Govt’s infrastructure plans to boost demand for galvanized steel
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This will improve public service provision and address backlogs and boost increased investment, growth and employment potential, according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his 2022 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on 26 October 2022.
“We are also committed to improving state capacity, project planning and preparation, procurement practices, and contract management. This will address chronic underspending of allocated infrastructure budgets, improve value for money and efficacy of our investments,” said Minister Godongwana.
The government’s commitment to increased infrastructure spend is likely to result in a dramatically increased uptake in the local consumption of zinc galvanized steel, says International Zinc Association (IZA) Africa Executive Director Simon Norton. The focus on renewable energy to meet the country’s electricity shortfall will also lead to a boom in solar energy plants and wind farms, which present another avenue for the increased uptake of zinc-coated steel.
While South Africa has 20% of the world’s zinc deposits, it no longer refines any zinc following the closure of the Zincor refinery in Springs by mining company Exxaro at the end of 2011. Up to that point, the country produced 110 000 t/y of refined zinc worth about R4.3 billion. From 2014 to 2019, South Africa imported R15 billion worth of refined zinc.
However, the uptake of refined zinc declined from 119 000 t in 2011 to 72 000 t in 2021. “Zinc is one of the major global commodities, along with iron ore, for example. IZA Africa’s short-term goal is to gradually boost zinc uptake to a new high of 90 000 t/y, ultimately reaching 100 000 t/y in three years’ time,” highlights Norton.
Zinc truly comes into its own in offering long-lasting corrosion protection, an important consideration at South Africa’s corrosive coastal zones. As a barrier protection, zinc resists corrosion by isolating steel from the external environment. Zinc is also anodic to steel, meaning it corrodes sacrificially to protect the underlying steel.
In addition, a natural zinc patina develops as the zinc coating weathers, slowing the overall corrosion rate, as well as creating a material with a distinctive appearance that is much in demand by architects and designers. Such a coating is applied by the process of either hot dip galvanizing or continuous galvanizing, the latter used mainly for steel sheet, wire and rod.
IZA Africa promotes awareness of the corrosion protection capability of zinc among professionals such as engineering designers, civil and consulting engineers. It also encourages South African zinc industry companies such as hot dip galvanizers, continuous galvanizers, wire plants and die casters to become members of IZA.
Another focus for IZA Africa is to foster and promote research in process development to handle the typical ore bodies in South Africa and come up with novel, clean green zinc refining techniques. The idea is to boost research, keep promising researchers challenged in South Africa and grow our intellectual property.
REFERENCE
‘Minister Enoch Godongwana: Medium Term Budget Policy Statement’ https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-enoch-godongwana-medium-term-budget-policy-statement-26-oct-2022-0000
Pull quote
“The government’s commitment to increased infrastructure spend is likely to result in a dramatically increased uptake in the local consumption of galvanized steel.” – Simon Norton, Executive Director, International Zinc Association Africa
Social media
Zinc truly comes into its own in offering long-lasting corrosion protection, an important consideration in South Africa’s coastal areas. As a barrier protection, zinc resists corrosion by isolating steel from the external environment. Zinc is also anodic to steel, meaning it corrodes sacrificially to protect the underlying material. #IZAAfrica #Zinc
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About the International Zinc Association
The IZA is the only global industry association dedicated exclusively to the interests of zinc and its users. Operating internationally and locally through its regional affiliates, the IZA helps sustain the long-term global demand for zinc and its markets by promoting such key end uses as corrosion protection for steel and zinc as being essential in human health and crop nutrition. IZA’s main programmes are Sustainability & Environment, Technology & Market Development and Communications.
In South Africa, the IZA plays a vital role in establishing the basis for the successful revitalisation of the zinc industry by increasing awareness of zinc and its applications and benefits in key sectors and markets, which will ultimately translate into the increased uptake of zinc.
International Zinc Association Contact
Simon Norton
Executive Director
IZA Africa
Phone: (021) 788 9980
Cell: 082 831 2924
Email: zinc [at] iafrica [dot] com
Web: www.zinc.org
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NGAGE Public Relations
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Email: rachel [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
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