Rio Tinto invests in African farming

Rio Tinto invests in African farming

Rio Tinto empowers traditional farmers on the Zululand coast of South Africa.  

Rio Tinto has entered into a two-year partnership with the Lima Rural Development Foundation (Lima) to improve the livelihoods of 200 farmers across ten Traditional Authority Areas in KwaZulu-Natal’s King Cetshwayo District.

The investment, delivered through the Rio Tinto Social Investment Fund, capitalises on Lima’s 25+ years of agricultural expertise to remove market barriers, enhance farmers’ productivity, and drive sustainable economic growth in Zululand.

Collaboration addresses farming challenges

By providing comprehensive technical support, training, and access to essential resources and markets, the programme will integrate these farmers into profitable vegetable and poultry supply chains, to strengthen their small business, and improve their livelihood.

According to Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Africa Operations and Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Managing Director Werner Duvenhage, traditional farmers along the Zululand coast, including RBM’s host communities, face considerable hurdles in accessing viable markets and modern farming methods.

“Our collaboration with Lima directly addresses these challenges and fosters meaningful and lasting improvements in the agricultural sector within our communities and beyond,” says Duvenhage.

Partnership empowers traditional farmers  

Lima Managing Director Lynette Parsons says that the programme empowers traditional farmers and strengthens rural livelihoods. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to inclusive growth and long-term community development.”

RBM is a world leader in heavy mineral sands extraction and refining. RBM mines mineral-rich sands in the northern KwaZulu-Natal province and produces materials used in a wide range of everyday products, from paints to smartphones.

Rio Tinto invests in African farming