R I billion will be spent on “supporting infrastructure” for Project Mthombo, according to the Budget Review tabled by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene yesterday, along with the National Budget.
The refinery, planned for the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), is listed as “one of the major projects in planning.
The Review puts the cost of the refinery at R200 million.
The feasibility study for the project has yet to be completed.
Also listed in the Review as one of the major projects is the upgrading of the rail and port capacity for the export of
manganese through the Port of Ngqura.
Environmental impact assessments have either been completed or are underway for the upgrading of the railway link to the Northern Cape and construction of the dedicated manganese export terminal.
Relocation of the manganese facility from the Port Elizabeth Harbour to Coega, along with the tank farm will pave the way for the development of a leisure/recreational area linked to the Baakens River Valley precinct.
Listed as a major project as well is construction of a R90 million biofuels plant at Cradock, using sugar beet and sorghum.
The plant is one of five planned for the Eastern Cape, three of which are in the Coega Industrial development Zone (IDZ).
The pricing mechanism for biofuels has still to be finalised.
Article published from Metro Minutes by Patrick Cull”.