South Africa invests R8.9 billion to restore iron ore export corridor

The South African government is implementing an R8.9 billion Ore Line Restoration Programme to rehabilitate the 861 km iron ore export corridor. This long-term project, managed by the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) and running until 2030, aims to improve reliability, increase capacity, and support economic growth by linking Sishen in the Northern Cape to the Port of Saldanha in the Western Cape.

For the current year, approximately R2.2 billion is being allocated to restorative maintenance on the line. This includes R1.5 billion sourced from the Budget Facility for Infrastructure. Maintenance activities during the annual shutdown, which runs from October 6 to October 16, involve replacing rails and sleepers, screening ballast, renewing turnouts, and repairing track foundations, alongside electrical and signaling work.

In addition to track repairs, R1.47 billion is being invested in maintaining rolling stock, specifically R752.3 million for wagons and R721.9 million for locomotives, to address maintenance backlogs and improve fleet availability. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy described the corridor as an ‘economic artery’ vital for mineral exports, industrial growth, and employment.