Ticor South Africa encompasses a 3 billion Rand investment in the mining, refining and smelting of mineral sands to produce titanium slag, the company's main product. The alliance forming Ticor South Africa is comprised of Kumba Resources Ltd, a JSE listed company that owns 60%, with the other 40% owned by Ticor Ltd, a publicly listed Australian Company. The business started from a feasibility study in 1995, then known as the Iscor Heavy Minerals project (IHM). In February 2001, Ticor Ltd share holders approved the acquisition of 40% of IHM from Kumba Resources Ltd including all their feedstock interests worldwide. Ticor Ltd obtained the shareholding and management responsibility of the business in August 2001. Ticor South Africa was launched on the 5th September 2001. The mine and mineral separation plant completed commissioning in 2001, producing ilmenite, zircon, and rutile at design capacity. The construction of the smelter was announced in August 2001 with the first furnace and down stream processes successfully commissioned during 2003. Construction of the second furnace is complete with production to come on stream as planned in late 2003. With both furnaces in full operation, Ticor South Africa will produce 250, 000 tonnes of titanium slag and 140, 000 tonnes of low manganese pig iron per year.