| Mon 14 Apr 2003, 14:07 | | Ticor South Africa"s First Furnace Starts Producti |
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Kumba Resources Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Share code: KMB ISIN : ZAE 4034310
(Registration number 2000/011076/06)
("Kumba" or the "company")
Telephone : + 27 (12) 307 4843 P.O. Box 9229
Telefax : + 27 (12) 307 4080 PRETORIA 0001
14 April 2003
TICOR SOUTH AFRICA"S FIRST FURNACE STARTS PRODUCTION
Kumba Resources Limited ("Kumba") and Ticor Limited ("Ticor") today announced
that the first furnace of the jointly owned Ticor South Africa smelter situated
at Empangeni has achieved a commissioning milestone with its initial production
of titanium slag.
"It is still early days but the tapping of the first slag paves the way for the
commissioning of the rest of the plant, including the slag treatment plant,
metal treatment plant, and the low manganese pig iron (LMPI) caster," said Wim
de Klerk, general manager of Kumba"s heavy minerals business unit.
"As the contractor responsible for the smelter construction, Kumba has
demonstrated its ability to bring major and complex projects of this nature on
stream.
"The achievement this weekend of the tapping of the initial slag from our first
furnace is a significant step in the commissioning process," De Klerk added.
Kumba and Ticor respectively own 60% and 40% of Ticor South Africa. Kumba"s
50,12% ownership of Ticor effectively provides Kumba with an 80% ownership of
the Empangeni operation.
Ticor South Africa successfully commissioned the Hillendale mine and the mineral
separation plant during 2002. The construction and commissioning of the first
furnace of the smelter will complete the first stage of the project. The second
stage of the project will be the addition of a second furnace.
"The first furnace will ramp-up to full production over the next 18 months and
will, in conjunction with the second furnace which is currently under
construction, enable us to meet our supply contracts," said Rod Ruston, Ticor
Limited"s managing director.
"Ticor and Kumba"s decision to go ahead with construction of the second furnace
is based on support from the market together with considerable economic benefit
that a second furnace brings to the project," said Ruston.
The smelter supports Kumba"s intention to become one of the world"s foremost
players in the heavy minerals industry. With the two furnaces in full operation,
Ticor South Africa will produce 250 000 tonnes of titanium slag and 140 000
tonnes of pig iron per year.
Demand for titanium dioxide is growing. Global consumption increased at an
average rate of 2,5% per year between 1988 and 2002 and it is projected that
this rate of growth will continue over the next five years.
ends
Note
KUMBA RESOURCES LIMITED
Kumba Resources Limited, one of the largest South African-based mining companies
listed on the JSE Securities Exchange, is a focused metals and mining company
with a diverse commodity portfolio consisting of iron ore, heavy minerals, coal,
base metals and industrial minerals. www.kumbaresources.com
TICOR LIMITED
Ticor Limited is a titanium dioxide company listed on the Australian Stock
Exchange. Ticor Limited has a 50:50 interest with Kerr McGee in the Tiwest joint
venture. The Tiwest project is situated along the west coast of Australia where
a dune deposit is mined for ilmenite for conversion to synthetic rutile, which
is used for the manufacture of titanium dioxide pigment in a plant owned by the
joint venture. www.ticor.com.au
TICOR SOUTH AFRICA
Ticor South Africa is jointly owned by Ticor Limited (40%) and Kumba Resources
Limited (60%). The company is situated at Empangeni and currently consists of
the Hillendale mine, a mineral separation plant and a smelter being constructed
to process ilmenite, rutile and zircon heavy minerals.
www.ticor-sa.com
For media relations enquiries, please contact:
Pat Mdoda
General Manager: Corporate Affairs
Tel: 012 - 307-4553
Mobile: 083 609 1204
For investor relations enquiries, please contact:
Trevor Arran
General Manager: Investor Relations
Tel: 012 - 307-3292
Mobile: 083 609 1444
