EMPANGENI, South Africa, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Tronox Limited (NYSE: TROX) today announced that it has been notified by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, or KZN DAEA, of the dismissal of several appeals against the Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the company’s Fairbreeze mine in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
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Tronox was granted the EA in July 2012. The important positive appeal decision by the KZN DAEA confirms that Tronox may continue to undertake construction activities, subject to conditions on its mining area.
Tronox is pleased with this outcome as it brings it one step closer to successfully obtaining all required authorisations to build and operate Fairbreeze. The department’s decision confirms that the mining project is firmly grounded on the sustainability principles of the South African environmental legislation. Tronox continues to stress the importance of an open and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders so that a mutually beneficial long-term relationship can be established. Previously, Tronox successfully countered other appeals and recently successfully defended its early construction works against an interdict application brought by the Mtunzini Conservancy in the Durban High Court. The company remains
hopeful that all parties will now realise that there is no benefit in further opposing its Fairbreeze project and instead recognize the benefits of cooperative engagement.
When operational, the Fairbreeze mine will preserve more than 1,000 permanent and contractor positions and create an additional 1,000 indirect jobs during the construction phase of the project. Approximately ZAR530 million will be spent annually on services and products, with more than half spent with black economic empowerment (BEE) companies.
Currently, the early-phase construction activities are proceeding according to plan. Once in operation the Fairbreeze mine is expected to yield 190,000 metric tons of titanium dioxide ore and 60,000 metric tons of zircon over a 12-year period.
Tronox is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability in all aspects of its business operations. The company has included environmental sustainability considerations in its plan for Fairbreeze and has begun the rehabilitation of its Hillendale mine, which Fairbreeze is designed to replace.
About Tronox
Tronox is a global leader in the production and marketing of titanium bearing mineral sands and titanium dioxide pigment. Through the integration of its pigment and mineral sands business, the company provides its customers a dependable supply of brightening solutions for a variety of end uses. For more information, visit https://www.tronox.com.
South Africa Contact:
Natalie Keegan
Tel: +27 35 902 7840
Email: natalie.keegan@za.tronox.com
Media Contact: Bud Grebey
Direct: +1.203.705.3721
Email: bud.grebey@tronox.com
Investor Contact: Brennen Arndt
Direct: +1.203.705.3722
SOURCE Tronox Limited
