Construction might begin at the end of next year, with the first metal produced in 2008, Montreal-based Alcan said in a Regulatory News Service statement.

South Africa's government has pledged electricity supplies. The smelter, planned for Coega port in the Eastern Cape, might produce as much as 660 000 tons of aluminium a year.

Coega, inherited by Alcan in the e4 billion (R30 billion) purchase of Pechiney in December, is one of the cheaper new projects being examined.

Estate agent industry watchdog to widen campaign June 30, 2004

The consumer protection body for the estate agent industry will continue its awareness campaign in light of the positive response it has had following media reports about unscrupulous estate agents.

"The Estate Agency Affairs Board has been conducting public awareness campaigns for years, but we have realised from the response we have had from media reports, that we need to broaden the focus," said chairperson Linda Nyembe.

Since its inception in 1977, the board has dealt with more than 16 000 cases and paid over R92 million in compensation from the Fidelity Fund to consumers who have been financially burnt by estate agents.

 "We hold annual nationwide education seminars for estate agents and will be identifying how best to involve members of the general public in these workshops.

"We are also looking at an extensive radio advertising campaign, poster displays and leaflet distribution," Nyembe said.