Burundi Cement Co receives go-ahead for limestone quarry

Burundi Cement Co (BUCECO) has received government approval to start limestone exploitation on the edges of Cibitoke. Initially, the quarried limestone will meet 60 per cent of national demand but by 2020, the quarry is expected to cover the entire requirement.

BUCECO was founded in 2004 by Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa. It currently employs 80 people.

In March it announced that it had doubled production from 34,500t in 2011 to 70,500t in 2012. The producer also saw profits rise from BIF12.9bn (US$10m) BIF31.4bn (US$22m) in the two-year period.

Before the 0.1Mta plant entered service, Burundi imported its entire cement requirement from east African countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. However, BUCECO intends to double its current capacity through an expansion project and the installation of a new raw material plant.