CEMEX announced today (August 24), the plan to expand the production capacity at its subsidiary in Jamaica, Caribbean Cement Company Limited (“CCCL”).
This expansion aims for an up to 30% increase in CCCL’s cement capacity in Jamaica, through an investment of approximately US$40 million for the first phase of the project.
The announcement was made by CEMEX’s CEO, Fernando A. Gonzalez, during his visit to Jamaica, jointly with the Prime Minister of Jamaica Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, relevant officials of the Jamaica Government, and key representatives from the company.
“We are in the final stages of the engineering phase and in obtaining permits from the local authorities,” said Fernando A. Gonzalez. “Very soon we will begin to procure the equipment needed for this initial phase of the project, designed to not only expand our capacity, but also allow us to optimize our heat consumption in the manufacturing process, and therefore, reduce the carbon footprint of our cement facility in Jamaica.”
This expansion plan should be completed by the second half of 2024, and it is expected to strengthen the self-sufficiency of the national cement industry, while setting the basis to export and reinforce CCCL’s ability to serve the growing construction sector in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
During the same event, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Hon, Olivia Grange; the Mexican Ambassador, His Excellency Juan José Gonzalez Mijares; and CEMEX’s CEO also unveiled a mural that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the independence of Jamaica.
Titled “Reignited for Unity”, the mural measures 49 ft tall by 167 ft wide and commemorate the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. It depicts a jaguar man presenting his heart to a beautiful singing Jamaican female. The jaguar man is a representation of Mexican aesthetic culture, while the singing woman represents the beauty and spirit of Jamaica’s people and music.
The mural is part of an initiative developed by Minister Grange named “Jamaica Creative: Paint Up Yuh Creative Space”, where the Ministry aims to use art as a focal point to attract visitors to communities within the city, create satellite enterprises for community tourism projects, and beautify and rejuvenate the capital city. The mural was painted by Mexican artists Irving Cano and Freddie Herrera and Jamaican artists Anthony Smith, Yanque Yip, and Jordan Harrison.
“This project has certainly gifted to Jamaica, Mexico, and the region an amazing example of the genius of our creatives and demonstrates just how powerful the cultural expressions of our two nations have been,” said Minister Grange at the unveiling.
With these projects and initiatives, CEMEX confirms its commitment to continue contributing to build a greater Jamaica, betting on the growth opportunities of the construction sector in the country by developing relevant projects such as this expansion plan.
from left: CEMEX CEO, Fernando Gonzalez; is joined by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill and Chairman of Caribbean Cement Company Limited, Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, at a ceremony to break ground for the expansion of Carib Cement’s kiln-5 project at the cement company’s packing plant in Rockfort, Kingston on August 24. The occasion also saw the unveiling of the Jamaica/Friendship Mural, Reignited for Unity.
CEMEX CEO, Fernando Gonzalez (left) is joined by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), at a ceremony to break ground for the expansion of Carib Cement’s kiln-5 project at the cement company’s packing plant in Rockfort, Kingston on August 24. The occasion also saw the unveiling of the Jamaica/Friendship Mural, Reignited for Unity.
CEMEX CEO Fernando Gonzalez (second right), is joined by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left) to unveil the Jamaica/Friendship mural, Reignited for Unity at the cement company’s packing plant in Rockfort, Kingston on August 24. The occasion also saw ground broken for the expansion of Carib Cement’s kiln-5 project. Others from left participating are Ambassador from Mexico to Jamaica, His Excellency Juan Jose Gonzalez Mijares, Wife of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.
