TANZANIA TO CONSTRUCT A NEW SODA ASH EXTRACTION PLANT AT US$ 4 BILLION

A new soda ash extraction plant will be constructed at Engaruka basin in the North of Tanzania. Construction of the new soda ash plant, which will have a targeted production of one million tons of soda ash per year, will start end of this year.

National Development’s Corporation acting managing director Mlingi Mkucha has said that the government is looking for strategic partner for the project.

Construction of the new soda ash extraction plant will help the country reap the benefits of brine deposits in Engaruka, which are estimated to be about 4.68 billion cubic meters.

“We are receiving bids at the moment and expect to procure the strategic partner by September to pave way for construction by the end of the year,” said National Development’s Corporation acting managing director Mlingi Mkucha. The deposit also has a replenishment of 1.9 million cubic meters.

The success of Engaruka basin soda ash project will also be vital for Tanzania, as it will form a basis of setting up chemical industries. The government has, hence, asked NDC (National Development’s Corporation) to fast track utilization of the project.

The Engaruka basin soda ash project will also provide Tanzania with US$ 300 million each year to boost economy. The basin is found 190km northwest of Arusha. It is so large that the country is rated as one of the sodium carbonate-rich countries in the world.

Soda ash is an important ingredient in manufacturing water treatment chemicals, and detergent production, manufacture of glass. It is also used in paper industries and petroleum refining.

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