South Africa was ranked the 20’th largest crude steel producing country in the world by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) in 2004 and as net exporting country (exports-imports) of primary steel, South Africa was ranked 8th in the world during 2002. South Africa is also the largest steel producer in Africa, producing 57% of the total crude steel production of the continent during 2004. Total South African crude steel production amounted to 9,4 million tons in 2004.