Cement News tagged under: Southern Africa

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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...

PPC concludes 51% CIMERWA stake disposal

29 January 2024, Published under Cement News

PPC has concluded the sale of its 51 per cent stake in CIMERWA , Rwanda. The South Africa-based cement producer sold its shareholding for US$42.5m to National Cement Holding Ltd. The sale enables PPC to focus on its core domestic market, where it sees opportunities to improve profitability and secure a more sustainable return on capital, reports The Chronicle. In a notice to shareholders, PPC Chief Executive Officer, Matias Cardarelli, said: "I am pleased with the timely completion of t...

Aggregate Industries appoints group strategy and commercial growth director

23 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Aggregate Industries , part of Holcim , has appointed Kaziwe Kaulule as its new group strategy and commercial growth director. With a career spanning over 19 years with the Holcim Group, Mr Kaulule brings extensive experience to the role, including operations, digital transformation, business development, and mergers and acquisitions. His most recent role was as chief executive officer (CEO) at Lafarge Industries South Africa . He has also served as CEO at Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe and h...

Afrimat's acquisition of LSA gets Commission approval

08 November 2023, Published under Cement News

South Africa’s Competition Commission has approved Afrimat’s acquisition of Lafarge SA , subject to a number of conditions. The deal, which is worth nearly ZAR1bn (US$54.59m), was found to raise a number of competition issues, according to the Commission, and would result in the lessening of competition in the aggregates and ready-mixed concrete sectors, reports Business Day. As a result, the Competition Commission has recommended that the merged entity divests its interests in general aggr...

PPC Zimbabwe managing director steps down

19 October 2023, Published under Cement News

PPC Zimbabwe Ltd has announced the resignation of its managing director, Kelibone Masiyane. Mr Masiyane joined the company in 1994 as a trainee electrical engineer at the Colleen Bawn plant, before becoming manager of both that and the Bulawayo plant in 2009. He was appointed managing director of PPC in 2016, reports Chronicle. “After 29 years of service at PPC Zimbabwe Limited, seven years of which were spent at the helm of the company, Mr Kelibone Masiyane informed the board of the...