Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Bursary South Africa 2026

 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – RIO TINTO & RICHARDS BAY MINERALS

Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) was founded in 1976 and is a subsidiary company of Rio Tinto Group in South Africa. The company is owned by the Rio Tinto Group who have a 74% in the company, followed by Blue Horizon Investments who own a 24% share and RBM permanent employees who own the remaining 2%.

The mining company are situated in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, near Richards Bay, where they produce titanium dioxide from mineral sand deposits of the mineral-rich sand dunes.

Main shareholder, the Rio Tinto Group are one of the global leaders in the production of zircon, high purity pig iron and titanium minerals. They are also world renowned for their sand mining and mineral processing operations.
 

ABOUT THE RIO TINTO / RICHARDS BAY MINERALS BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2026 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the following fields:
Core Disciplines:

  • Engineering: Extractive Metallurgy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (BSC or BEng)
  • Sciences: Environmental Science, Geology (BSc)

Non-Core Disciplines:

  • BA: Law, Safety Management
  • Engineering: Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, Industrial Engineering
  • Health Sciences: Pharmacy, Nursing and Medicine
  • Humanities: Journalism, Media and Communication
  • Management Sciences: Economics, Commerce, Finance
  • Sciences: Computer Science, Data Science
  • Social Sciences: Community Development, Criminology, Psychology

The Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals Bursary is aimed at high achieving students, who are passionate about their studies and the future of the country. The company aims to develop and expand the skills base in South Africa, by way of bursary funding.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals Bursary.
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RIO TINTO / RICHARDS BAY MINERALS BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying for this bursary (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be currently in Matric in 2025
  • You must be entering your 1st year of undergraduate studies in 2026, in one of the fields of study listed above
  • You must have achieved and maintained a minimum overall average of 65%
  • You must be in financial need
  • You must intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
  • Preference will be given to qualified applicants from designated groups (e.g. Women and people with disabilities) where there is under-representation

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE RIO TINTO / RICHARDS BAY MINERALS BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: removed as applications are closed.

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the bursary.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

  • ID document (certified copy – not older than 3 months)
  • Matric mid-year report (certified copy)
  • Proof of provisional university acceptance (on institutions letterhead)
  • Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copies)
  • Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ proof of pension or social grant if applicable)
  • Motivational letter to support your application (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
  • Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae

 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE RIO TINTO / RICHARDS BAY MINERALS BURSARY

Applications are now CLOSED.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact Rio Tinto directly:
Email: RTgraduaterecruitmentsupport@riotinto.com / recruitment.support@riotinto.com
 

Please do NOT contact Rio Tinto if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in September 2025.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.