The new cement plant currently under construction in Barranco Amarillo, Peña, Yaracuy state, has been completed 70 per cent and is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2017, according to the Yaracuy government.

Following commissioning, the mini plant, which represents an investment of US$15m, is expected to produce 4.5m cement bags per year destined for public works projects.

Yaracuy State Governor, Julio León, said during an inspection of the plant: "It is expected that the plant is ready for the end of December and the first quarter of 2017 it is fully operational, despite the difficulties imposed by opposition sectors that only seek to create unrest in the population,"

He added that the state not only was home to high-quality limestone deposits, but also had other relevant inputs such as gypsum, clay and petcoke to produce “a high-quality cement at a very low price.” He estimates reserves to last at least 100 years.