Lafarge to spend US$20m on Harare plant upgrade

Lafarge Cement is planning to invest US$20m in the rehabilitation of its Harare works in Zimbabwe to boost volumes.

The company aims to increase utilisation from the current 70 to 90 per cent once work is complete.

In an interview with All Africa News, Lafarge Cement chairman Johnathon Shoniwa said: "In the short-term we are focusing on existing plant rehabilitation as believe there is potential to produce more volumes that will satisfy the local and the export market." He highlighted that for the past five years the company has been spending about US$5m on plant refurbishment projects.

Mr Shoniwa also added that the company has reduced its export volumes of cement to regional markets due to the fluctuation of the South African Rand.