Africa & The Middle East

Cement production capacity in Nigeria is expected to reach 39 million tonnes this year, while Dangote looks at opportunities in Asia and South America.

Enugu State Government has signed an MoU with China’s Goalmark Group for the establishment of an industrial park, which will include cement and coal facilities.

Packing machine specialist and supplier Haver & Boecker has opened a subsidiary company in Lagos, Nigeria, to aid the company’s partnership with Dangote Group.

A court of appeals has overturned an earlier decision to cancel Cemex’s 1999 purchase of Assiut Cement Company. The case will now be referred to an administrative court.

Oman’s leading cement manufacturer orders Siwertell unloading and conveying system for cement handling.

Operations at Addoha Group’s cement facility in Cameroon are due to start up in February 2014 following the completion of bagging tests in January.

Athi River Mining faces opposition from NGOs while East African Portland Cement considers building a new cement plant.

Sephaku Cement’s Delmas plant has dispatched its first product in South Africa.

Oman Cement Company has placed an order with FLSmidth for the supply of milling equipment at its cement plant in Rusayl, Oman.

A mining levy introduced in December is likely to push up construction prices in Kenya, adding Sh7 to the price of a 50 kg bag of cement.

Saudi Cement has recorded an 8% decrease in profit y/y for 4Q13 due to a drop in sales.

Despite a drop in November – December 2013, Saudi cement sales have seen a 4% y/y increase to 55.6 million t in 2013.

China Triumph International Engineering Group Co. and STG Engineering and Real Estate Development Company have signed a contract to build a 4200 tpd cement plant in Adrar, Algeria.

Dangote Cement is expecting the completion of five complete cement plants across Africa this year, significantly increasing the company’s capacity.

A rise in construction and infrastructure projects in Qatar in 2013 has boosted economic growth in the country by 6.2%, according to the latest report released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.