It might not be on the same scale as earlier envisaged, and therefore cost less than the R16-billion first planned, but Coega “will eventually have a smelter”, said Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin in Port Elizabeth.

Erwin said there were negotiations with Canadian multi-national minerals group Alcan to go ahead with its proposed investment in an aluminium smelter at Coega.

“We continue to work with Alcan on a configured project that will use the Pechiney AP35 technology. Obviously this means it will not be at the same scale as previously proposed by Pechiney. But we will have a smelter,” he said.

Erwin said apart from the smelter, there were several other investment deals being negotiated with a number of interested groups, but he declined to name them for confidentiality reasons.

“On this site, there will definitely be tenants. The investors we are attracting are major, and, of course, it has to be borne in mind that we are competing with some of the best countries in the world.

“However, we are confident that we have a deep-water port infrastructure that holds many attractions and advantages for investors.

“One of these is the back of port space (industrial development zone) which is very rare anywhere else, as well as a very modern city to complement it.

“Another issue that has impressed potential investors is the high proportion of construction of the Ngqura harbour that comes from the Eastern Cape, with local content of almost 90 per cent.
“Equally important is that the lifestyle in this city is excellent.

“From now on the Department of Trade and Industry, the Coega Development Corporation, the National Ports Authority and the Eastern Cape government will be working to get the investors,” said Erwin.