27 November 2017
Two more Algerian plants 27 November 2017
Algeria: Already an exporter of cement, Algeria is set to gain two further cement plants by 2020. The CEO of GICA Group, Rabah Guessoum, has indicated that his group has already begun construction of a 1Mt/yr plant in Béchar and a 2Mt/yr plant at Sigus, Oum El Bouaghi.
By 2020 the group will reach a cement production capacity of around 20Mt/yr. Regarding exports, Guessoum noted that with the satisfaction of domestic demand, the surplus will be exported to other African countries, in accordance with the guidelines of the public authorities. He said, "Currently we are in discussion with international operators to form possible partnerships to place our products internationally."
Cigarettes go up in smoke for Holcim Philippines 27 November 2017
Philippines: Around 4.748 million packs of cigarettes worth US$2.8m and owned by Mighty Corporation, which is being wound up amid tax evasion charges, were destroyed on Sunday at the Geocycle Compound of Holcim Philippines in Bunawan, Davao City. They were used as an alternative fuel in the plant’s kiln to produce cement.
The cigarettes with counterfeit stamps were discovered at the warehouse owned by Sunshine Cornmill Co., Distribution in General Santos City in a joint operation conducted by members of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on 6 March 2017.
"The incineration we will witness today is intended to deliver this message,” said Kelvin Lee, Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Executive Secretary. “Tax evasion does not pay. We will confiscate the offending products and destroy them. No one will profit from the commission of a crime.”
Global Cement would argue that Holcim Philippines is a beneficiary in this process, presumably having gained free alternative fuel!