Sabah’s largest clinker, cement factory to operate this year
KOTA KINABALU: The largest clinker and cement factory in Sabah, is expected to start operations before the end of this year.
General manager of Borneo Cement Sabah Sdn Bhd (BCS), Micheal Kinsuan, said his side is now just waiting for the final process of the Federal Department of Environment (DOE) study.
“We will start the first phase of work as soon as we get the green light from the DOE.
“Currently we are preparing the cooperation of all involved departments as a final procedure before obtaining certification from DOE,” he said when met at his office.
However, he said the construction of a paved road of 26 kilometers will be carried out first from Kampung Matiku, Nabawan to the BCS factory site.
Micheal explained that the electricity and water supply will be built simultaneously with the 60-kilometer telecommunications tower that will also be enjoyed by the surrounding residents.
According to him, the State Government has gazetted 700 acres for the factory site in Bukit Sinobang, Kampung Kawayoi 130 kilometers from Pekan Tongod.
An area of 500 acres is earmarked for the clinker plant, while another 200 acres are for the factory, packaging, operations office and workers’ quarters.
He explained that a total of 1,000 workers are needed, of which 20 percent are skilled, while the rest are semi-skilled and individuals qualified in related fields. Micheal said there are six main ingredients that are mixed to make clinker before being processed into cement.
All the mineral materials limestone, coal, clay, sandstone and shale - can be mined in the area.
Only one material, gypsum, has to be imported from Indonesia, but only 10 percent of the mixture is needed to produce cement.
Micheal explained the factory will be equipped with automatic machines and it will be controlled digitally through computers.
Stone roller conveyer will be used along 300 meters from the mine to the cement processing plant. Micheal said that BCS also built a health clinic in Kampung Kawayoi in addition to upgrading the surau and church in the nearby area.
The proposed RM2 billion project is implemented by a local company, Setia Alam Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Sedco through the investment of a company based in China, Sinoma Bhd.