SPECIAL FEATURE and
SPECIAL FEATURE and titanium smelter project. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is currently underway for the Southern site, where a range of projects are planned, including: Anglo American is one of the big companies involved in the Impact Catalyst initiative. Credit: Anglo American Mining is currently the most important part of the provincial economy. Recent platinum mining developments on the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex have increased this effect but although global commodity prices have been good in recent months, they can be uncertain over an extended period. One of the goals of the LDP is to see more beneficiation from the mining sector, which will support the goal of further industrialising the province’s economy. Related to this is an emphasis on the manufacturing that needs to grow. Two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at Musina and Tubatse are intended to boost manufacturing. Specific manufacturing value chains are identified for each area, based on the base mineral being mined. The LDP notes that it is also important for planners to “promote diversification and multi-skilling of the workforce, in order to mitigate the risks of shocks associated with commodity price dips and mine closures”. Special Economic Zones The Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone in the north of the province is forging ahead. The planning phase of the Northern site of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone has been completed and the provincial government has allocated R200-million to support the implementation phase. This allocation supports the installation of electricity, short-term water supply and basic security infrastructure. One of the most significant investment pledges received is from the Chinese enterprise, Shaanxi CEI Investment Holdings, which has made a commitment of -billion for a vanadium Smart city Agro-processing Timber beneficiation A Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Incubation Centre Musina Dam. A total area of 7 262ha has been designated for the SEZ, which is located 40km south of Musina and the border with Zimbabwe and 50km north of Makhado. A revised business plan for an SEZ at Tubatse in the eastern part of the province has been submitted to national government. The key element of this proposed SEZ is mineral beneficiation the servicing of the mining industry. The revitalisation of industrial parks throughout the province is ongoing. The parks at Seshego, Nkowankowa and Thohoyandou have recorded good occupancy rates with the clustering together of related businesses making supply-chain management and logistics easier for small enterprises. The focus is on the agro-processing, manufacturing, storage and recycling sectors. Marula is a fruit which has brought great benefits to the people of Limpopo. The Marula Industrial Hub will provide a platform to further exploit the tasty marula fruit, which has a high vitamin C content and is much loved by elephants. LEDET wants to see the University of Limpopo doing more research on the possible uses for the fruit, including jams and cosmetics. Facilities at the hub will include a centre for research and processing facilities to create more value from the raw product. Advisors will be available to help small-scale farmers and SMMEs enter the formal economy. The Marula initiative is consistent with the broader agricultural sector plans for Limpopo. The provincial government has identified five Agricultural Development Zones (ADZs) across the province, including the Mopani District within which the Marula Hub is located. ■ LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2021/22 18
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