adminLovemore Zigara, Midlands Correspondent
CONSTRUCTION of the $10 million cement plant in Redcliff has been completed.
Chinese investor, Mortal Investments Manufacturing Company commenced the construction of the cement plant in the satellite town of Kwekwe in August after buying 100 000m2 of land from the municipality.
About 400 people are expected to be employed at the new firm.
Redcliff Municipality Mayor Councillor Fred Kapuya told Business Chronicle that the plant is now under test run before the commissioning, which is likely to be done early next year.
“The investors came to my office two weeks ago and informed me that the project has been completed. I have personally toured the project, which is on test run and awaiting commissioning,” he said.
Clr Kapuya said the company was the biggest investment in the town in the last 10 years.
The new cement company will use slag — a by-product from the manufacture of steel at Zisco.
Clr Kapuya said as part of the investment incentive, the new company will for the next three years be exempt from paying rates .
The cement company is expected to stimulate economic growth in the town, which has suffered massive de-industrialisation since the closure of Ziscosteel in 2008.
Mortal Investments becomes the fourth player in the country’s cement sector after Pretoria Portland Cement, Lafarge and Sino Zimbabwe Cement Company.
— @lavuzigara1
Online Reporter