MALTA: Cement factory could be a contamination threat for major grain silo in Grand Harbour

The grain silo in the Grand Harbour is old and can easily be contaminated, The Committee for Environment and Development Planning heard during a session.

A cement factory was recently given the go-ahead to begin operations very close to the terminal itself. Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar Coordinator Astrid Vella said that even traces of cement in the grain could be detrimental to the health of citizens.

Mrs Vella mentioned that even one of the experts hired by the developers admitted that there was no guarantee that the grain would not be contaminated.

MEPA CEO Johann Buttigieg, who was present, argued that the cement factory has the latest technology and is completely enclosed, thus making it extremely safe. He also said that the grain silo is quite old and given all the activity around, including another cement factory 400 meters away, the grain could be contaminated from a number of things. He also said that when ships come to unload grain, the conveyor belts are exposed, and pigeons can contaminate the area.

Mrs Vella indicated that the silo provides 70 per cent of the grain used for bread made around Malta, resulting in 100,000 loaves of bread being produced daily. She argued that regardless of the technology available in the cement factory, trace elements could still get through, citing documents that argue the same.

It was also argued that while the technology used by the cement factory was state of the art, as time goes on, the cement factory will age, as had the grain silo, thus possibly creating a hazard in the future.

PL MP Godfrey Farrugia who was filling in for one of the Committee members, said that the health authorities must be asked to look into this and Chairman of the Committee Marlene Farrugia approved, stating that a letter will be sent to the Health Council to further delve into the issue.

KENYA: Cement firm sinks into huge net loss

East African Portland Cement has reported a massive Sh386.6 million net loss for the year ended June 30, a steep slide from a Sh1.78 billion net profit in the previous financial year.

The NSE-listed cement maker, which is majority owned by the State, blames poor show on a “difficult trading environment characterised by price competition, high staff costs and a weakening shilling”.

EAPCC said stellar performance in 2012/13 included Sh730 million in fair value gain on its property investments and an additional Sh594 million in foreign exchange gains, hence the stark dip in 2013/14.

Sales declined slightly in the period to Sh9.06 billion from Sh9.21 billion a year earlier on reported price undercutting in the increasingly competitive market. This was despite a two per cent growth in sales and production volumes.

“Turnover decreased by two per cent over prior year due to price reductions,” the firm said in a statement late Friday.

Pricing of cement has been under focus, with the competition watchdog – the Competition Authority of Kenya –opening an inquiry into influence of Lafarge Group on the market in May.

The French conglomerate owns a 58.9 per cent stake in Bamburi cement, the largest player in Kenya by market share, and 42 per cent in EAPCC.

The state controls a majority 52 per cent stake in EAPCC – 25 per cent directly through the National Treasury and 27 per cent indirectly through the National Social Security Fund.

Industrialisation Principal Secretary Wilson Songa argued last February that Larfarge's cross-shareholding in Bamburi and EAPCC bordered on “monopolistic” influences in the cement industry. The case is pending before the High court.

Bamburi reported a 28.1 per cent drop in net profit for the half-year period to June 2014 to Sh1.6 billion, but sales revenue was up by 8.9 per cent to Sh17.2 billion, nearly double EAPCC's full year’s Sh9.06 billion.

Although EAPCC's cost of sales contracted by a slim 3.3 per cent to Sh6.88 billion on “successful cost management and increasing efficiency”, administrative expenses edged higher by 33.5 per cent to Sh2.79 billion eating into profit.

It blamed the spike on Sh400 million spent on management and staff restructuring following a job evaluation, and Sh200 million paid to disputed contracts that went through arbitration in the focus year.

The cement maker however forecasts that its fortunes will rebound from this year on heavy infrastructural spending by the government and large scale real estate developments by the private sector.

“...the industry has attracted large investments by new and existing players hoping to cash in on the boom. The company has not been left behind and is aggressively investing in new machinery and equipment to improve efficiency and capacity,” EAPCC said.

