Economy in Northern Natal

Newcasle serves surrounding maize, livestock and dairy farmers, as well as workers connected to Karbochem, Mittal Steel South Africa (previously ISPAT/ISCOR), the textile and service industry. There is also considerable coal mining in the area.

Mittal Steel South Africa produces over 1.5 million tons of long steel products annually.

Although the Mittal steelworks and the Karbochem synthetic rubber plant (which covers an impressive 500 000 m² of manufacturing space), dominate the Newcastle industrial portfolio, there is a wide range of manufacturing undertakings, sharing in the success of the region. Newcastle has welcomed many Taiwanese into the region, with the addition of over a hundred textile factories.

An indication of the industrial future of Newcastle is reflected in the chrome chemical plant, which was completed in Newcastle, during 2002. This joint venture project between Karbochem and German manufacturing giant Bayer, has made Newcastle the largest producer of chrome chemicals in Africa. Mittal Steel also recently completed a R400 million project, to rebuild one of its coke batteries. Other large operations include a diamond cutting works, various heavy engineering concerns, steel reinforcement and a slagment cement factory.

The development of a R2 billion project, Dunblane Golf and Trout Estate, which will eventually consist of 2000 houses, two hotels and a golf course, is well under way and will create further opportunity for people to enjoy Newcastle.

The new Century Casino also provides much entertainment to Newcastle and surrounding areas.

From the 1880s, Newcastle experienced rapid economic growth. Today, Newcastle has the largest concentration of industry in the north western KwaZulu-Natal region. The Amajuba District Municipality is the fifth most densely populated district in KwaZulu-Natal, comprising of Dannhauser (1516 km²), Newcastle (1956 km²), and Utrecht (3539 km²). The average population density that was recorded in Amajuba was 67.7 people per km² in 2001. In 2001 the district was home to 468030 people, with 22% residing in Dannhauser, 72% residing in Newcastle and 7% in Utrecht. Today, Newcastle is home to approximately 413000 people.

The new Century Casino also provides much entertainment to Newcastle and surrounding areas.

From the 1880s, Newcastle experienced rapid economic growth. Today, Newcastle has the largest concentration of industry in the north western KwaZulu-Natal region. The Amajuba District Municipality is the fifth most densely populated district in KwaZulu-Natal, comprising of Dannhauser (1516 km²), Newcastle (1956 km²), and Utrecht (3539 km²). The average population density that was recorded in Amajuba was 67.7 people per km² in 2001. In 2001 the district was home to 468030 people, with 22% residing in Dannhauser, 72% residing in Newcastle and 7% in Utrecht. Today, Newcastle is home to approximately 413000 people.