Mozambique's newest market entrant, Cimentos da Beira, is due to start up its 0.8Mta grinding plant is in October, according to the company's managing director, Wouter Trollip.

The new facility will enter service after the substation has been tested, according to Mr Trollip. He further said the plant already has over 40,000t of clinker in stock to start cement production as soon as the power supply is guaranteed.

As well as serving the local market, it also plans to export some of its cement production to neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, Mr Trollip added.

With British and South African investment of about US$45m through the company’s London-based Ambrian plc, Cimentos da Beira employs 70 workers and guarantees it has followed internationally-accepted dust abatement standards.

Sofala province has a further two cement plants: Cimentos de Moçambique and Austral Ciment, an Austrian investment, both located in Dondo.