Hillside Aluminium looks to what comes next

The event was attended by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, local and provincial leaders, and many of Hillside's past and present employees.

Three decades on, it remains South Africa's only primary aluminium smelter and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. From 2015 to 2024, Hillside contributed approximately R35 billion (approximately US$2.1 billion) to South Africa's GDP, supports an estimated 29,000 jobs across the wider economy, and its community programs have reached more than five million people in the past five years.

Before the dinner, President Ramaphosa joined South32 Chief Executive Officer Graham Kerr and Chief Operating Officer Southern Africa Noel Pillay for a guided tour of the smelter, walking the operation’s floor and meeting our people.

At the dinner, President Ramaphosa paid tribute to the people behind the milestone. "I congratulate South32 on reaching this milestone. Your longevity is a story of South Africans choosing excellence, shift after shift, year after year."

"Hillside's people are at the heart of everything it has achieved," Graham added. "I'd like to acknowledge our skilled and dedicated team, and everyone who has contributed to Hillside's success."

Noel pointed to what comes next. “We look forward to Hillside continuing to play a critical role in South Africa's growth and development story."

The next chapter is already taking shape. South32 is working with Eskom on a long-term energy solution that supports Hillside's competitiveness and South Africa's decarbonisation goals. South32 is also investing in Hillside's core equipment and long-term operational reliability through Project Syphon and continuing to invest in the growth of South Africa's downstream aluminium industry.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who has been part of Hillside's story so far, and to those who are shaping what comes next.