Build the World’s Most Competitive Energy Metallurgical Base

——Interview with Mr.Ning Yat Hoi, Chairman of South African Energy Metallurgical Base(Pty)Ltd

□By Lei Mao Sheng/ China Reform Daily 2019-05-15 18:52:06 Source:：《China Reform Daily》　

Many people's first impression of the Republic of South Africa is undoubtedly glittering and dazzling diamonds. In fact, as the second largest economy in Africa and one of the five largest mineral resource countries in the world, the "Rainbow Country" has mineral resources that are not limited to diamonds. It has been proved that there are more than 70 kinds of minerals with reserves and mined in South Africa. The reserves of platinum group metals(PGM), fluorite and chromium rank first in the world; gold, vanadium, manganese and zirconium rank second; titanium rank fourth, phosphate, uranium, lead and antimony rank fifth, coal and zinc rank eighth and copper rank ninth.

South Africa's rich mining resources have long attracted the attention of many Chinese businessmen, including Hong Kong based businessman Ning Yat Hoi. As one of the earliest Chinese businessmenin Africa’s "gold rush", he has been involved in the mineral resources industry such as African non-ferrous metals since 2005, with operations in Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and other countries. In 2014, he officially signed a contract with the provincial government of Limpopo, South Africa, to start investing and engage the South African Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone projects.

Recently, the reporter interviewed Mr.Ning Yat Hoi, Chairman of South African Energy Metallurgical Base(Pty)Ltd. on the progress of the construction of the South African Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone, the results of investment promotion and the opportunity of the “Belt and Road”.

Construction of energy metallurgical chemical industry cluster

Reporter: In your mind, what will the South African Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone look like?

Ning Yat Hoi: The South African Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone is a national-level energy metallurgical special economic zone approved by the South African government in accordance with South African SEZ Act. The South African government has issued a SEZOperatorPermit to the South African Energy Metallurgical Base (Pty) Ltd. to develop, operate and manage the Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone. The SEZ is located in Musina-Makhado, Limpopo, South Africa. It covers an area of 60 square kilometers and is adjacent to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.

There will be built in the SEZ a 20 Mtpa coal washing plant, a 3300Mw coal-fired power plant, a3 Mtpa coke plant and a 390Mw waste heat power plant, a 3 Mtpa high-carbon ferrochrome plant, and a 1 Mtpa ferromanganese plant, a 500,000 tpa of silicon manganese plant, a 3 Mtpa stainless steel plant, a 1 Mtpa high vanadium steel plant, a1 Mtpa high manganese steel plant and a 5 Mtpa metallurgical lime plant , a 1.2 Mtpa titanium dioxide plant and a 150,000 tpa vanadium pentoxide plant.

There will be also establish in the SEZ amine resource supply center to provide metallurgical furnace materials mine resources inputs for the SEZ project factories. The SEZ will integrate the advantages of energy metallurgy and form a coordinated process energy metallurgical production process from Coking Coal Mine→Coal Washing Plant→Coking Plant→Power Plant→ Ferroalloy Plant→ Iron-making Plant→ Steel-making Plant, and give full play to the advantages of hot-deliver of blast furnace molten ironand ferroalloy hot metal for steel processingwhole process, of which would improve smelting recovery rate and reduce metallurgical energy consumption. The SEZ operator, South African Energy Metallurgical Base (Pty) Ltd. will provide project investors with a secure and competitive resource supply and ancillary services.

Our goal is to build the world's most competitive energy metallurgical SEZ

Listed as a key project of China-South Africa Capacity Cooperation

Reporter: It is reported that the South African Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone has been listed as a key capacity cooperation project by China and South Africa. Can you please give us a detailed introduction.

Ning Yat Hoi: During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held from September 3 to 4, 2018, the leaders of China and South Africa witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Capacity Cooperation between  National Development and Reform Commission(NDRC)of Chinaand the Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa(DTI), confirming that the South African Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone project is Key projects for cooperation between the two countries.

