LTA Autecon Advances SMPP Works at Namakwa Sands OFS Project

 LTA Autecon

Structural, mechanical, piping installation on track for November 2024 completion

Safety-first execution supports Tronox’s titanium feedstock production in South Africa

LTA Autecon’s Metals & Minerals division is progressing steadily on SMPP works at Tronox’s Namakwa Sands East OFS project.

Awarded in November 2023, the contract covers supply, fabrication, delivery, and installation of structural steel, mechanical systems, platework, and both plant and overland piping at the Brand-se-Baai site in South Africa’s Western Cape.

The scope includes 700 tonnes of structural steel, 1,000 tonnes of conveyor steel, and 530 tonnes of platework.

It also features over 24,500 meters of overland piping—delivered under tight logistical conditions due to the site’s remote location. Tandem lifts and phased commissioning deadlines have been met, with full plant commissioning targeted by November 2024.

The Namakwa Sands project plays a key role in Tronox’s production of titanium dioxide feedstocks and zircon.

LTA Autecon’s work supports a future throughput increase for chloride and sulphate-grade TiO₂ production. The successful delivery of this SMPP scope will help Tronox sustain feedstock supply for global pigment and ceramics markets.

Safety remains central, with over 500,000 man-hours recorded without a lost-time injury.

LTA Autecon’s adherence to its "Home Without Harm" ethos aligns with Tronox’s demand for operational excellence in safety, health, and environmental responsibility. This alignment helped secure the SMPP contract and positions LTA Autecon for future mining infrastructure projects across Africa.

ScrapInsight Editorial Commentary:

The SMPP progress at Namakwa Sands signals robust upstream investment in heavy mineral sands, essential for TiO₂, zircon, and rare metal markets. For scrap processors, growing demand for high-purity iron and titanium feedstocks may tighten regional scrap availability and boost premium pricing. LTA Autecon’s performance also reflects how safety, systems integration, and logistical competence increasingly define project success in African mining.