Mining and quarrying

According to the provincial profile report mining and quarrying is the smallest employment sector in KwaZulu-Natal. However, the social and environmental impact of the mining industry in KwaZulu-Natal is as spectacular as its economic success.

Corobrik has its head office in Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, and regional offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.  Corobrik's roots in Kwa Zulu-Natal reach way back to 1902. Supporting Corobrik's regional offices, Corobrik operates 27 Corobrik Centres located country-wide, which together with its network of independent accredited distributors provides Corobrik with a national presence to serve the needs of its target markets.

From small beginnings Corobrik has evolved into a BEE compliant company largely through its shareholders that now also includes Corobrik's employees who own 26 percent of Corobrik through an Employee Share Trust.

From small beginnings Corobrik has evolved into a BEE compliant company largely through its shareholders that now also includes Corobrik's employees who own 26 percent of Corobrik through an Employee Share Trust.

Corobrik manages its quarrying and manufacturing processes within a sustainable development framework. Quarrying and manufacturing operations are located in rural and semi rural areas this providing long term employment opportunities to neighbouring communities. At the end of the life time of each quarry, the Environmental Management Plan provides for its rehabilitation and the reuse as a nature reserve around a pollution free dam, recreational area, landfill use or commercial/residential development.

Corobrik ascribes its long term success to its ongoing investment in superior technology, the benchmarking of its manufacturing operations in line with international best practice, the development of a broad market presence through an integrated distribution network , its considerable logistic capabilities, all managed and operated by experienced, skilled and committed employees.

Winner

Richards Bay Minerals, the world's leading mineral sands producer situated in northern Zululand, is the trading name for two registered companies, Tisand (Pty) Ltd and Richards Bay Iron and Titanium (Pty) Ltd (RBIT). Tisand is responsible for the dune mining and mineral separation operations, and RBIT the smelting and beneficiation process.

RBM uses an ingenious dredge mining operation, pioneered in Holland and Australia, to extract and separate the heavy minerals ilmenite, rutile and zircon (about 5% in volume) from the sand.

Local people benefit through RBM's acclaimed social investment programme, which has five cornerstones: job creation, education, health care, community safety and agricultural development. Through the programme many thousands of people now enjoy an improved life. The company also operates an affirmative procurement programme, RBM's support and promotion of entrepreneurship and job creation is linked to its desire to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of local people, in order to take charge of their financial destiny by starting their own business and becoming self employed.

This, combined with the billions of rands earned in foreign exchange, which helps create thousands of jobs throughout South Africa, RBM creates a brighter future for all.