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ADDIS ABABA– The first coal washing plant, which is said to substitute import and minimize the technical problem of cement factories, has gone operational in Benshangul gumz, Ethiopia.
The factory, which is owned by Yo Holding Trade and Manufacturing Plc, is also expected to play a significant role in generating foreign currency, realizing industrialization, as well as supporting government policy and strategy in the sector.
During the press briefing held yesterday here, Ataklti Tesfaye, Deputy Director-General of Yo Holding Trade and Manufacturing Plc, mentioned that apart from increasing productivity and becoming source of energy, the factory would allow technology transfer and expansion of urbanization.
He said nation’s annual demand for washed coal production is 2.21 million tons, of which 0.8 to 1 million tons has been imported from different countries with the cost of 227 million USD per annum, as to the study conducted by Ethiopian Mines and Energy and the Ethiopian Petroleum Institute.
Nonetheless, when the company starts operating in full swing, it would play a vital role in supplying the demand gap as well as generating foreign currency through exporting.
The production capacity of the plant, which is said to be built with half a billion capital, is 300 tons per hour or 2.16 million tons per year of washed coal, which is 95percent of the nation’s demand, he said.
Currently, the factory has created permanent jobs for hundreds of citizens. When fully operational, it will create employment opportunity for thousands of skilled and unskilled laborers.
According to him, cement, ceramic, steel, textile, glass and paper factories are said to be the major targeted markets of the plant.
By the same token, Tewedros Fikre, Director of Supply Chain within the company stated that the factory would put Ethiopia amongst the top coal producingc ountries in Africa led by South Africa.
Apart from putting a positive impact on the price of the products that are produced using factory’s input, it would also create direct employment opportunities for hundreds of Ethiopians and will provide indirect economic and social benefits to many citizens residing in the area, he stressed.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2023
First-ever coal washing plant goes operational in Benshangul