Highveld to pursue safeguard protection on heavy structural steel products

Highveld Steel, which recently reopened its heavy structural mill in Mpumalanga despite still being in business rescue, has welcomed the institution of 10% import-duty protection on certain heavy steel sections and shapes. However, CEO Johan Burger tells Engineering News Online that Highveld plans to pursue safeguard duties across the range of products being produced at the mill, which was officially reopened in partnership with ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) in June. AMSA is supplying primary material to the mill under a contract manufacturing agreement signed in December. The agreement will operate for an initial period of two years with an option to extend for a further year. In addition, AMSA has an option to purchase the Highveld Structural Mill business after the initial two-year period, subject to regulatory and governance approvals.