Cement plant breathes new life in Redcliff
A CHINESE investor, Mortal Investments Manufacturing Company has commenced the construction of a $10 million cement manufacturing plant in Redcliff after buying 100 000 square metres of land from the municipality.
Mortal Investments partnered with a consortium of local businesspeople and bought 100 000 square meters of land from Redcliff Municipality for $600 000.
In an interview, Redcliff Mayor Councillor Freddy Kapuya said work on the new plant that is likely to change the face of Redcliff was already underway and the company is likely to commence operations soon. He said the company will use slag — a byproduct of Zisco from smelted iron ore. Slag is a major component in the manufacturing of Portland cement, which is cement manufactured from chalk and clay which hardens under water and when hard resembles Portland stone in colour.
It is usually mixed with quarry to form hard concrete slabs usually used in the construction of bridges.
“Work on the construction of a $10 million cement manufacturing plant by Chinese investor, Mortal Investments Manufacturing Company has started. We are very close to the raw materials of cement and that only is an attraction to cement manufacturing companies. This is why Mortal Investments came to us because we are very close to the raw materials. At least 95 percent of cement is made from slag of which we have it in millions of tonnes at Zisco,” said Clr Kapuya.
He said Mortal Investments Manufacturing Company initially wanted to buy three companies in Redcliff to form a conglomerate.
“Mortal Investments approached us last year and initially they wanted to buy three of the companies in Redcliff but later on they realised that the space which they wanted which is about 100 000 square meters was not enough. They approached us and we gave them rebates of not paying rates for the first three years but they would have to pay for the service charges. They then paid us $600 000,” he said.
Clr Kapuya said the company is 75 percent locally owned while the 25 percent stake is owned by Chinese investors. He said the company will breathe life into the town and expressed hope that it will employ around 400 workers.
“The Chinese firm has partnered with local businesspeople to set up a state-of-the-art plant that will employ over 400 people in Redcliff. This will have a positive impact on the lives of the people in Redcliff,” said the Mayor.
In December last year a Japanese investor, Yakushuku Manufacturing Company approached Redcliff Municipality proposing to set up a $25 million cotton ginning factory and yarn cotton manufacturing plant. Clr Kapuya said the Japanese company intends to use solar-powered technology for its operations with the excess power generated being fed into the national grid. He said once the deal was sealed it will be another platform to boost the economy of the town.