Vedanta Limited has doubled its annual zinc production capacity in South Africa to 500,000 tonnes following an investment of nearly $600 million in the Gamsberg Phase II expansion project. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vedanta Limited Director Priya Agarwal-Hebbar inaugurated the expanded facility in the Northern Cape province.The Gamsberg mine, operated by Vedanta Zinc International (VZI), is among the world's significant zinc deposits. The expansion represents one of South Africa's largest mining investments of the decade and strengthens Vedanta's position in the global zinc market.The company aims to achieve annual zinc production of 3 million tonnes across India and South Africa. Of this, subsidiary Hindustan Zinc Limited is expected to contribute 2 million tonnes, while Vedanta Zinc International targets 1 million tonnes annually.Zinc plays a critical role in infrastructure development, particularly through galvanisation, which protects steel against corrosion and extends its service life. Growing demand from construction, automotive and manufacturing industries is supporting investments in zinc production capacity.The Gamsberg expansion forms part of Vedanta's ZAR 21 billion (approximately $1.5 billion) investment commitment announced at the 2018 South Africa Investment Conference. The project also reflects strengthening economic cooperation between India and South Africa, particularly in mining and industrial development.Speaking at the inauguration, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, We have come to celebrate an investment that has moved from commitment to construction, and from construction to production. We welcome Vedanta’s ambition to establish zinc smelting capacity in the Northern Cape. Government must work with Vedanta and other partners to address their requirements.Priya Agarwal-Hebbar, Director, Vedanta Limited, and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc, emphasised the company's commitment to developing a major zinc and industrial hub in South Africa. She highlighted the project's potential to support industrial growth, employment generation and long-term economic development in the region.Beyond mining operations, Vedanta has invested nearly $20 million in community development initiatives in South Africa since acquiring Vedanta Zinc International in 2011. These programmes cover healthcare, education, livelihoods, infrastructure and social welfare, benefiting more than 32,000 people annually.Vedanta Zinc International also inaugurated an oncology centre in Namakwa earlier in 2026, further expanding its community healthcare initiatives.