Hetauda: Shivam Cement Industry, one of the biggest cement factories of the country, is all set to produce clinker, a raw material used for cement production.

The factory has been has been producing cement for the last six months by importing clinkers from India. “The manufacturing plant of clinker will come into operation from Monday,” said Shiromadi Dhakal chief of the factory.

The plant, which has a capacity of producing 1,200 tonnes of clinker per day, requires 200 tonnes of coal each day. The company imports coal from India and gypsum—a raw material which is mixed with clinker—from Bhutan.

The factory has brought ‘quality’ lime-stones from the mines of Sukaura and Budhichaur VDCs, some 20 km far from the factory. The factory has now a stock of over 150,000 tonnes of limestone. With the factory out of reach of 66KV electric transmission line—which is required for sunning such a factory—it is set to produce clinker using generators. Only 11KV transmission line has reached to the factory. The Nepal Electricity Authority is installing 66KV transmission line to connect the factory and the government has also disbursed Rs 60 million for the purpose. The factory is a big energy consumer needing 10MW of electricity.

Business groups including HR Goyal, Sarda, Lucky and Maru groups have invested in the Rs 4 billion industry. The factory installed in 52 bighas of land has a capacity to produce 1,200 tonnes of cement daily. It has employed 300 individuals directly.

Nepal imported cement worth Rs 4.04 billion last year, a decline of 8.3 percent compared to previous year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank statistics.

source: The Kathmandu Post, 12 September 2011