CONSTRUCTION of a $1,3-billion aluminium smelting plant in southern Mozambique should be completed by July next year, six months ahead of schedule. Mozal smelter company GM Peter Cowie said on Friday that Mozambique’s biggest single investment project should produce its first aluminium ingot by July 2000 instead of the initially forecast January 2001. Britain’s Billiton is the largest investor in the project with 47% shareholding, followed by Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation and South Africa’s Development Corporation with 25% and 24% respectively. The Mozambican government holds 4%.