applications are handled through the government’s online accreditation form.
Enquiries are directed to the Northern Cape Premier’s Office through Head of Provincial Government Communication Services Mr Monwabisi Nkompela, to Vedanta through Acting Chief Corporate Affairs Ms Tracey Vollmer, and to the Presidency through spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
This report is drawn from the government’s media advisory rather than the full project record. The advisory does not state the value of the investment, the construction timeline, the number of jobs created during the build phase, or the terms of any agreement between Vedanta and government. The South African Government (www.gov.za) advisory is available at https://www.gov.za/news/media-advisories/government-activities/president-cyril-ramaphosa-inaugurates-vedanta-gamsberg.
