Cement News tagged under: southern Africa

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Zimbabwe considers limestone deposit consolidation amid efforts to reduce cement costs

28 October 2024, Published under Cement News

The government of Zimbabwe is exploring the consolidation of limestone deposits under either the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) or the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, as outlined in the new Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRGP). This short-term policy framework aims to attract significant investment into domestic clinker production, a critical element for cement manufacturing, in a bid to revive the manufacturing sector and reduce relianc...

PPC cement sales fall in 4M24-25

01 October 2024, Published under Cement News

PPC cement sales declined 4.6 per cent in South Africa and Botswana in the first four months of FY24-25. However, revenue increased by 1.6 per cent YoY, supported by a 5.5 per cent hike in prices. The company said it would continue to focus on the turnaround of its cement businesses to improve profitability and cash generation, focussing on people, organisational culture, processes as well as industrial and supply chain optimisation, reported The Star. “The South African cement business is...

Khayah Cement cites construction boom as an opportunity for growth

02 August 2024, Published under Cement News

Khayah Cement , formerly known as Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, has forecast that the cement sector is set to grow following a boom in the construction industry, driven by investments in infrastructure development by the government and private entities. The company cited this boom in construction as the cause of increased demand for cement in Zimbabwe. Government incentives and private investments in infrastructure have played a key role in the heightened demand for cement in the countr...

Botswana to boost production by 20% by September

20 May 2024, Published under Cement News

Cement production in Botswana is expected to increase by 20 per cent in preparation for new import restrictions being introduced by the country’s government from the strat of October. In a move designed to control the influx of imported cement, the Botswana government announced its intention to limit cement imports into the country to 1000kg quantities and no less, reports The Voice.  Cement demand in the country is currently around 0.6Mta with local cement production estimated at 0.45Mta...

Botswana to restrict cement imports

23 April 2024, Published under Cement News

Botswana’s government plans to introduce new restrictions for the import of cement in 50kg bags and only allow 1000kg bags from 1 October 2024, according to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela. This then provides an opportunity to look for partners and participate in this wealth creating initiative,' he said. The ban on 50kg bags would enable wealth creation by re-packaging cement in different bag sizes.

Capex falls behind targets for PPC

04 April 2024, Published under Cement News

PPC has announced that its capital expenditure fell behind targets for the period ending March 2024. This was due to a delay in the company’s fly ash project in Zimbabwe, which was announced last November. Delays in accessing the power plant, which halted the design and commercial contract, were also a key factor. PPC stated that, “Capital expenditure for the group remains behind the guidance of ZAR600m [US$32.2m] for the full financial year mainly due to the delay of the fly ash projec...

PPC's success in Zimbabwe is contrasted by surrounding regions

29 March 2024, Published under Cement News

South Africa-based cement manufacturer PPC Cement SA (PTY) Ltd  has announced that its operations in Zimbabwe are now debt free, with EBITDA improving 13.6 per cent, for the 10-month period ending January 2024).  However, in contrast, sales volumes for its South Africa and Botswana operations fell by four per cent when compared to the equivalent period in the previous year. A spokesperson for PPC said, “Sales volumes in the coastal region experienced a sharper decline than in the inland ...

Complex Ulco quarry relocation paves AfriSam’s cement future

19 March 2024, Published under Cement News

To guarantee its future, AfriSam has relocated the quarry of its Ulco plant in Northern Cape, South Africa. However, the project proved demanding on several fronts with technical and infrastructural issues requiring innovative design that respected pre-existing site conditions and integrated well with the requirements of nearby communities. By Hannes Meyer and Gavin Venter, AfriSam, South Africa. Located in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, AfriSam’s Ulco plant has a capacity of ...

Southern African transitions

18 March 2024, Published under Cement News

The cement markets of southern Africa have been gradually transitioning into more competitive areas with new investments. ICR reviews the young markets of Angola and Zambia as well as the more established market of South Africa.  While expansion projects are at a low due to overcapacity, market entrants see an industry in transition as domestic producers adapt to a new landscape (© Dangote Cement) While Angola, South Africa and Zambia all witnessed a post-pandemic economic r...

Schwenk Zement terminates Namibian purchase agreement

29 February 2024, Published under Cement News

The purchase agreement between Schwenk Zement International GmbH and RWCo GmbH regarding shares in Schwenk Namibia (PTY) Ltd has been cancelled. The agreement, which was signed on 6 April 2023, was for 100 per cent of the shares in Schwenk Namibia, which holds, inter alia, 69.83 per cent of Ohorongo Cement (PTY) Ltd and 100 per cent of Energy For Future (PTY) Ltd. The agreement was waiting on the approval of the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC).  According to RWCo, rather than a...