Mozambique: Cimentos de Moçambique, now owned by Huaxin Cement, has tripled the production capacity of its integrated cement plant in Nacala in the northern province of Nampula, from 0.4Mt/yr to 1.2Mt/yr, in an investment valued at US$110m. The plant supplies cement to the country’s entire northern region, in addition to exporting cement to Comoros and Madagascar, according to The Club of Mozambique news.
Fernando Barreto, executive director of Cimentos de Moçambique, said “With the new kiln and the investment made, we have begun producing clinker. It is a historic milestone for the region, as we are guaranteeing supply for the entire northern zone and boosting the country’s production capacity.” He said that the company had stopped importing 0.3Mt/yr of clinker.
The plant will also supply cement to the liquefied natural gas project in Afungi, Cabo Delgado province. Barreto added “In addition to the plant, we built a jetty that will allow cement to be transported directly to the gas project. We estimate consumption of close to 0.12Mt in the coming year during the initial phase, ensuring local content for one of the largest ongoing investments in the country. Two years ago, we sometimes experienced cement shortages in the north. By ending clinker imports and increasing production efficiency, we have managed to lower production costs, a change that is already reflected in the price of cement.”