Cement production has started at Sephaku Cement’s (SepCem’s) 1.4-million-ton-a-year Delmas milling plant, which would ramp up to full output by mid-2014.

The cement producer has dispatched the first bags of cement from the plant – one of two significant projects being implemented by SepCem – to customers across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“Building cement operations from the ground up has given us the opportunity to ensure that we use the most high-tech cement manufacturing equipment. We can dictate product quality rather than be dictated to by the existing operational constraints that other producers face,” commented SepCem CEO Pieter Fourie.

Sephaku Holdings CEO Dr Lelau Mohuba added that the company was pleased to finally have its cement brand in the market.

“We are proud of SepCem’s highly experienced operational team for attaining this key milestone in being the latest entrant into the South African cement industry since 1934.

“This is a demonstration of not only the extensive skills and experience of our management to bring the projects to account, but the determination in establishing SepCem as a key player in the industry,” he said.

Mohuba indicated that the commissioning phase of SepCem’s other major project, Aganang – an integrated plant located in Lichtenburg, North West – was under way, with production to start by the second quarter of this year.

Sephaku Holdings owns a 36% stake in SepCem, with Dangote Cement owning the balance.