Hebei plans to build a plant in South Africa in 2017

China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group plans to build a 5Mtpa steel plant in South Africa in 2017, a company spokesman said.

Zhang Hai, vice president of Hebei Iron and Steel, said at an industry conference, "We are currently choosing a location for the construction of the plant."

Zhang said the company is also interested in steel mills in Eastern Europe, but added that negotiations are still at an early stage.