Namibia ’ s deputy minister of Mines and Energy , Kornelia Shilunga , presided over the inauguration of the composite cement plant and third packaging line at the Ohorongo Cement Plant in Otavi . The NAD150-million expansion is expected to increase the plant ’ s production capacity to one million tonnes per year , according to the New Era newspaper . Ohorongo Cement has received ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications , as well as NAMS / EN 197-1:2014 certification from the Namibia Standards Institution . The new packaging line will increase the packaging of cement from 4 400 bags / hour to 6 800 bags / hour , and allow for the packaging of different stock keeping units , both 50kg and bulk . Ohorongo Cement has also installed a two-tonne ‘ big-bag ’ filling station for special projects .
PPC Zimbabwe has commissioned its USD85-million , 700 000 tonne per annum cement grinding plant in Msasa , Harare , according to a report in the News Day newspaper . The plant , built by China ’ s Sinoma International , will double PPC ’ s annual national production capacity to 1.4 million tonnes and will be officially opened in March 2017 . According to PPC CEO Darryll Castle , the plant is part of a bigger plan to develop a fully integrated plant in Harare . Managing director of PPC Zimbabwe , Kelibone Masiyane , said that the company appreciates government ’ s continued protection of the cement manufacturing industry from cheap imports , but stated the cost of both electricity and labour is high in the country compared to its neighbours .
Darryll Castle , chief executive officer of PPC , said in an interview with Bloomberg that he expects the impending start of production at plants in the DRC and Ethiopia to help transform the company into a sub-Saharan African producer . The company needs to rebuild credibility with investors after it was forced to raise ZAR4-billion in a rights offer in 2016 to service debt , he said . Castle also said that the South African market would benefit from consolidation because there are too many producers for its size . According to people familiar with the matter , PPC and AfriSam revived merger discussions in November after walking away from a tie-up in early 2015 .
FLSmidth to raise profile in Africa
FLSmidth
An FLSmidth F900 high-pressure grinding roll ( HPGR ) unit with drive train during installation .
FLSmidth
The FLSmidth CCD thickener installation at Swakop Uranium .
FLSmidth ’ s South African business has decided to reshape the way it serves its customer base , providing easier access to FLSmidth global product experts and enabling customers to interact with highly proficient technical personnel and engineers . The company believes that greater OEM end user engagement will ensure improved operational performance at plants , and intends to raise its African profile by increasing customer interaction and appointing dealers and distributor networks .
According to newly appointed commercial manager of minerals for sub-Saharan Africa , Terence Osborn , the introduction of appropriate new technology through skilled applications consulting will help reduce customers ’ operating costs . Osborn , together with Deon de Kock , FLSmidth country manager and vice president for minerals sub-Saharan Africa , has been instrumental in identifying opportunities where the company ’ s teams will be able to add value to customers across the African continent .
“ Customers in Africa have access to FLSmidth ’ s vast portfolio of quality technology solutions , and with skilled people on the ground we are more than capable of effectively assessing individual application requirements ,” Osborn says . This includes collaboration on greenfields
4 _ QUARRY SA | JANUARY 2017