EAPCC hopes to increase annual production capacity by 400,000 tonnes from this year, leveraging on a new pre-cast plant, packaging line, cement mill feeding system, among other new capital investments, at a cost Sh2.5 billion.

The bitter shareholder dispute pitting the government and Larfage, which started in 2012 with the latter insisting the state should dilute its shareholding, remains unresolved.

The two parties differed over Lafarge's nominee to the board, Didier Tresarrieu, during a heated general meeting last December which led to the ouster of former chairman Mark ole Karbolo last February. President Uhuru appointed former CMC chief executive Bill Lay to the position.

PAKISTAN: Corporate results: Fauji Cement’s earnings up 3%

Fauji Cement on Tuesday announced a net profit of Rs602 million during the first quarter (Jul-Sep) of fiscal year 2015, up just 3% year-on-year (YoY) compared to Rs582 million during the same period of the previous year.

Earnings per share (EPS) of the company increased to Rs0.45 from an EPS of Rs0.44 during the period under review. Earnings surged by 50% quarter on quarter because of an absence of preferred dividend, which was recorded at Rs273 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and a lower taxation rate of 32% (versus the 54% for fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014).

The earnings of the company were slightly lower than estimations of Rs0.48 per share because of a higher than anticipated exchange loss incurred during the period, Global Research reported on Tuesday. The company’s revenues increased by 8% YoY to Rs4.17 billion during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 due to a 4% YoY increase in cement prices to Rs516 per a 50-kg bag and a 3% year on year increase in cement dispatches to 0.59 million tons.

Sequentially, revenues slid by 16% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) because of a 14% quarter on quarter decline in cement off-take and a comparatively lower proportion of local dispatches.

The gross margins of the company declined by 1% YoY to 32% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 due to inflationary pressures. Sequentially, margins declined by 4% QoQ because of lower volumetric sales and a lower proportion of local dispatches.

USA: Contractors Feel The Pinch Of A Cement Shortage

Minnesota’s building contractors should be busy this time of year finishing up projects before winter sets in. But for many of them, it’s not a lack of work, but a shortage of concrete that’s slowing them down.

Disruptions in the main ingredient – cement – means the vital building material is being allocated across the state.

With temperatures dropping and another building season nearing the end, E.W. Construction is eager to get concrete poured and framing started. But that has been a challenge, because the shortage is disrupting concrete deliveries and making it tough to schedule jobs.

Eric Wisner says his company has to shop around just to find it the concrete his jobs require.

“The other company I always go through told me maybe a week and a half until I get probably get concrete,” Wisner said.

Luckily, Wisner and his crew found another concrete supplier. But he’s not the only contractor feeling the concrete pinch.

“They’ll tell you, ‘maybe we’ll be able to get you some mud and maybe we won’t,'” contractor Darcy Voehl said.

Voehl had concrete jobs delayed all summer long. It wasn’t for a lack of work, just a lack of concrete. Voehl says the problems began with a major cement manufacturer out of state.

“They had one plant down in Mason City (Iowa), Lehigh Cement, that’s burned up. So I guess that really struggled and I think it’s a lot of just getting transportation of getting it here,” Voehl said.

The problem got worse with delays in river barge and rail shipping. The Mississippi was closed to barge traffic for over a month this summer as dredging crews opened up shipping channels that were closed due to flooding.

That’s why ready mix plants around the state were put on allocation to spread available supplies around.

But the shortage is also adding to the bottom lines of construction projects.

“We’re spending a little more money to get the concrete I need. Turned out that way for this job,” Wisner said.

Voehl hopes to make it to Thanksgiving if the weather holds, allowing time to complete his scheduled jobs.

“Plenty of business and things to do, but now we’re pounding on the door of Mother Nature you know. She’s going to win the battle here shortly,” Voehl said.

