Beni Suef begins construction of coal mill, Egypt

Beni Suef Cement has began the construction of the coal mill worth EGP200m (US$26.3m), to be used as an alternative to natural gas and heavy fuel oil at its cement plant in Egypt.

Farouk Mustafa, managing director of the company, said he expects the project to be completed in October, adding that the project is being partly funded through a EGP100m loan with Egyptian Gulf Bank.

Mustafa said that using mazut as a temporary measure to prevent natural gas shortages halting production. However, Mustafa said this solution has not prevented losses due to lack of energy which have resulted in only 50 per cent productivity.