Private school opposes cement plant construction
STAFF WRITER
Bryden Country School in Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province, is opposing the construction of a new cement manufacturing plant with a projected capacity of 800,000 tons per annum.
The project, spearheaded by Shuntai Investments Private Limited, is expected to create 800 direct jobs once fully operational.
The investment comes at a time when Zimbabwe is experiencing a cement shortage, forcing the country to rely on imports—some of which are smuggled—while local manufacturers struggle to meet rising demand.
Shuntai has broader ambitions beyond Chegutu.
The company also plans to establish a large-scale cement and lime factory in Bindura, featuring a 1.2 million tonnes cement production line and a 600,000-ton lime production line.
Additionally, it intends to set up a grinding station in Bulawayo with a 400,000-ton annual capacity.
Once all projects are operational, Shuntai aims to produce a combined total of 3 million tons of cement and lime annually, supporting both the construction and metallurgical industries while generating thousands of jobs.
However, Bryden Country School has raised concerns, alleging that it was excluded from key consultative processes, including the ongoing environmental impact assessment. School authorities claim they only received documentation last year and were not adequately engaged. In response, the school has taken to social media, rallying parents and the local community to oppose the project.
The school’s main concerns include potential dust and air pollution, noise pollution, water contamination, and increased traffic due to the site’s proximity to the campus.
Shuntai’s General Manager, Bin Zhou, has sought to allay these fears, assuring the public that the plant will incorporate advanced technology designed to minimize environmental impact.
“This technology is highly advanced and captures air with an efficiency of 95%. It also employs equipment that operates nearly silently, minimising noise within the facility.
Furthermore, the plant design incorporates a closed-loop recycling system for underground water water, which will be reused with minimal waste directed to our garden irrigation,” he stated.
He emphasized the company’s willingness to engage with stakeholders, including Bryden, to address concerns.
“We are flexible and open to improvements, subject to the authorities’ approvals. We even met with the Bryden board on Monday, where we discussed constructing a road away from the school and keeping them informed at every stage of the project,” he explained.
Shuntai held a meeting at Bryden on Monday, chaired by the school’s board chairman, Ahmed Noor, before touring the school.
Zhou revealed that the company began on-site operations in late January and is currently constructing staff accommodations. In this initial phase, 250 workers—primarily locals—have been employed.
He also noted that the company has already built modern housing for 14 families who were relocated and compensated.
“The community is our priority, and we ensure that locals receive first consideration for all unskilled labor positions, as well as skilled roles where applicable. We are also committed to prioritizing women across all departments,” he added.
Once all necessary approvals are secured, construction of the cement plant is expected to take 10 months before production begins.
