Coega smelter offers downstream opportunities

ED RICHARDSON AN AGREEMENT signed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Alcan will assure local users of aluminium of competitive prices, says trade and industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa. The Coega aluminium smelter will be the first project to benefit from the government’s Developmental Electricity Pricing Programme, which is designed to stimulate investment in South Africa. The smelter will allow South Africa to explore opportunities for downstream manufacturing of aluminium as well as projects related to the maintenance of the plant, and the creation of manufacturing skills and related skill transfer projects, according to Mpahlwa.