Sino Great Chemicals’ MAP Fertiliser Plant in Chilanga Reaches 30% Completion as ZCCM-IH Reviews Progress
Sino Great Chemicals’ $361 Million MAP Fertiliser Plant Reaches 30% Construction Milestone, Trial Production Set for August 2027
Construction of Sino Great Chemical Company Limited’s integrated Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) fertiliser plant in Chilanga, Lusaka West, has reached approximately 30% completion, with trial production expected to commence in August 2027.
The progress was confirmed during a site visit by ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH) Board Chairperson Mr Phesto Musonda and Chief Executive Officer Mr Kakenenwa Muyangwa, who toured the project site to assess the development of the multi-million-dollar fertiliser manufacturing facility.
Sino Great Chemical Company Limited is developing the integrated phosphate fertiliser project, which comprises the Chilanga production facility and a phosphate rock mine in the Sinda/Petauke region of Eastern Zambia.
The project is designed to establish a local source of phosphate-based fertilisers while supporting Zambia’s industrialisation and mineral beneficiation agenda.
ZCCM-IH has invested US$50 million into the project, consisting of US$37.8 million for a 30% equity stake in Sino Great Chemical Company Limited and US$12.2 million provided as debt financing to support project development.
The loan carries a fixed annual interest rate of 11% over a five-year period, with a one-year moratorium on principal and interest repayments.
The total value of the project is estimated at approximately US$361 million and is being financed through a combination of equity and debt funding.
Speaking during the site visit, ZCCM-IH Board Chairperson Mr Phesto Musonda said the progress made at the Chilanga plant highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in unlocking investment opportunities and creating value for Zambia.
“Thirty percent completion at Chilanga, with trial production targeted for August 2027, is a clear demonstration of ZCCM-IH’s strategy of fostering trade and investment through active partnerships that unlock value for Zambia,” Mr Musonda said.
Civil construction works at the site have recorded significant milestones, with several key structures already completed.
These include the air compressor station, phosphogypsum water washing facility, vacuum pump circulating water station, product tank farm, reaction tank foundations, perimeter wall, amination reaction foundation, and sulfur melting and filtration foundation.
Procurement of major production equipment is also progressing, with approximately 20% of the required equipment already secured and deliveries continuing as construction advances.
Once completed, the Chilanga facility will consist of four major production units, including a sulfuric acid unit with a production capacity of 400,000 tonnes per annum, a phosphoric acid unit with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes per annum, a powder MAP unit capable of producing 300,000 tonnes annually, and a phospho-gypsum washing unit with a capacity of 750,000 tonnes per annum.
ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Mr Kakenenwa Muyangwa described the project as a transformational investment that will position Zambia as a regional producer of phosphate-based fertiliser products.
“A project of this scale, the first in Southern Africa, with the capacity to produce close to 300,000 tonnes of mono ammonium phosphate per year, is transformational. We are encouraged by the pace of construction and procurement and the envisaged local beneficiation once the plant is fully optimised by December 2027,” Mr Muyangwa said.
He added that the project is expected to generate long-term returns for ZCCM-IH and its shareholders through dividends and returns from the company’s financing contribution.
Meanwhile, development works are continuing at the Sinda phosphate rock mine, which will supply raw materials for the Chilanga MAP plant.
The mine has an estimated lifespan of 15 years, with potential for expansion through further exploration.
Zambia currently imports close to two million metric tonnes of phosphate products annually. Once operational, the Sinda mine is expected to produce approximately 300,000 tonnes of phosphate rock per year, helping reduce dependence on imports while supporting export earnings.
The combined MAP fertiliser plant and phosphate mining project is expected to create approximately 1,600 direct jobs and 10,500 indirect employment opportunities.
Sino Great Chemicals Chief Executive Officer Mr Shashank Mehta said the company remains committed to completing the project on schedule and expressed confidence in the partnership with ZCCM-IH.
“The MAP and phosphate mine project is expected to create significant employment opportunities while strengthening Zambia’s industrial capacity. We are very happy to have ZCCM-IH onboard as a partner, as they have brought significant value to the project,” Mr Mehta said.
The Sino Great Chemicals MAP project is expected to transform Zambia’s fertiliser manufacturing landscape by promoting local mineral beneficiation, improving access to phosphate-based fertilisers, and reducing reliance on imported agricultural inputs.
Upon completion, the facility will contribute to Zambia’s agricultural productivity, strengthen industrial capacity, and support the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for fertiliser production and mineral-based manufacturing.
