President Evo Morales of Bolivia opened the first integrated cement plant in Itacamba at the weekend, in the department of Santa Cruz.

Following an investment of US$220m, the Itacamba Cimento SA 2000tpd cement plant in Yacuses has started commercial production to reduce the country's reliance on imports. The works will guarantee the supply of cement for projects in Santa Cruz and Beni, with plans to expand deliveries to Tarija. Gebr Pfeiffer provided a MPS 3750 B raw mill for this project.

President Morales recalled that in 2016, Bolivia was South America's leading country in economic growth, changing the country's fate from previous years when it ranked last.