Tronox Holdings plc (Tronox Mineral Sands South Africa)

Tronox Holdings plc is a global mining and chemicals company and describes itself as the world’s preeminent titanium dioxide producer. Tronox mines and processes titanium ore, zircon, rare earths and other materials, and manufactures titanium dioxide pigment, specialty titanium dioxide products and high-purity titanium chemicals. Tronox employs about 5 700 people on six continents and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Registered name

Tronox Holdings plc (Tronox Mineral Sands South Africa)

Type

Listed company (mineral sands mining and titanium dioxide)

Fields funded

Engineering, geology, chemistry, surveying, accounting, HR and IT

Website

tronox.com

What titanium dioxide does

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that adds brightness, opacity and durability to paints, coatings, inks, plastics and paper. Tronox’s slogan, “From Mine to Pigment”, describes its vertical integration: mining mineral sands containing ilmenite, zircon, leucoxene and rutile, processing them, and turning them into finished pigment.

Tronox in South Africa

Tronox runs two major South African operations, according to a provider record checked in August 2026. Namakwa Sands on the West Coast mines at Brand-se-Baai, with a mineral separation plant and a smelter at Saldanha Bay. KZN Sands, around Empangeni and Mtunzini in KwaZulu-Natal, mines and processes heavy minerals into titanium feedstock, zircon, rutile and high-purity iron. Both operations are important employers in their regions.

Values

Tronox says it has an uncompromising focus on safe, reliable and responsible facilities, and aims to be a responsible environmental steward and respectful neighbour to its communities. Tronox’s values also stress respect, integrity, two-way communication and a growth mindset built on learning, resilience and adaptability. Tronox says employees take charge of their development through training and mentoring.

The Tronox bursary

Tronox runs an annual bursary through KZN Sands for South African students studying qualifications relevant to its mining, engineering and metallurgy needs. BursariesAfrica’s older guide lists fields such as chemical, electrical, industrial, mechanical and mining engineering, analytical chemistry, geology, surveying, accounting, human resources and IT, covering tuition, books, residence and meals allowances, with preference for communities around Empangeni and Richards Bay and applications usually open early in the year. Tronox had not confirmed a 2027 application window when BursariesAfrica checked.

How to research Tronox

Check Tronox’s careers site for South African adverts and ask KZN Sands’ community office when the bursary opens. West Coast students should ask Namakwa Sands whether it runs a separate scheme. Learn how mineral sands mining and smelting work so you can connect your field to the operation.

See the Richards Bay Minerals bursary for another mineral sands miner.