KOTA KINABALU: Michael Kinsuan, the general manager of Borneo Cement Sabah (BCS) Sdn Bhd, has announced that a RM2bil clinker and cement plant in Sabah is set to start operating by the end of this year. He mentioned that they were awaiting approval of the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) report from the Environment Department (DOE).
Kinsuan added that the first phase of the project would commence once they receive the go-ahead from the DOE, and they were also working with other relevant departments to obtain the necessary approvals for the plant. The project is a collaborative effort between local company Setia Alam Sdn Bhd and state-owned Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco), with investments from China-based Sinoma Bhd.
According to Kinsuan, the construction of a 26km sealed road from Kampung Matiku to the BCS factory site in Sabah’s interior Nabawan district would be the first order of business. He also mentioned that electricity, water supply amenities, and telecommunications towers were being developed, which would benefit the residents in the area.
Kinsuan revealed that the state government had approved the factory site, which spans 280ha in Bukit Sinobang, Kampung Kawayoi, approximately 130km from Sabah’s central Tongod town. Of the 280ha, 200ha has been dedicated to the clinker site and 80ha for the factory site, including packaging, administrative offices, and workers’ quarters.
“We estimate that we will need about 1,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers,” he said. Additionally, Kinsuan explained that most of the materials needed for clinker production, such as limestone, coal, clay, sandstone, and shale, were available in the proposed mine area, with the exception of gypsum, which would be imported from Indonesia.
Furthermore, Kinsuan emphasized that the plant would be equipped with modern and digitally operated machinery, including a 300m Stone Roller Conveyor from the mine to the cement processing plant. The company has also contributed to the local community by constructing a health clinic in Kampung Kawayoi, as well as upgrading a surau building and church in the area.
Michael Kinsuat.
