Pacific Cement Ltd (PCL) has encountered another setback in its production operations, as the cement mill has temporarily halted production due to an issue with the cement mill motor. The parent company, Fijian Holdings Ltd (FHL), announced that the cessation of cement production occurred in mid-December 2025.
FHL stated that remediation efforts on the motor issue have been completed, and they are currently engaged in full commissioning processes this week in preparation for the restart of production. The company estimates that normal operations could resume within approximately one week, with supplies expected to return to normal by then. However, during this downtime, the availability of 40kg General Blend and General Portland (GP) cement supplies will be limited until production resumes.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by PCL, as mill breakdowns have become a recurrent issue linked to its aging infrastructure and machinery. At FHL’s annual general meeting in 2024, management revealed plans to eventually replace the current facility with a new plant within the next two to three years, although these plans have yet to come to fruition.
During the AGM, FHL CEO Jaoji Koroi addressed shareholders in iTaukei, acknowledging that the mill, which has been operational since 1962, has experienced frequent machine failures in recent times, significantly impacting both production capabilities and profitability.
As the company navigates these operational hurdles, there remains hope for a revitalized future, contingent upon the successful implementation of modernization plans and equipment upgrades to ensure a more stable production environment.