Anglo American Platinum yesterday announced the opening of a new speciality pipe manufacturing plant, Africa Pipe Industries North (Pty), in Mokopane, Limpopo. The plant is a joint venture with Africa Pipe Industries (API) and is an empowerment initiative that will create 76 direct jobs at peak operational capacity in the Mokopane community.
The plant was officially opened today by Honourable Chupu Mathabatha, Premier of Limpopo, and Chris Griffith, CEO of Anglo American Platinum. Speaking at the opening, Honourable Stanley Mathabatha, Premier of Limpopo, said: “This initiative is one of the best, especially because it will create jobs in a volatile economy. We applaud Anglo American Platinum on this endeavour and believe that the same initiatives are going to follow suit wherever they operate.”
The plant consists of an ultra-modern pipe mill that manufactures a variety of technically advanced steel piping for the distribution of water, oil and gas. The plant will supply customers in Limpopo and sub-Saharan Africa. Anglo American Platinum will be a customer of the plant, thereby ensuring a stable order book and stable community employment.
The plant was commissioned in October 2017 and will be API’s first facility in Limpopo Province. API will operate the plant and have been responsible for the technical know-how on the plant design, building construction, and equipment installation.
Chris Griffith, CEO of Anglo American Platinum said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with API in the construction of this facility in Mokopane. It is an excellent local enterprise development project, introducing a new industry to the area that will create new skills and employment in the community and it is part of our commitment to enabling sustainable mine community development.”
John Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen, CEO of API said: “We are proud to have established this manufacturing facility in Limpopo Province in partnership with Anglo American Platinum to support enterprise development in the province. We truly believe that this new facility will create opportunities for the local community to contribute to South Africa’s expanding infrastructure requirements.”
About Africa Pipe Industries (API)
API manufactures helical welded pipes that meet international standards for the water, oil and gas markets throughout Africa. The company was established in 2010, and is currently a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor employing up to 250 people in its two facilities in South Africa. The Mokopane facility will be API’s first facility in Limpopo Province. Together, the Sasolburg facility and the Limpopo facility makes Africa Pipe Industries the dominant player in large bore steel pipe manufacturing in South Africa.
www.africapipe.com