According to local press reports, the Venezuelan government has approved a US$74 million investment in the construction, installation and equipment for five mini cement plants in the country.
The project is being carried out in partnership with India’s Megatech International Private Limited, which manufactures mini cement plants.
The plants will be established in Portuguesa, Aragua, Yaracuy, Cojedes and Mérida. The project will be developed in two stages. The first will include the establishment of a pilot plant in Portuguesa and the construction of a further two plants, one in Cojedes and the other in Yaracuy. Each plant will have the capacity to produce 4.235 million bags of cement pa, helping to meet local demand.
Bolivian President Evo Morales has outlined aims to lower the country’s reliance on Brazilian and Peruvian cement imports through the establishment of new cement plants, whether they be state-owned, private or cooperatives.
Carib Cement has received a US$1.69 million cheque from the Jamaican government to cover the 100 000 t of clinker to be supplied to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe Agreement.