Africa-Press – Angola. The first green pig iron production unit in the country, using charcoal as a reducer in the smelting process, was inaugurated this Thursday, in Cuando Cubango), by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rui Minguêns de Oliveira.
With this feat, implemented in the municipality of Cuchi, 94 kilometers from the city of Menongue, headquarters of Cuando Cubango, Angola officially became the fourth iron exporting country in the world, with a production capacity of 250 tons/day .
Until then, the pig iron export activity was only carried out by the Russian Federation, Brazil and Ukraine, although with the use of resources “enemies of the environment”, with Brazil and Angola being the only ones that use charcoal as a reducer in the carbon-free ore smelting process.
Speaking to the press, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, highlighted that the first manufacturing unit represents the Angolan State’s commitment to materializing the process of economic diversification, in a sustainable way and providing the well-being of the population.
He assured that the government is committed to realizing the aspirations of all Angolans, which is why it has chosen the path of economic diversification as a means to guarantee the sustainable creation of employment, material and spiritual wealth, in addition to guaranteeing a better future for present generations and future ones.
The official stated that Cuando Cubango represents the most genuine symbol of national reconciliation and peace in the Angolan nation, as it was the scene of heroic battles with the involvement of citizens from across the national territory.
According to the minister, at this stage when the country is taking steps towards development, the province has become the stage of the battle for economic development and the creation of well-being for all Angolans.
He underlined that such a challenge requires the same level of challenge, effort and dedication as in obtaining other achievements.
Rui Miguêns de Oliveira highlighted that building a Nation of well-being for all requires work from its citizens, vision and coherence from its leaders at all levels: families, communities, companies, associations up to the highest dignitaries of the State.
He made it known that, in this first phase, the factory generated 1,200 direct jobs and could reach 5,000.
About the project
When presenting the project, the president of the CSC Board of Directors, Rui Celso, said that it is an integrated project, implemented in a total area of 62,500 hectares, where the manufacturing part occupies 2,500 hectares and the remaining 60 thousand are destined for forestry , with eucalyptus replanting and use of woody material, thus ensuring environmental sustainability.
Of the 60 thousand hectares, he explained, 20 thousand hectares were allocated to a partnership agreement, signed with the Ministry of National Defense and Veterans of the Homeland, whose fundamental objective is the transmission of knowledge to ex-military and former combatants, to be suppliers of project, guaranteeing them a new opportunity in life, with the benefit of a monthly income resulting from the sale of their production.
He informed that a long and arduous path had been covered, with the carrying out of various actions and studies, particularly at the Cutato mine, which had a positive effect so that the technical team made up of Angolans and Brazilians had good iron indicators and a promising period of exploration exceeding 50 years.
“Here where we are, the implementation stage was completed today with the installation of the first blast furnace, with a production capacity of 100,000 tons of pig iron per year, with Brazilian technology, the only one in the world capable of producing iron. green pig iron, made from charcoal”, he highlighted.
He informed that the project comprises two phases, the first already completed and in experimental production since May 1, 2023, with an investment of 90 million US dollars and 1,200 direct jobs created.
Regarding the second phase of the project, its implementation is expected to begin in the second half of 2024 and will involve the installation of three more blast furnaces, with a production capacity of 140,000 tons per year, each, estimated to be completed in this phase an investment of 260 million US dollars and the creation of another four thousand jobs.
He highlighted that, currently, Brazil and Angola are the only countries in the world that produce green pig iron from a renewable energy source, therefore, “Angola is already on the world map as a country producing green pig iron”.
In terms of logistics, considering that CSC’s production is destined for export, we have excellent conditions, facilitated by the location in relation to the sources of obtaining inputs and the proximity to the railway line, for transporting the finished product to the port of Namibe.
According to the manager, on the economic side, CSC’s production will certainly contribute to the country’s trade balance surplus, as well as playing an important role in the socio-economic development of the province of Cuando Cubango and in particular for the municipality of Cuchi.
Opening to private investment
The governor of Cuando Cubango, José Martins, reaffirmed the openness of local authorities to private investment, highlighting the different fauna and forest potential, in addition to being abundant in water and mineral resources.
The governor stated that his department will grant all legally established facilities to businesspeople who want to contribute to the development of the province, through projects that contribute to the creation of jobs for youth and beyond, as well as the improvement of living conditions of populations in general.
José Martins, regarding the newly inaugurated iron factory, said it was an added value for the local government, taking into account the number of jobs created, mostly for local youth, and therefore thanked the company’s management and its founders by the route traveled and the steps conquered.
CSC activity began in 2015, with the construction, assembly and equipping of the Steel Plant, with the exploration of the mine and the extraction of iron ore beginning in February this year, involving 163 direct and indirect employees, of which 5 expatriates.
Companhia Siderúrgica do Cuchi is a company governed by Angolan law, created under Presidential Decree No. 18/15, of 20 April. Its purpose is the exploration of iron ore, as well as the processing and marketing of pig iron, the main raw material for the production of steel and cast iron, including the import and export of steel products.
It is located in the province of Cuando Cubango, with the steel mill in the municipality of Cuchi and the mine in the commune of Cutato.
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