Algeria to be self-sufficient in cement

Algerian cement firm Gica has reportedly signed two agreements with Chinese company Cmbi, a subsidiary of the Sinoma group.

The agreements will see the building of a new DZD 34 billion (US$308.04 million) 1 million tonnes/year cement plant in Bechar. Operational in 2018, the plant will be held by Société Saoura Ciment (SSC), a Gica subsidiary. A new DZD 38 billion (US$342.76 million) production line is also to be created on the Zahana cement plant, held by Société des ciments de Zahana (Sciz). Due to be

Work should begin on a cement plant in Ben-Zireg, some 40km from Bechar in Algeria, in 2016.

A national and international invitation to tender has been issued, following the termination of the previous contract with a Chinese company.

The cement plant will be built on behalf of Société Saoura Ciment (SSC), a subsidiary of Groupe public industriel des ciments d'Algérie (GICA).

The cement plant should be operational in 2019 and will see the creation of 500-600 jobs directly and as many indirectly.

Lafarge Algérie is planning to invest nearly US$450 million in Algeria over the next two years, according to its PR Manager Serge Dubois. The group will notably seek to develop its activity as a provider of solutions, such as its involvement in the project to construct a 280mminaret for the Algiers mosque. White concrete is a key part of the firm's $447.78 million development plan, with the firm said to be capitalising on its lower production cost, improved performance and longer lifespan. The company curre

ASEC Cement is seeking to divest its 35% stake in the Zahana cement works. Citadel Capital, the company that manages the Egyptian cement company's portfolio, is seeking to help ASEC Cement focus on its strategic activities and is in preliminary discussions with its Algerian partner GICA (Groupe industriel des ciment d'Algérie). The latter feels that ASEC did not meet its commitments made in 2008. The partnership was to help the site increase from 800,000 tonnes/year to 2 million tonnes/year, but that as of

French building materials group Lafarge is reported to have secured permission to build a cement works in Biskra, Algeria, in conjunction with an unnamed Algerian partner. Construction work on the plant is expected to begin in spring 2013. Meanwhile, enhancements to the Lafarge cement works in Oggaz, Algeria are expected to be completed this summer. In 2012, the site’s white cement production was up by some 25%. It is said to have the only white cement production line in Algeria.