30 years of Hillside

As Hillside Aluminium marks 30 years of operation, the milestone carries more than industrial significance.

It reflects three decades of people, progress and partnership. It tells the story of a smelter that grew alongside a region and became part of its identity.

When Hillside was commissioned in 1996, it represented belief.

Belief in South Africa’s potential. Belief in Richards Bay as an industrial hub. Belief that large-scale investment could help unlock opportunity for thousands of ffamilies.

Nelson Mandela, the then-President of South Africa, spoke at the official opening about sustained growth, job creation and the elimination of poverty. His words set a benchmark that reached beyond production targets.

Over the years that followed, Hillside did more than expand capacity: It built capability.

Employees developed specialist skills inside the potlines and control rooms. Young artisans found pathways into technical careers. Leaders were shaped on the shop floor. Generations of families came to rely on the stability the smelter provided.

The smelter itself evolved. Potlines one and two laid the foundation. Potline three strengthened Hillside’s position as a globally competitive operation.

Yet behind every technical milestone were teams who worked shifts through the night, who solved problems in real time and who took pride in producing aluminium to world standards from the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Watch the video to see Hillside's story and hear from our people.

Thirty years on, Hillside’s legacy is measured not only in tonnes produced but in livelihoods sustained and futures shaped.

Hillside is the only primary aluminium smelter in South Africa today and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Its scale is impressive and its impact far-reaching.

In Richards Bay and across KwaZulu-Natal, the smelter supports thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, through its value chain.

The wages earned within its gates circulate through homes, schools and local businesses. The small enterprises that supply goods and services have grown alongside it. Black-owned suppliers have entered industrial value chains that were once out of reach.

Watch the video to hear from our partners in South Africa about what 30 years of Hillside Aluminium means to them.

At Hillside Aluminium, enterprise development is a practical tool for economic participation.

Seed funding sits at the centre of this approach. Through targeted financial support, Hillside is enabling small and medium enterprises to move from concept to operation, strengthening local supply chains and creating sustainable livelihoods.

Since FY19, Hillside’s Enterprise and Supplier Development program has invested R704 million in 340 enterprises. This funding is designed to unlock growth where access to capital is limited, with a clear focus on early-stage businesses that show potential to scale, employ locally, and contribute to regional economic resilience.

In 2025, Hillside advanced this commitment through a focused seed funding initiative. Forty small, medium and micro enterprises received R100,000 each in funding, alongside equipment and business support. The funding was structured to address immediate operational needs, allowing businesses to stabilise, expand capacity, and improve service delivery.

Watch the video for a look at how our support is helping local businesses grow.

Hillside’s commitment to sustainability and social investment reflects a focus on responsible operations and long-term community impact.

Beyond the smelter gate, Hillside’s presence is visible in classrooms, clinics and community facilities. Schools have been refurbished, healthcare units strengthened and young people have been supported through bursaries, learnerships and workplace opportunities.

More than 100,000 beneficiaries have been reached through community initiatives in recent years alone.

For Hillside Aluminium, community development has never been separate from operations. It forms part of how the smelter understands its role in Richards Bay and across KwaZulu-Natal. Over three decades, this commitment has taken shape through sustained social investment, enterprise development, and deliberate efforts to widen economic participation.

Watch the video for a look at some of the projects we've been proud to support.

Hillside Aluminium

South Africa

Hillside Aluminium is the largest aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere. The smelter is located in Richards Bay in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and is 100 per cent owned and operated by South32 with solid metal production capacity of 720kt per year.

The smelter produces aluminium for the domestic and export markets. To support the development of the downstream aluminium industry in South Africa, liquid metal is supplied to Hulamin and other local companies that sell products in the domestic and export markets.

Learn more about Hillside Aluminium