On September 18, 2018, the Foreign Investment Division of NDRC convened a special conference on investment progress of the South African Energy Metallurgical SEZ projects. Wang Jianjun, Director General of the Foreign Investment Division of NDRC, Chaired the meeting, representatives from China Development Bank, South African Energy Metallurgy Base (Pty) Ltd, China Huadian, PowerChina, MCC, TISCO, CCCC attended the meeting and exchange the progress and work plan of the SEZ projects.

ASouth African Energy Metallurgical SEZ Investment Projects Coordination Meeting jointly convened by NDRC and DTI on October 16, 2018. The meeting was co - chaired by Mr. Wang Jianjun - Director General of the Foreign Investment Division of NDRC, and Mr. Sipho Zikode - Deputy Director General of the DTI. Representatives from China Development Bank, South African Energy Metallurgical Base(Pty)Ltd.,China Huadian, PowerChina, MCC, TISCO, CCCC and HODO attended the meeting, discussed the progress and work plan of the SEZ projects in depth.

Reporter: At present, which Chinese companies have signed agreements or have cooperation intentions?

Ning Yat Hoi: In July 2018 South African Energy Metallurgical Base (PTY) Ltd. and Limpopo Economic Development Agency signed Memorandum of Agreement of the SEZ projects with Power Construction Corporation of China, Taiyuan Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., China Metallurgical Group Corporation and Tengy Group Co., Ltd, respectivelyat the union Building South Africa.

South African Energy Metallurgical Base (PTY)Ltd. (SEZ Operator) convened the Special SEZ Project Planning Coordination Meeting in Guangzhou on December 11, 2018.The meeting was more than 40 representatives and technical experts attended meeting fromDepartment of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa, Limpopo Economic Development Agency,Taiyuan Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., Power China International Group Limited, China Metallurgical Group Corporation, China Export Credit Insurance Company, China Communications Construction Company Limited, Nanguo Hodo Holdings Co., Ltd., Shaanxi CEI Investment Holdings Co., Ltd., Guangdong Wealth Investment Corporation, Shanxi Sente Clean Coal & Coking Design Institute Co., Ltd and Guangzhou Rising Steel Group.After full exchange and consultation, the delegates reached the following conclusion: The SEZ Master Plan has been determined; Identifiedfive demonstration projects to be invested and constructed in the SEZ;the experts at the meeting had a thorough and detailed in depthdiscussion on the process technology and flow optimization scheme of each project, the technological innovation, energy saving and environmental protection, and it was affirmed that the technology innovation in SEZ stainless steel smelting, vanadium - titanium smelting, high vanadium steel and high performance wear - resistant steel project, especially the patented technology for high - performance wear - resistant steel, is leading the technology in the world.

On January 17, 2019, SAEMSEZ Planning Program Technical Seminar was held in Qingdao, hosted by South African Energy Metallurgical Base (PTY) Ltd. and organized by MCC BERIS Engineering & Research Corporation. Participants include: South African Energy Metallurgical Base (Pty) Ltd., MCC BERIS Engineering & Research Corporation, MCC International Incorporation Ltd., MCC Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited, Taiyuan Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., MCC International Incorporation Ltd., Shaanxi CEI Investment Holdings Co., Ltd., Guangdong Wealth Investment Corporation, Shanxi Sente Clean Coal & Coking Design Institute Co., Ltd., CNMC Shenyang Nonferrous Metallurgy Engineering & Research Institute Co., Ltd. MCC BERIS Engineering & Research Corporation gave a detailed introduction on the EMSEZ master plan, high carbon ferrochrome electric arc furnace technical scheme, blast furnace ferromanganese technical scheme, high vanadium steel and high manganese steel technical scheme, stainless steeltechnical plan and SEZ public facilities technical plan, etc. Shanxi Sente Clean Coal & Coking Design Institute Co., Ltd. and MCC Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited introduced the technical scheme of SEZ coking project and its waste heat power generation in details.CNMC Shenyang Nonferrous Metallurgy Engineering & Research Institute Co., Ltd. introduced in details of the smelting process scheme of vanadium - titanium magnetite project. The delegates at the meeting had an in-depth discussion on the EMSEZplanning. They believed that the preliminary SEZplanning submitted to the meeting by all parties was reasonable and feasible, and could be used as the basis for project implementation for next step.

