PPC Zimbabwe said that preliminary work for a new plant in Harare is complete and construction is scheduled to begin next month.

The country’s leading cement producer has reportedly secured approximately US$18m for the construction of the grinding facility, managing director, Njombo Lekula, told The Herald Business last week.

Road access network to the Harare plant has been completed and a temporary office has already been set up, paving the way for construction to begin in August.

Mr Lekula added that the company is also conducting a feasibility study for a clinker plant but that the Harare plant is the “main priority” at the moment.

Last year, PPC announced it would also construct a clinker plant in Mt Darwin in northern Zimbabwe and a cement mill in Tete province, Mozambique.