PPC Barnet DRC signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the building of a cement plant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Sinoma International Engineering Company of China. The event that took place at Fleuve Congo Hotel, Kinshasa, DRC, marks the inaugural phase of the construction, a project valued at some US$ 300 million.
The major project sponsors are PPC Ltd, Barnet Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Sinoma International Engineering Company of China is a leading cement plant construction company with extensive EPC project experience in Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Ethiopia. The company specialises in large-scale projects with general contract integration services ranging from engineering consultancy, engineering design, construction and erection, equipment manufacturing, supply, commissioning, operation and maintenance.
According to Trevor Barnard, PPC’s Business Development Executive, the construction of the cement plant will take about 26 months to complete and commissioning is expected in the last quarter of 2016. “The plant is located near Zamba in the Cataracts district, approximately 230 km from Kinshasa. The fully integrated plant will consist of a 5-stage preheater kiln with an inline calciner and will produce 1 million tons of cement per annum to serve both the rapidly growing market in the DRC and neighbouring export markets,” said Barnard.
When fully operational, the plant will create approximately 300 direct jobs and will employ modern technology in cement manufacturing and environmental protection. This investment is part of PPC’s African Expansion strategy. Currently, 26% of the company’s revenue comes from outside of South Africa with the target to increase to 40% by 2017.
More information from Nadeema Noorbhai on Tel: +27(0)11 709 6710 email nadeema.noorbhai@ogilvypr.co.za
Image Caption:
The formal signing of the contract between PPC Barnet DRC and Sinoma International Engineering Company.
