Tanga Cement to begin construction of new kiln line

Tanga Cement Company Ltd (TCCL) is soon to begin construction of a second kiln line that will more than double the company's clinker production and eliminate the need for costly clinker imports.

Briefing of distributors from Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions during a tour of Tanga's cement plant last weekend, Erik Westerberg, TCCL's managing director, said: "We expect that by completion, the kiln that will cost some US$165m will help the company in saving the colossal amount of money spent in the importation of clinker."

Mr Westerberg said construction of the 0.6Mta new kiln line is expected to begin soon. The project was awarded to FLSmidth and is expected to be completed by 1Q15. A second cement mill in 2010 boosted cement capacity at Tanga's plant from 0.75Mta to 1.2Mta. The company, in which AfriSam of South Africa has a 62.5 per cent stake, plans to raise its exports to other East African Community member states through the introduction of building depots, including two that are already operational in Rwanda and Burundi.