CHILANGA, Zambia, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday in Zambia's Chilanga district, Lusaka Province, to mark the construction of a plant that will transform the country's phosphate resources into high-value industrial and agricultural products.

The integrated phosphate product plant is a joint venture between China's Sino Great Group, through its subsidiary Sino Great Chemical Company Limited, and Zambia's Wonderful Group of Companies Limited. The plant will be located within a 1,000-hectare industrial park established by the Wonderful Group.

The first phase of the project, with an investment of 340 million U.S. dollars, is expected to produce 250,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid, 750,000 tonnes of gypsum, and 300,000 tonnes of ammonium phosphate annually once completed.

Jin Jun, counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said the plant is a significant achievement in cooperation between China and Zambia. He emphasized that the project aligns with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's call for value addition, job creation and the introduction of advanced technologies.

This plant represents a solid step toward Zambia's industrialization and modernization, Jin said.

Agriculture is a pilar of Zambia's economy, yet the country relies heavily on imported agricultural inputs like fertilizers, and the completion of this plant will change that by using local materials to produce fertilizers, Jin said.

Shashank Mehta, speaking on behalf of Zhang Quan, chairperson of Sino Great Chemicals Company Limited, reaffirmed the company's commitment to establishing a sustainable and efficient phosphate chemicals supply chain in Zambia.

This project is a bold step toward unlocking the vast potential of Zambia's natural resources through value addition, Mehta said, adding that the first phase is scheduled for completion by June next year.

During the construction period, the project will employ 2,000 workers, with 1,600 direct jobs and 10,500 indirect jobs expected once the plant becomes fully operational. The company also plans to develop a phosphate rock mine in eastern Zambia and build a 40-megawatt power plant to ensure a sustainable electricity supply.

Mehta said that the company will launch the second phase of the project after completing the first phase in June next year, aiming to expand the plant's production capacity.

Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga commended the investors for choosing Zambia and noted the significance of the project.

The construction of this plant will significantly lower the cost of fertilizer in Zambia, Mulenga said, noting that Zambia is now an exporter of D compound fertilizer in the region, thanks to these investments. Enditem

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