Alcan appoints chief executive for South African smelter project

Canadian aluminium producer Alcan announced the appointment of Brent Hegger as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the COEGA aluminium smelter project in South Africa. He will be responsible for completing the proposed 720,000tpy greenfield smelter, which will have an estimated cost of $2.7 billion and is due to be completed by 2010.

Hegger already works at Alcan and has worked on various major projects in Canada, South Africa, Mozambique, Malaysia and Chile.

"Brent Hegger is well equipped to assume his new responsibilities and to see the COEGA aluminum smelter project through to a successful completion. His impressive international experience in the aluminum industry is highlighted by the key role he has played in the construction of several aluminum smelters in Africa, making him the natural choice," said Yvon D'Anjou, Vice-President Business Development and Technology, Equipment, Sales and Services, Alcan Primary Metal Group.