Egypt: ASEC Minya, formally Arab National Cement Company, has begun cement production at its 2Mt/yr cement plant in Minya, Egypt. The ASEC Cement subsidiary has been producing clinker at the site since May 2013.
"We are extremely proud to have been able to see this project through to completion despite the challenging operational environment," said ASEC Cement CEO Giorgio Bodo. "The launch of cement production, which marks the official completion of this project, is a clear reflection of our confidence in the Egyptian economy and our belief in the country's ability to recover from the current volatility."
Bodo cited security issues, fuel scarcity and general 'instability' as causing major setbacks that the cement producer had to overcome. Construction of the plant originally began in December 2010 but work was interrupted by the Egyptian Revolution in January 2011.
ASEC Minya will be connected to the Egyptian national electric grid via a 42km transmission line to be completed by the end of 2014. Until then the plant will use rented generators. The new cement plant has created 400 direct and 800 indirect jobs.