They can pour concrete foundations and slabs for several more weeks so long as the temperatures don’t plummet. Voehl says he hopes the situation with cement improves in time for next spring’s construction season.

Much like Gov. Mark Dayton acted on last winter’s propane shortage, the Minnesota Aggregate and Ready Mix Association wants the same for the cement shortage.

On Thursday, representatives of the group will sit down with Dayton’s staff to ask for longer truck driver hours and increased weight restrictions on Minnesota’s roads. Both are intended to move more of the cement into the state and at greater speed.

MEXICO: Cemex descarta comprar activos de Holcim-Lafarge

La mexicana Cemex, una de las mayores cementeras del mundo, descartó el jueves que vaya a presentar una oferta de compra por activos disponibles de sus rivales europeas Holcim y Lafarge, luego de reportar menores pérdidas netas y mejores ventas en el tercer trimestre. 

El anuncio impulsó las acciones de Cemex , que cerraron con una ganancia del 3.18 por ciento, a 16.22 pesos, al eliminar preocupaciones de inversionistas ante la posibilidad de que la compañía pudiera requerir de deuda para llevar a cabo las adquisiciones.

"No necesitamos adquisiciones para darle valor a nuestros accionistas", dijo el director general de Cemex, Fernando González, en una conferencia con analistas, a pregunta expresa sobre el tema.

Varias fuentes dijeron a Reuters que Cemex había hecho equipo con la irlandesa CRH para explorar una propuesta y adquirir los activos que Lafarge y Holcim deben vender para que reguladores de competencia autoricen su fusión. 

González reiteró que la meta de la compañía es alcanzar un EBITDA (ganancia antes de intereses, impuestos depreciación y amortización) de 4,700 millones de dólares en el 2016 o principios del 2017, desde los 2,643 millones de dólares del 2013, en busca de recuperar el terreno cedido en su calificación crediticia. 

Cemex perdió el grado de inversión que asignan las agencias tras comprar en el 2007 a la australiana Rinker, en una operación que triplicó su deuda justo en los albores de la crisis hipotecaria en Estados Unidos, lo que a su vez derrumbó la demanda internacional de cemento. 

RECORTA PERDIDAS, PERO MENOS DE LO ESPERADO

La cementera, con operaciones en más de 50 países, recortó sus pérdidas netas del tercer trimestre a 106 millones de dólares, apoyada en mejores ventas y ganancias cambiarias, aunque la cifra rebasó las estimaciones. 

Analistas estimaron una pérdida neta de 37 millones de dólares para la cementera, frente al resultado negativo de 155 millones de dólares del mismo periodo del año pasado. 

Cemex agregó que sus ventas crecieron un 3.0 por ciento a 4,135 millones de dólares, mientras que su EBITDA subió en el mismo porcentaje a 767 millones de dólares, a un ritmo menor al esperado. Credit Suisse dijo que el reporte de Cemex estaba entre neutral y ligeramente positivo, con ventas y EBITDA abajo de lo esperado pero con un flujo de efectivo libre significativamente mucho mejor a su expectativa. 

Cemex dijo que su flujo de efectivo libre creció un 45 por ciento en el periodo julio-septiembre a 303 millones de dólares, por un menor gasto financiero y una reducción en los requerimientos de capital de trabajo. La recuperación de la demanda de cemento en Estados Unidos siguió siendo el principal impulso de los resultados, con un alza del 70 por ciento en el EBITDA de la región, gracias a mayores volúmenes de ventas y mejores precios. 

Cemex inició desde el año pasado una estrategia de aumentos de precios en busca de mejorar su rentabilidad y anunció una nueva ronda de incremento para inicios del 2015 en Estados Unidos, que variarán dependiendo de la región. La compañía elevó su plan de inversión para este año a 765 millones de dólares desde 670 millones de dólares previos. La deuda de Cemex al cierre de septiembre disminuyó un 1.0 por ciento a 16,949 millones de dólares. 

