Underpinning this deficit in production is the shortage of raw materials in the domestic market and foreign currency for the steel alloy imports into the production process.

To reverse this situation, the steel plant, owned by the Aceria de Angola Company (ADA), has been making use of scraps, still in small amounts.

The factory needs annually 400-500 thousand tons of scraps, a monthly average of 40 thousand tons, told the press on Wednesday Chairman of ADA Board of Directors, Georges Choucair.

To learn about the production of the factory, which has strategic importance in the economic diversification process and reaping of tax revenues for the country, the minister of Geology and Mining paid a visit to the plant.

Francisco Queiroz, who was accompanied by Industry Minister Bernarda Martins, acknowledged that there is shortage of raw material for the steel industry of Barra do Dande, Bengo.

The official said that the immediate solution is to import raw materials and in short-term (one year) the plant may count on the production Cassinga iron in Huíla province.

Inaugurated in December in 2015, the factory employees 460 people.

Source: Angop