The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Tuesday, February 13, 1968 — The promise of a bright industrial future for Que Que was held out by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr Mussett, when he addressed the Que Que Chamber of Commerce this afternoon.

Que Que will benefit directly from the establishment of the 17 000 000 nitrogenous fertiliser factory announced last month. But there may be additional benefits to come.

Mr Mussett told the chamber that one of the reasons for the choice of sight was the proximity of Risco.

When the fertiliser plant gets going, the quantity of surplus oxygen available will be sufficient to produce more than 1 000 000 tonness of oxygen-blown steel a year.

He said that because the plant would be producing ammonium nitrate as an end product, there would be available for other industrial processes not only hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, but also ammonia and nitric acid.

The Minister said: “The factory itself requires the use of certain materials and I understand that, after they have become established, thought will be given to the manufacturer of one particular chemical which in turn will give rise to a co-product which is also basic to the development of other chemical industries.

“Both have application in paper making and, looking ahead, could be in considerable demand.”

Apart from the increase in industrial activity, Que Que would gain from the demand for houses and for goods and services which the new industries and their workers would generate.