Friday, August 6, 2010

Mozambique: 'Cimentos De Mocambique' to Double Cement Production by 2011

Maputo — The company "Cimentos de Mocambique", the largest cement factory in Mozambique which is also a subsidiary of Cimpor - Cimentos de Portugal, is set to double its production by 2011, to reach one million tonnes per year, up from the current 500,000 tonnes.

According to the Monday's issue of the daily paper "Noticias", this could help to alleviate the persistent shortage of cement in the domestic market.

To that end, the company Cimentos de Mocambique, which is located in the southern province of Maputo, will install a new mill and three more packaging machines, an investment worth over 18 million euros.

Currently, there under way works for the construction of new structures that will accommodate the new mill, which is expected to be commissioned in May next year.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of Cimentos de Mocambique, Steffen Kasa, assured that the main pieces of equipment are already in the premises, including the new mill, and he believes that the works will be completed within the set deadline.

'We are currently installing a new mill and all major components which are already in the factory premises. We are doing civil works, mechanical operations, as well as the required electrical installation 'said Steffen Kasa.

The company believes that after completion, Cimentos de Mocambique will be in a position to meet the needs of cement in the domestic market until 2015. The company also expects to expand its production in other two factories, one located in the district of Dondo, central province of Sofala, and the other in the town of Nacala, in the northern province of Nampula, currently with an installed capacity of 240 and 120 tonnes respectively.

According to its projections this group expects to reach a production of 1.5 million tonnes by 2014, to meet the demand posed by a number of construction projects planned by both the Mozambican Government and the private sector in the sector of infrastructures.

Meanwhile, prices of cement have been increased on Sunday, and now a bag of 50 kilos is sold at the factory gate in Matola at 262.07 meticais up from the 238.68 meticais sold last week (there are about 35,83 meticais in one US dollar).

Sunera Cimento, another small factory located in the district of Boane, also in the southern province of Maputo, has increased cement prices from 250 to 285 meticais.

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