Things are hotting up at the Agni Steels South Africa plant in Zone 6 of the Coega Industrial Development Zone as construction of its R400-million steel melting plant nears completion.
Sharaz and Hassan Khan, brothers and directors, with Dhiroshan Moodley, of the South African operation, said the plant should come on-line in the first quarter of next year with steel billets produced being exported to India and other African countries during the first phase of the project.
A second and third phase is also planned – adding to the total investment value. The Coega plant will use 10,000 tonnes of scrap metal every month during the first phase and this would double to 20,000 tonnes in the second phase. Instead of the scrap metal being exported it will be locally beneficiated thereby adding value to locally available resources that are simply exported currently. In addition, new technology will be brought to South Africa which will further job creation and skills transfer to local South Africans. A total of 800 jobs are expected to be created. CONAF (Construction Africa) is the Principle Contractor responsible for the construction of the Agni Steels Mill.
Sharaz Khan (left) and Hassan Khan (right) of Agni Steels
