City Press Business reports that a new research pilot plant for manufacturing materials used in batteries could ultimately lead to the creation of 1,600 jobs.  

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor launched the Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) precursor pilot plant facility, established in partnership with the University of Limpopo, in Mbombela last week.  The facility’s project manager, Danie Theron, said the plant had 12 staff members and would be run for the next five years.  By then a decision would probably have been made about establishing a fully-fledged plant, once a feasibility study had been completed.  Pandor said once production reached 10,000 tons per year, it was envisaged that 200 direct jobs and 1,400 indirect jobs could be created.  The facility was expected to have an annual turnover of R310 million.

• Read this report by Sizwe Sama Yende in full at City Press

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