CANADA: Port-Daniel: Ciment McInnis menace d'abandonner le projet

Ciment McInnis fait planer la menace d'abandonner le projet de cimenterie à Port-Daniel au cas où celui-ci devrait être soumis à la procédure d'évaluation du Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE).

L'entreprise a inséré cette mise en garde dans la contestation qu'elle a produite à la Cour supérieure du Québec pour répliquer à la requête de Ciment Lafarge, du Centre québécois du droit de l'environnement et d'Environnement Vert-Plus.

Ciment McInnis indique que 7 entrepreneurs et près de 350 travailleurs travaillent déjà à la construction de la cimenterie. L'entreprise ajoute que les partenaires ont dépensé plus de 160 millions de dollars dans le projet, somme qui grimpera à 435 millions au mois de décembre.

«Par surcroit, les mises en cause McInnis ont finalisé et conclu un accord avec le syndicat bancaire au mois de juin 2014, lequel prévoit notamment que tout changement d'importance dans le projet, incluant la suspension des travaux, pourrait entraîner le retrait des prêteurs et ainsi entraîner la fin du projet, le tout tel que preuve en sera faite à l'audition», écrit Ciment McInnis dans sa contestation.

Requête en Cour supérieure

Lafarge et les deux organisations environnementales ont déposé en août dernier une requête en Cour supérieure pour faire invalider le certificat d'autorisation accordé au projet de cimenterie Port-Daniel par le ministère de l'Environnement. Les requérants veulent assujettir la cimenterie à la procédure d'évaluation et d'examen des impacts sur l'environnement du BAPE.

Dans sa contestation, Ciment McInnis soutient que depuis le début du projet, en 1993, le gouvernement a confirmé à plusieurs reprises que le projet était exempt du processus d'audiences publiques du BAPE.

Selon Québec, le projet n'est pas soumis au BAPE parce qu'il s'agit d'une modification à un projet soumis avant l'assujettissement des cimenteries au BAPE, en février 1996.

Ciment McInnis a profité du dépôt de sa contestation pour faire valoir que son projet était un modèle de performance environnementale grâce à des technologies de pointe.

L'entreprise a souligné que le montage financier du projet ne comportait aucune subvention gouvernementale.

Toutefois, Investissement Québec a annoncé un prêt de 250 millions et une participation de 100 millions en équité. Pour sa part, la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec a annoncé une participation de 100 millions. Il s'agit d'un projet de 1 milliard.

SLOVAKIA: Lafarge, Holcim Offer Selling Slovakia Unit for Merger

Holcim Ltd. (HOLN) and Lafarge SA (LG) officially notified the European Union of their merger, offering to sell operations in Slovakia as they seek approval of their plan to create the world’s largest cement maker.

The two companies held “constructive” pre-notification discussions with the European Commission, they said in a joint statement. As a result of the talks they’ve decided to keep a Lafarge plant in Austria and to sell Holcim’s operations in Slovakia. Other plants already earmarked for divestment include sites in France, Germany, the U.K. and Romania.

“Both companies will continue to consider whether further divestments would be necessary in areas where there are overlaps or to satisfy regulatory requirements,” they said.

A merger of the Swiss and French companies would combine cement- and crushed-rock operations with $40 billion in annual revenue. Divestments are weighted toward Europe, to cut exposure of both companies to the slower-growing region. The assets for sale represent about 12 percent of the combined sales of Zurich-based Holcim and Paris-based Lafarge, the companies said today.

The sale process is proceeding “very well,” Lafarge Chief Executive Officer Bruno Lafont said today on a conference call. “We have received many marks of interest” and both companies are confident that assets sales will be completed within the merger timeframe, he said.

Getting Clearance

The notification to the EU wraps up 20 filings by Lafarge and Holcim to get clearance for their planned merger, Holcim CEO Bernard Fontana said. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco, Kenya,South Africa and Singapore have already approved the merger, and talks with other regulators such as the U.S. are going on, he said.

