R1 billion will be spent on supporting infrastructure for Project Mthombo, according to the Budget Review tabled by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene on Wednesday, along with the National Budget.
The refinery, planned for the Coega Industrial Development Zone is listed as one of the major projects in planning.
Also listed in the Review as one of the major projects is the upgrading of the rail and port capacity for the export of manganese through the Port of Ngqura to the Northern Cape.
Listed as major projects as well are the relocation of the manganese facility from the Port Elizabeth Harbour to Coega, along with the tank farm. which will pave the way for the development of a leisure/recreational area linked to the Baakens River Valley precinct.
Also listed is the construction of a R90 million biofuels plant at Cradock, using sugar beet and sorghum.
The plant is one of five planned for the Eastern Cape, three of which are in the Coega IDZ .
Source:Metrominute
