:: New Feasibility Study for Coega Smelter

Alcan has announced that it will conduct a new feasibility study, with the South African government and the Industrial Development Corporation, for the construction of an aluminium smelter at Coega in the Eastern Cape province. The study, which will focus on the use of the advanced AP30 or AP35 smelting technologies, is scheduled to be completed by the second quarter of 2005. The Coega smelter is expected to produce up to 660 kt of aluminium per annum. If the project receives the go-ahead, construction could start at the end of 2005, with the first metal produced in 2008.