Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) New Zambian wholly-owned company to build $20m Lime plant

New Zambian wholly-owned company to build $20m Lime plant
Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 10:15

Over 50 jobs will soon be created in Ndola following a decision by a local firm Astrea Investments Limited (AIL) to construct a modern quick lime processing plant in Ndola at a cost of US$20 million this year.

The company will be the second one to venture into lime processing activities in Ndola apart from the existing Ndola Lime Company. AIL public relations manager Kelvin Sampa said plant construction is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.

The plant will have a capacity of 300 tonnes of highly reactive quick lime per day and hopes to end the monopoly in lime supply.

Mr Sampa said this in an interview in Ndola, adding that over 50 jobs will be created and the number is expected to increase in due course.

He said the plant will create opportunities for local people and enhance poverty alleviation.

“It will take 16 months to complete the state-of-the art quick lime plant to be situated in Ndola,” he said.

The company has purchased equipment for the plant from Europe and indicates that it will meet the international environmental standards for pollution control.

Mr Sampa said AIL is a new Zambian wholly-owned company that has expressed interest in the lime manufacturing sector following the high demand for the product due to increased mining projects in Zambia.

He said the company will supplement the insufficient lime products on the market which at times are imported from South Africa and the Middle East.

“The demand for lime is so high that some stakeholders ended up importing from South Africa and the Middle East,” he said.

He said good investment policies have resulted into increased investment on the Copperbelt, and Ndola in particular, adding that Government has continued to attract both local and foreign direct investments.

“We commend Government for ensuring that there is a level playing field in the country by coming up with policies that will advance investment in all economic sectors,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Labels: CONSTRUCTION, NDOLA LIME

posted by MrK @ 3:21 PM