By: Natalie Greve

Sephaku Cement’s cement milling plant, in Delmas, Mpumalanga, is 95% complete and on track for production to start early in the new year.

Cold commissioning of the plant, known as Aganang, has started, with the mill motor, induced draft fan and mill separator currently being tested.

Engineering project manager Heinrich de Beer said in a statement on Tuesday that clinker offloading was “in full swing” and in the stage of final setting optimisation, with gypsum offloading commissioned and the first gypsum offloaded in mid-November.

In addition, the packing plant was nearing hot commissioning with cement, while the palletiser and stretch hood machines had been cold and hot commissioned.

“Our first stack of pallets has been wrapped and the full sequential start-up and commissioning of the packing plant is on the cards for the next week,” he commented.

De Beer added that the development of the supporting infrastructure was progressing well, with roads and intersections on target for completion before the end of the month and weighbridge systems being implemented.

In addition, Telkom was expected to finalise communication infrastructure installation in the next two weeks.

“Everyone on site is looking forward to getting moving with their work. All buildings, including the administration and sales offices are ready for occupancy,” he said.