Mipromalo Launches Semi-industrial Production of Fired Bricks

Fred Vubem Toh

29 May 2011

As a step towards the industrial production of fired bricks in Cameroon, the Local Material Promotion Authority, Mipromalo, has set up a semi industrial unit at the Nkolbisson neighbourhood in Yaounde, capable of producing 20.000 to 25.000 bricks a day depending on the size.

The production plant based on the Hoffmann Kiln technology, produces fired bricks from plastic fusible clay and laterite earth of three sizes; 40x20x12cm, 23.5×11.5x9cm, 20x9x9cm which sell at FCFA275, 100 and 70 respectively per unit, though the bricks are destined for the construction of 10.000 social housing in Douala and Yaounde as a matter of priority.

The construction of production plant which was completed in June 2010, cost some FCFA 900 million and was done with financing from the ‘Commission technique de rehabilitation’ at the Ministry of Finance and the technical assistance of Chinese. It employs some 45 people.

The Hoffmann Kiln uses a combination of wood, saw dust, diesel and other combustibles as a source of energy. It has 12 chambers with a capacity of about 9.000 bricks each.

According to the Director of Mipromalo, Uphie Chinje Melo, the bricks are more resistant than conventional blocks from sand and cement and equally cheaper. More so, houses constructed with the bricks moderate temperature and isolates noise. It is also advantageous to build with the local material in that it looks more aesthetic even when not plastered or painted.

Mipromalo in therefore planning to extend the project by building industrial productions units in other parts of the country notably in Nomayos near Yaounde and PK 17 in Douala.

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