08 December 2017
Eric Olsen placed under formal investigation in Lafarge Syria probe 08 December 2017
France: Eric Olsen, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of LafargeHolcim, has been placed under formal investigation as part of an inquiry into the company’s conduct in Syria, according to a source quoted by Reuters. He has also been placed under judicial supervision. Olsen had previously been questioned along with Bruno Lafont, the former CEO of Lafarge, and Christian Herraul, the former deputy managing director for operations.
Olsen was the head of human relations during the period the probe is covering. LafargeHolcim’s predecessor company Lafarge Syria allegedly paid terrorist groups in Syria to allow a cement plant to continue operating during the Syrian civil war. Olsen later became the CEO of LafargeHolcim when Lafarge merged with Holcim in 2015. However, he resigned in April 2017 following an internal review of the situation. At this time he said that his decision was motivated by his desire to draw a line under the affair. He added that he was ‘absolutely’ not involved in the case and had been unaware of any wrongdoing.
Huaxin Cement preparing to build cement plant in Nepal 08 December 2017
Nepal: Huaxin Cement is in discussions with the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) to build a cement plant. The Chinese cement producer is considering investing US$140m towards a project investment agreement (PIA), according to the Kathmandu Post newspaper. Obtaining a PIA will allow the company to work with the Nepalese government on the project.
The announcement follows a US$359m PIA with Hongshi-Shivam Cement that was signed in September 2017 for a cement plant at Sardi in Nawalparasi. The 6000t/day plant is scheduled to start commercial production in May 2018.