When asked whether the companies need to sell assets in China or India to get local approval, Fontana said that those disposals would only be “marginal” if they were needed.

Under the EU’s merger-review process, most deals are cleared at the first hurdle. The commission can open an in-depth probe if the transaction raises competition concerns.

Bloomberg News reported Sept. 18 that Holcim and Lafarge were aiming to iron out possible EU concerns over the merged company’s market power before officially notifying, in a bid to obtain speedier final approval.

The Holcim CEO declined to say whether the EU is likely to rule on the merger through a so-called phase one review that lasts between 25 and 35 days, or through a longer, phase two, review that lasts an extra 90 to 105 days. He said he’s “confident in any case” that the process will allow the companies to complete the merger within the first half of next year.

With assets in Europe that total about $12 billion in sales, the merger approval of Holcim and Lafarge will be overseen by Margrethe Vestager, Denmark’s former minister of Economics & Interior who starts as EU competition commissioner Nov. 1.

CHINA: Shanshui Cement to Sell 20% Stake to CNBM for $201m

China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd. (691), said it will sell a 20 percent stake to China National Building Material Co. (3323), or CNBM, for HK$1.56 billion ($201 million) to fund debt payment

The Jinan, China-based cement maker will sell 563.2 million new shares at HK$2.77 each, according to a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange yesterday. The stock closed at HK$2.77 yesterday and has slumped 17 percent this year.

Shanshui said it plans to use the proceeds to replenish working capital, reduce its debt level and improve efficiency. Beijing-based CNBM said in a separate filing yesterday that the deal will promote cooperation with Shanshui and the “healthy development” of the regional cement industry.

Standard & Poor’s last month cut its rating on Shanshui to B+ from BB- because of the company’s “less than adequate” liquidity. Shanshui’s net income fell 52 percent from a year earlier in the first half of 2014 to 167.9 million yuan ($27.5 million), it said in a statement in August.

Policy makers in China plan to stabilize emissions from the steel and cement industries as it seeks to cut carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product, the National Development and Reform Commission said last month.

CNBM will own a 16.7 percent stake in Shanshui after dilution from the issue of new shares, the companies said yesterday.

COLOMBIA: Despacho de cemento gris crece en dos dígitos en septiembre

En un 10,6 % aumento el despacho de cemento gris en septiembre en comparación con el mismo periodo del año anterior, confirmó el Dane.

En dicho periodo la producción de cemento gris en el país alcanzó las 1.072 toneladas, lo que equivale a un incremento de 6,9 % con relación al mismo mes del año anterior. 

Así mismo, se despacharon 1.085,8 mil toneladas de cemento gris al mercado nacional, lo que significó un aumento de 10,6 %.

Esto se debe principalmente al crecimiento de 20,6 % en el canal de distribución comercialización, el cual aportó 10,1 puntos porcentuales a la variación.

Los principales incrementos en los despachos de cemento gris se registraron en Antioquia con 9,0 %, Cundinamarca con 13,9 %, Nariño con 104,8 %, Valle del Cauca con 10,8 %,Magdalena con 37,1 %, Bogotá con 5,0 %, Bolívar con 12,5 %, Atlántico con 12,6 % yHuila con 24,0 %, que aportaron en conjunto 8,2 puntos porcentuales a la variación total.

En lo corrido del año hasta septiembre de 2014 los despachos de cemento gris al mercado nacional crecieron 11,4 % frente al mismo periodo del año anterior. De igual manera, la producción de cemento gris aumentó 11,6 % al acumular 9.112,2 mil toneladas.

El incremento de los despachos de cemento gris de 11,4 % obedeció fundamentalmente al aumento de los canales: comercialización 12,7 %, concreteras 11,9 %, y constructores y contratistas 7,3 %, que juntos aportaron 10,7 puntos porcentuales a la variación. La única disminución se presentó en el canal prefabricados con -12,4 %.

