Canadian aluminium giant Alcan, which had been expected to announce its decision on the aluminium smelter project at Coega this month, said it would complete its review by the end of the year.
Meanwhile it is continuing to examine the best value-creating alternatives the scheme offered.
The company said in a statement released on Tuesday that it recently met with a South African delegation.
”We are working with our partners to find ways to maximise value for all stakeholders involved in the Coega smelter project,” said the CEO of Alcan’s primary metal croup, Cynthia Carroll.
”As part of this review, the optimal technological solution will be selected among the leading Pechiney AP30/AP50 smelting systems.
”Depending on the chosen configuration, the Coega smelter project could produce up to 660 kilotons of aluminium per annum. Construction could start as early as the end of 2005 with the first metal produced in 2008,” she said.
Alcan inherited the project through its merger last year with French rival Pechiney.
The project will be the anchor tenant at the Coega industrial development zone near Port Elizabeth, which is being developed at a cost of more than R2-billion. – Sapa