Steel Industry Body Renewed Call to End Ban on Scrap Metal Exports

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) has reiterated its call to the country’s government to end the ban on exports of scrap metal.

In a meeting with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, the industry body warned that the ongoing ban is threatening to collapse the steel industry. It urged the Minister not to take a narrow and short-term view, instead to take a holistic, long-term view regarding the scrap metal regulations.

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SIESFA renewed its earlier view that the ban has not been instrumental in putting an end to infrastructure damage or scrap metal theft. However, it has significantly hurt the country’s economy.

It must be noted that the scrap metal export ban was initially set to expire in mid-June last year but was extended for a period of six months until 15^th December, 2023. Later, the government had initiated a public consultation period, which was extended until mid-January this year.

Several alternatives to export ban have been proposed. One such alternative is an industry pledge to boost efforts to combat illegal scrap metal trade, in cooperation with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).