Zambezi Portland ups cement output

ZPC chief financial officer Peter Kang’ombe said in an interview that the company had increased monthly cement production from 36,000 tonnes to 39,000 tonnes in the last four months of 2013.

Mr Kang’ombe said despite the measure, local market demand for the commodity remained high, forcing the ZPC to reduce cement exports by nearly 10 per cent of the monthly output.

He said the Kalumbila Mine project by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) in Solwezi was one of the key projects where most of the cement from ZPC was being used.

“This quarter, we have increased our monthly production to 39,000 tonnes from 36,000 tonnes, in line with the growing market demand for cement locally.

“We have also cut down on exports by 10 per cent, with the main outside market being the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to its proximity,” he said.

Mr Kang’ombe, however, said despite the market situation, ZPC had not made any adjustments to the wholesale price of cement in the third quarter of 2013.

The local market price of a 50 kilogramme bag of cement produced by ZPC remains at K55, while that of the commodity sold in bulk, is K1, 100 per tonne.

Mr Kang’ombe said the cement manufacturing plant at ZPC operated consistently throughout the year and the firm’s workforce was well-maintained to ensure productivity.

ZPC produces about 1,400 tonnes of cement per day at its manufacturing plant in Ndola.

Times of Zambia