The rising demand for building material in South Africa have resulted in Egyptian company, Orascom Construction Industries deciding to invest R3.1-billion in a new cement plant to be built in North West province.

With massive government spend currently taking place on railways, power plants and stadia in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, local demand has meant that producers here have had to import cement for the first time in more than two decades.

The new cement plant, with an estimated capacity of two million tons is to start producing cement in 2010. Demand for cement is expected to continue rising by 5-10%.