Dangote investment takes shape
EXPERTS from Dangote Cement Zimbabwe have begun preparatory work at various mineral-rich sites across the country ahead of establishment of an integrated US$400 million cement plant.
The Sunday Mail has gathered that the group, including geologists, has been stationed in Zimbabwe for months, and has sampled limestone and coal deposits.
DCZ is owned by Nigerian billionaire and Africa’s richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, who also plans to invest in coal mining and power generation in Zimbabwe.
DCZ, which is operating under holding company Dangote Zimbabwe, secured an investment licence and registered with the Registrar of Companies in 2015 when Mr Dangote visited Harare.
The company has received nearly all relevant statutory clearances.
According to Zimbabwe Investment Authority chief operations officer Mr Sichoni Takalozi, what remains is for DCZ to get environmental impact assessment clearance once it secures an operations site.
Said Mr Takalozi: “Mr Dangote’s investment is a massive project that will take some time to reach the full operation stage. We understand that right now, they are carrying out due diligence on various mineral samples at different sites.
“Once they are satisfied with the samples after scientific analysis, they will begin the processes leading to full operation. This includes getting EIA clearance from the Environmental Management Agency, which, I understand, will not be much of a problem.
“They have met nearly all statutory requirements for operating in Zimbabwe.
‘‘As far as we are concerned, Dangote Holdings is already operational at an implementa- tion stage.”
Mr Takalozi said the quality of mineral samples would determine the design of the mining complex and the equipment required.
Dangote Zimbabwe has engaged local law firm Dube, Manikai and Hwacha to handle the legal aspects around its multi-million-dollar investments.
An official with the law firm, Ms Chipo Sachikonye, said: “Revealing information about Mr Dangote’s investments will be a violation of the client-lawyer privilege since we have not been given instructions to speak to the media,” she said.
The cement plant will have annual production capacity of 1,5 million tonnes.
Dangote Zimbabwe will also construct a 250MW power station worth US$400 million and open a US$300 million coal mine.
Mr Dangote — ranked 67 on the Forbes World’s Richest Men List — visited Zimbabwe in August 2015 after TV host Ms Josy Mahachi encouraged him to consider investing in the Southern African country.
During his visit, the billionaire met President Mugabe at State House in Harare where he laid the groundwork for major investments.
Authorities subsequently set up the Inter-Agency Platform — co-ordinated by the Office of the President and Cabinet – to handle those investments.