Alcan Selects CEO For South African Project

Alcan has begun appointing managers for the proposed $2.7 billion Coega aluminum smelter project in South Africa, the strongest indication yet the smelter will proceed, Business Report reports.

Alcan, which has received a hostile bid from Alcoa, has selected a chief executive for Coega and advertised for a number of key posts as the project gears up for construction, the newspaper says.

Robert Valdmanis,spokesman for Alcan, said the Canadian company would announce a CEO for the project within a month, but declined to name the person, Business Report says.