Por el destino de los despachos, los que presentaron mayor variación positiva fueron: Antioquiacon 15,5 %, Cundinamarca con 19,7 %, Norte de Santander con 32,1 %, Magdalena con 32,7 %, Huila con 25,6 % y el área de Bogotá 4,1 %, juntos sumaron 6,6 puntos porcentuales a la variación total 11,4 %. Mientras que el departamento de Córdoba presentó una variación de -23,7 % restando 0,8 puntos porcentuales a la variación.

En los últimos doce meses hasta septiembre de 2014, se registró un incremento en la producción de cemento gris de 11,6 % con relación al mismo período del año anterior, alcanzando las 12.198,5 mil toneladas. Adicionalmente, los despachos al mercado nacional llegaron a 11.773,2 mil toneladas registrando un aumento de 11,0 %.

PHILIPPINES: Cement sales up by 11.9% in Q3–Cemap

CEMENT sales grew by 11.9 percent in the third quarter as clement weather allowed for increased construction activity, according to the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (Cemap).

Cemap President Ernesto Ordoñez said the outlook for cement sales for the year remains buoyant from the industry’s perspective despite a slow second-quarter growth of only 3.2 percent.

Cement sales for the third quarter alone amounted to 5.374 million metric tons (MMT), an 11.9- percent increase over last year’s sales of 4.805 MMT.

This brought the year-to-date sales volume to 16.093 MMT, a 7.7-percent improvement over last year’s nine-month sales of only 14.941 MMT.

According to Ordoñez, the pickup in cement consumption was due to better weather, a factor that may have affected sales, which were stunted, in the second quarter.

However, an industry source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the more telling factor that hindered more buoyant sales in the second quarter was the political turmoil, and its consequent impact on business, that came in the wake of the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The DAP was declared unconstitutional in the third quarter but the nature of the contentious program of the Department of Budget and Management have divided government since late 2013.

The DAP was said touted as an economic stimulus program meant to speed up the public disbursement process and help boost economic expansion.

The program diverted savings and approved funds from slow-moving government projects to new activities/projects. Increased spending on infrastructure projects was one of the activities funded by the

DAP mechanism.

An industry source also predicted a more pronounced demand for cement may be realized toward the end of the year as spending for public infrastructures accelerate.

Ordoñez said the acceleration from the second-quarter sales growth of only 3.2 percent to 11.9 percent bodes well for the industry.

MOROCCO: Holcim forecasts slowdown in cement market

The Moroccan branch of cement company Holcim expects the national cement market to have overall sales of 14.3million tonnes in 2014, representing a decrease of 4-6% compared to 2012.

For 2015, the company expects cement sales to shrink by 3% to 13.9million tonnes before stabilising at 13.7million tonnes in 2016-2017.

The group expects sales will be flat in the second half of 2014 due to a succession of religious holidays.

The company is also reported to be concerned about rising costs, notably a 10% increase in the price of electricity, as passing these on in the form of price increases may have a detrimental effect on sales.

While Holcim is set to merge with Lafarge, the company has announced there are no plans to cut investment projects.

BOLIVIA: La ABC licita cemento Portland

La Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC), Gerencia regional de Oruro, publicó la licitación internacional para la compra de cemento Portland Tipo IP – 40, para la construcción del pavimento rígido del tramo II Kulluri – Ancaravi.

La información fue oficializada por el gerente regional, Edwin Gonzales Murillo, quien indicó que tras proseguir los procedimientos se procedió a la publicación en el Sistema de Contrataciones Estatales (Sicoes).

“Ya se tiene un cronograma de esta licitación, esperamos que las empresas interesadas presenten sus propuestas para la provisión de cemento Portland IP – 40 hasta el 19 de noviembre, de acuerdo al cronograma”, señaló.

