Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides)- Kenya has good hopes of becoming a coal producer after prospecting in two districts of East Province obtained encouraging results.
At present Kenya imports coal from South Africa and the discovery of local seams would have a positive impact on the local economy not only in the energy sector but also and particularly for the production of cement. The coal seams are in fact near deposits of limestone, the basic material for clinker, which in turn is the basis for cement. To obtain clinker great quantities of fuel are required. Therefore it would be possible to start a local cement industry using local materials.
Two local cement industries are constructing plants in the Mui basin where there are consistent deposits of limestone.
Local experts say this will reduce the price of local cement by one third, and meet demands locally and in southern Sudan, where now, since the civil war ended, there is a building boom. According to representatives of local industries, high costs of imported coal represent more than half the price of the cement produced in Kenya.
Growing demand for cement has led to more profit for local cement industries. In the area there are also deposits of chalk and pozzolana, two important additives used for making cement.
The government of Kenya intends to call an international competitive tender for the exploitation of the coal seams, which range from 11 to 136 metres in profundity. Samples of the mineral have already been analysed by Kenyan and South African experts who confirmed the good quality of the deposit.
Coal, besides serving for the production of cement, can also be used as a source of energy, on the condition that new technology for reducing pollution are used. In this way Kenya will alleviate its trade balance and use the hard currency which at present serves for the purchase of coal and oil from aboard, for other purposes. Locale experts hope in this way to launch by 2020 the full industrialisation of Kenya. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/9/2007 righe 28 parole 342)
