Otavi Cement's big plans

The Otavi Cement Group (OCG) is exploring the possibility of building Namibia’s third cement plant. This decision was announced during a meeting on 25 May.It is believed that after receiving financial advice, it was deemed cheaper to build a new plant rather than purchase an existing one. Co-founder and shareholder André Neethling stated that OCG is considering a plant that can produce up to one million tonnes of cement per year. According to him, the construction of such a plant will cost around US$50 million.The company has acquired the mineral rights to the area of the existing Ohorongo cement plant, which is believed to be a world-class resource for cement manufacturing. According to Neethling, there is enough material in the area to produce cement for a thousand years. "We have the resource, we have the market, and we have access to the land," he said.Furthermore, the environmental clearance studies have been completed, and the study for the plant itself has now begun.Although he acknowledged that Namibia&#039;s development will increase the demand for cement, OCG is targeting the foreign market. "I know they need cement in West Africa, Zambia, Angola and South Africa. The market is not only in Namibia," Neethling said.Triangle developmentThe cement plant is just one part of grand plans to develop the triangle between Otavi, Tsumeb and Grootfontein. A dry port network is planned to support the flow of goods to and from the port in Walvis Bay. To establish this network, OCG owns a 10% stake in the Triangle Development Corporation, with the municipal councils of Otavi, Tsumeb and Grootfontein, each owning 30%.According to Neethling, the sale of Dundee&#039;s smelter in Tsumeb and a steel mill planned for Otavi will further support the development of the industrial triangle.List of plans Other development initiatives being planned include more infrastructure, tourism development and citrus plantations. The plan to establish an eco-village in Tsumeb is also progressing well. According to Neethling, the design is ready, the land has been acquired, and the area has been proclaimed.Neethling said the developers are already in discussions with TransNamib and Namport, as well as the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), which he said is very involved and fully supports the initiative."Cement and steel are the building blocks for establishing infrastructure for the future. The Otavi Cement Group will continue to engage with other stakeholders in the cement industry to build alliances, and ultimately create value for Namibians, and serve the countries and the African hinterland," the company stated.– augetto@republikein.com.na

Otavi Cement's big plans

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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Otavi Cement's big plans

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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