BHP Billiton Mulls $3B Aluminum Smelter In Congo

BHP Billiton, the world's largest resources group, said that it was investigating the development of a $3 billion aluminium smelter in Congo. This follows the signing of an agreement with the Congolese government to investigate jointly the development of the world-class aluminium smelter in the Bas Congo region. "The aluminium smelter, projected to cost $3 billion, would produce about 800,000 (metric) tons a year in its first phase and use up to 2,000 megawatts of electricity," said BHP Billiton. The smelter would use electricity from the proposed Inga 3 hydropower station at Inga on the Congo River. "Initial concept studies have been completed for both the hydropower station and the aluminium smelter.Work will now start on feasibility studies for both projects," the company said. BHP Billiton has agreed to fund the costs of Inga 3's feasibility study. "Of course, the development of the Inga 3 hydropower project and the aluminium smelter project will be demanding," said chairman of BHP Billiton in southern Africa, Vincent Maphai.