(a) Explain any five factors that should be considered in the location of a cement factory (b) Describe any three problems facing cement factories in Tropic...

Answer Details

(a) Five factors to consider in the location of a cement factory

1. Availability of raw materials: the factory must be sited close to deposits of limestone (the main raw material) together with clay/shale and gypsum, because these are bulky and weight-losing.
2. Source of power/fuel: cement manufacture uses much energy for the kilns, so nearness to coal, gas or electricity supply is important.
3. Water supply: an adequate supply of water is needed for the manufacturing process and cooling.
4. Transport facilities: good roads and railways are needed to bring in fuel and take the heavy, finished cement to markets.
5. Nearness to market: siting near large urban and building markets reduces the cost of distributing the heavy product.
6. Availability of labour and land: a large flat site and a supply of skilled and unskilled workers are required; capital is also considered.

(b) Three problems facing cement factories in Tropical Africa

1. Inadequate and unreliable power supply: frequent electricity failures disrupt the energy-intensive kiln operations and raise costs.
2. Poor transport network: bad roads and limited railways make it costly to move fuel to the factory and cement to distant markets.
3. Shortage of capital, skilled manpower and spare parts: heavy dependence on imported machinery, foreign experts and imported fuel, together with obsolete plant and low local demand in some areas, limits production.