"Belt and Road" is the road of opportunity.

Reporter: It really takes courage to operate a national special economic zone in a foreign country with the strength of private capital. What are your considerations?

Ning Yat Hoi:China established diplomatic relations with South Africa In 1998. Today, China and South Africa have become comprehensive strategic partners. China is South Africa's main trading partner and one of the major investors. South Africa is also China's largest trading partner in Africa.

South Africa is the first African country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on "Belt and Road". In my view, "Belt and Road" is the road of opportunity and prosperity. The international cooperation space unfolded by " Belt and Road " has provided a valuable stage and opportunity for us entrepreneurs to deeply participate in the global industrial division and international competition.

South Africa mainly exports minerals and metals to China. I have taken a fancy to its rich mineral resources. South Africa has more than 83% of the world's chrome resources, manganese resources account for more than 81% of the world, and high-grade reserves of vanadium resources rank first in the world. The reserves of open-pit coking coal mines around the SEZ are more than 10 billion tons, and there are other abundant mine resources as raw materials for stainless steel, including iron ore, silicon ore, nickel ore, limestone, etc.

Reporter: How do you evaluate the investment environment in South Africa?

Ning Yat Hoi: The South African economy is relatively stable compared to other African countries. Its financial, legal, communications, energy, and transportation industries are relatively developed. It has a complete hardware infrastructure and stock trading market, especially deep underground mining related technologies are leading in the world. South Africa has been identified as a medium power in international affairs and maintains significant regional influence.

The SEZ enjoys the tax incentives provided for Special Economic Zones of South Africa and enjoys all preferential treatment from SA policies of encouraging foreign investment. The national railway, highway and power supply networks runs through the region, the Limpopo Riveris 30 kilometers away, it is an important source of water for the SEZ; 500 kilometers from thePort of Maputo, Mozambique.

Reporter: At present, what is the level of infrastructure in South Africa?

South Africa has the longest road network in Africa, and the road network extends in all directions. It not only covers the whole country, but also connected with neighboring countries, it is very convenient. Its railway networks and road networks complement each other to form a complete land transportation system. The railway is connected with Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and other countries. The mileage is 34,000 kilometers and ranking tenth in the world.

South Africa's air transport industry is relatively developed, with 10 major airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and other major cities. South African Airways is the largest airline in Africa. In addition, South Africa also has the largest, most complete and most efficient shipping network in Africa, with 96% of its exports going by sea. The famous Cape of Good Hope in the history of world navigation is also located here.

South Africa Telecom Network basically realizes data transmission, and data microwave and fiber-optic cables are the main medium of transmission. Postal network is also very developed, covering the whole country.

South Africa is a major power country in Africa,with electricity supply accounting for 2/3 of all of Africa,generating 88% of the total electricity. In addition, there is one nuclear power plant and two pumped storage power stations. 6 hydropower stations and 2 fuel power stations. However, with the continuous development of the economy, the problem of power shortage in South Africa has become increasingly prominent. In addition to meeting domestic demand, South Africa's electricity exports to neighboring countries. South Africa is rich in coal resources and its output ranks first in Africa, which has a natural advantage for the development of coal-fired power stations. In the next few years, the gap between supply and demand for electricity in South Africa will gradually widen. According to the existing power supply capacity, due to factors such as aging of equipment, the total capacity will continue to decline, while the power demand is rising rapidly.

[Editor in charge: Wang Xiaoyi]


Group Photo：An Investment Projects Coordination Meeting was held on October 16, 2018 to facilitate the construction of the EMSEZ—key projects of China - South Africa Capacity Cooperation which was affirmed though agreement signed between NDRC of China and DTI of South Africa.


SAEMSEZ Planning Effect Drawing