El tramo II Kulluri – Ancaravi tiene una longitud de 42 kilómetros, una inversión de 125 millones de bolivianos, la empresa contratista es Congar y Asociado; la supervisión está a cargo de Ecoviana y la fiscalización por parte de la ABC Oruro.

Explicó que la cantidad que se requiere de cemento asfaltico IP – 40 es de 26.600 toneladas; el precio referencial del proceso de contratación es de 31.020.920 bolivianos; y el plazo de entrega es de 319 dias.

La autoridad departamental aclaró que de acuerdo al contrato con la empresa con Congar y Asociado, la ABC debe aprovisionar el cemento Portland tipo IP – 40, de la pavimentadora de molde deslizante de propiedad de la institución caminera.

De acuerdo al cronograma, el lunes 27 de octubre es la fecha de la reunión de aclaración para las empresas interesadas; el 29 de octubre se aprobará el Documento base de Contrataciones (DBC) con enmiendas, si es que existiesen, informó la estatal de caminos.

Las empresas interesadas en el proceso de contratación deben presentar boleta de garantía; póliza de seguro de causión de primer requerimiento; además de otros documentos establecidos exigidos por la entidad contratante.

“En base al cronograma establecido en el Documento Base de Contrataciones para adquisición de de bienes, el próximo 19 de noviembre es el plazo para la presentación de propuestas y el 24 de noviembre se conocerá la empresa que se adjudicará la provisión del cemento Portland Tipo IP – 40”, señaló.

Edwin Gonzales sostuvo con la reciente liberación del banco de agregados de la comunidad de Agua de Castilla, se garantiza la construcción de los 42 kilómetros con pavimento rígido entre Kulluri – Ancaravi.

Explicó en el sector de Janco Kala ya se concluyeron los trabajos de voladura en roca, ya que se tiene el equipo pesado necesario en la obra, además de los volquetes para el traslado de los materiales.

“El compromiso de la ABC lo vamos a cumplir, hace algunas semanas atrás concluimos el Tratamiento Superficial Doble de Toledo – Kulluri, ahora estamos encarando a paso firme los trabajos en el tramo II Kulluri - Ancaravi, los orureños y orureñas deben estar tranquilos que terminaremos este último tramo entre Oruro y Pisiga en la gestión 2015”, señaló.

GABON: Des investissements prometteurs en cours au Gabon

L’entreprise CIMAT qui compte répondre de manière définitive à la forte demande du marché gabonais en terme de ciment, a annoncé de nouvelles acquisitions et des innovations techniques importantes qui permettront de booster la capacité de l'ensemble de ses unités de production.

Concrètement, « il s'agit d'installer un four de dernière génération d'une capacité de production oscillant entre 3600 et 4000 tonnes par jour. Cette installation qui répond aux standards internationaux européens est essentielle pour la fabrication d'un ciment de haute qualité », soulignent les responsables de l'entreprise.

A ce jour, CIMAT dit avoir déjà mobilisé 23 milliards de franc CFA pour la construction d'un centre de broyage et de mise en sachet dans la commune d'Owendo.

Face à ces ambitions, le volet recrutement n'est pas en reste puisque d'après l’entreprise, grâce aux innovations réalisées, environ 200 emplois supplémentaires devraient être créés, une fois l'exploitation effective.

Le secteur du ciment est très porteur au Gabon au regard de l'importance de la demande avec les chantiers de constructions visibles à travers le pays.

Toutefois, le marché gabonais du ciment demeure l'un des rares de la sous-région à pratiquer un prix de commercialisation très élevé (5.000 francs CFA le prix du sac de ciment de 50 kg au Gabon contre environ 3.500 francs CFA au Cameroun voisin).

Avec ces innovations qui augurent de beaux jours en perspectives pour l’entreprise CIMAT, et une augmentation de la production journalière, peut-on s'attendre à une amélioration du prix unitaire de commercialisation de ce produit jugé trop élevé par les entrepreneurs locaux?