R1bn cement project to create more than 2,000 jobs

Provincial government spokesperson Moses Kgwele said the Aganang Cement Project, which covers 65 hectares over a 35km distance, started three months ago outside Lichtenburg.

"It has so far employed 302 previously unemployed people, 50% of whom are from the province. We expect the project to employ more than 2,000 people before construction is completed mid next year," said Kgwele on Thursday.

The project is an investment from Sephaku Cement, an associate company of JSE-listed Sephaku Holding Limited.

"This represents the largest investment in a South African enterprise by an African company," Kgwele said, adding that the project is also expected to create 650 employment opportunities for local sub-contractors.

He said the plant has a production capacity of 6 000 tons per day, the biggest single kiln line in South Africa.

"The plant is targeting to manufacture approximately 1.2 million tons of cement per annum. Sinoma International has reportedly also spent R500 million locally towards construction of the cement market.

"The plant is targeting to supply Gauteng, Northern and North Western region of the country with cement for the next 40 years," Kgwele said.

The provincial government is also engaged in discussions with Sephaku Cement regarding the upgrading of the 24.65 kilometre D933 Gelukspan road, between the cement factory and the R503 Lichtenburg/Mahikeng road.

"This will help it to carry the expected increase in truck loading during the operational phase of the project support," said Kgwele.

Meanwhile, an agreement has been reached with all crop farmers belonging to the Kopanong Communal Property Authority affected by the mining operations on the farm Verwaal 5710 and Stiglingspan 7310 to compensate them with R1,500 per hectare per annum.

"This will be for as long as the land cannot be cultivated as a result of mining operations," Kgwele said.