PPC in Zimbabwean expansion drive
11 February 2013
South African cement manufacturer Pretoria Portland Cement's (PPC's) Zimbabwean
subsidiary, Portland Holdings Limited (PHL), is to build a new cement plant in the
country to service its markets in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The announcement was made during PHL's centenary celebrations in Harare on 6
February.
"The preliminary study for a new plant in the Mashonaland province is at an
advanced stage and a significant investment has already been made in exploration
drilling at various locations," PPC said in a statement.
A feasibility study will be carried out, as well as the selection of a supplier.
"In recent years our investment in Zimbabwe has show strong growth on the back of
a more buoyant and stable economy," said PPC's chief executive officer, Ketso
Gordhan.
"This, together with the fact that PPC has received an indigenisation certificate
makes us optimistic about the future of the economy and
the country as a whole."
The new plant will produce about one-million tonnes of cement annually, and will
work with the separate grinding facility being constructed in Tete in Mozambique.
"The construction of additional cement capacity will ensure that PPC continues to be
a key player in the development of infrastructure in Zimbabwe and neighbouring
countries," Gordhan said.
"It is totally in line with our stated strategy of growing our non-South African
revenue from the current 21% to at least 40% by 2016.
"Not only will this investment address the expected future increase in cement
demand in Zimbabwe, but create employment opportunities, beneficiation of the
country's mineral reserves and a significant growth opportunity for our indigenisation
partners," said PHL's managing director, Zak Limbada.
PPC is the leading supplier of cement in southern Africa, with eight cement
manufacturing facilities and three milling depots in South
Africa, Botswana and
Zimbabwe with total capacity of eight-million tons cement annually.
PPC also produces aggregates, metallurgical-grade lime, burnt dolomite and
limestone, and exports cement and lime to various African countries.
SAinfo reporter
PPC is a leading supplier of cement in southern Africa, with a presence in the DRC, Ethiopia and Rwanda (Photo: PPC)
