Birla Corp mulls Ethiopian cement plant

India-based Birla Corporation is considering setting up a cement plant in Ethiopia, according to a senior official.

The company has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Birla Corp Cement Manufacturing Plc, in the country and secured a limestone mining licence. It has also applied for a coal mining permit, chairman Harsh V Lodha, told reporters at the sidelines of the company’s AGM.

“We have formed a subsidiary to apply for the necessary licences. Once we get a coal mining permit, we will study the market to decide on the next course of action,” Business Standard quoted Mr V Lodha as saying.

The ban on limestone mining at its Chanderia unit in Rajasthan, India, since August last year is still affecting Birla Corporation’s cement business. The company is contemplating a legal move against a stay on limestone mining operations at Chanderia.