Tanzania could be poised to become the largest soda ash producer in Africa following the latest discovery of the compound in Engaruka Basin in Arusha Region. It has the annual capacity of one million cubic metres that will generate about 480bn/-revenues. The project will, together with the Lake Natron Soda Ash supply, bring the total production capacity to around 1.5 million cubic metres, which is far above Kenya's current output. National Development Corporation (NDC) Corporate Affairs Manager Abel Ngapemba told a press conference in Dar es Salaam that the exploration discovered total deposits of about 4.7 cubic metres of brine. "The discovery and exploitation of soda ash at Engaruka Basin is envisaged to stimulate the construction of industries, employment, infrastructure development and improved living standards of the people surrounding teh project area," he said. Soda ash, known chemically as sodium carbonate, is an essential constituent in the manufacture of glass and production of detergents and industrial chemicals. The soda ash discovered at Engaruka is: "Of the best quality in the world," according to NDC.
