Sand analysis for glass making on cards

By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE Government is currently conducting an analysis on the availability and types of sand used for glass manufacturing before calling for investment in the sector.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakwe said in an interview that officers from the relevant institution were currently analysing  samples of sand from different parts of the country.
She said that once the analyses were concluded, Government would know which areas in the country had the type of sand that could be used for manufacturing  glass.
“We are now looking at having other companies other than  Kapiri Glass Company  in Kapiri-Mposhi District of  Central Province  that could invest in  glass manufacturing in the  country.
“An analysis is being conducted on the availability and type of sand that can be used to manufacture glass,” she said.
Ms Mwanakatwe said  Government wants  to have a comprehensive study of  the available sand for glass-making in the country.
She said the analysis would help those interested in investing in the sector to know the type of machinery to bring into the country.
She said that  Kapiri Glass  which was currently  undergoing transformation is the  only  company  in the  country  that manufactured glass  using Likulu sand.
Ms Mwanakatwe said that Government  was  working  on  diversifying the economy  and that  the glass industry was one of the  sectors that  had been  identified.
She said  if exploited , the glass sector it  had  the  potential  to add  value  to the  development of  the country.