Displaying items by tag: GCW341
Al Jouf Cement renews export licence to 2019
16 February 2018Saudi Arabia: Al Jouf Cement has renewed its export licence for one year. The Saudi cement producer received the licence on 15 February 2018, according to Mubasher. The licence will end in February 2019 and any financial impact will be announced subsequently.
Hail Cement renews power plant operation deal with Wärtsilä
16 February 2018Saudi Arabia: Hail Cement has renewed its three-year asset management agreement with Finland’s Wärtsilä for the power plant at its Turbah plant. Wärtsilä provides guarantees for the performance of the power plant and ensures the reliability and availability of its operations. The operations of the power plant are remotely monitored from a Wärtsilä Expertise Centre for real-time data gathering and analysis. The agreement, signed in November 2017, is already the second renewal of Wärtsilä’s service agreement for the power plant in Turbah, the first agreement being signed in 2012.
“Wärtsilä has been responsible for the full operation and maintenance of our power plant in Turbah for about six years now. We have been satisfied with its flexibility, quality of service and emphasis on safety, and are happy to continue our co-operation with them,” said Matar Al Zahrani, chief executive officer (CEO) of Hail Cement.
The agreement covers the operation and maintenance of Hail Cement Factory’s power plant, including the day-to-day operation of the power plant, preventive and predictive maintenance as well as plant operations manpower, health and safety management. The 53MW base load power plant is equipped with seven Wärtsilä 32 engines and provides energy for Hail Cement Company’s cement factory as well as for the nearby residential area.
Cheetah Cement imports clinker from China
16 February 2018Namibia: Cheetah Cement has imported 40,000t of clinker from China via the Port of Walvis Bay. The clinker will be transported by truck to the cement producer’s plant in Otjiwarongo, according to the Namibian Sun newspaper. The company is a joint venture between China’s Asia-Africa Business Management and Whale Rock Cement. Its plant was reported ‘complete’ in late 2017 but construction work continued into January 2018.
HeidelbergCement sells Lehigh White Cement stake
15 February 2018US: HeidelbergCement has announced that its subsidiary Lehigh Cement Company has signed an agreement to sell its 51% position in Lehigh White Cement Company to the minority shareholders Aalborg Cement Company and Cemex. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected during the first quarter 2018. Authorisation by the Antitrust Authority has already been obtained.
Lehigh White Cement Company operates two plants in Waco, Texas and York, Pennsylvania with a combined production capacity of approximately 0.26Mt/yr.
“As a niche product with small volumes, the standalone production of white cement does not fit to the strategic focus on efficiency of HeidelbergCement,” said Bernd Scheifele, Chairman of the Managing Board of HeidelbergCement. “The disposal is part of our global portfolio review and optimisation with the goal to generate additional cash flow in order to support our disciplined growth and increase shareholder returns.”
Cemex, via its US subsidiary, will increase its stake from 24.5% to 36.75% when the deal is completed. It will pay US$34.0m. Cementir, via Aalborg Cement, will pay US$107.m for the purchase of a further 38.75% stake. This will take its total share to 63.25% once the deal goes through.
"This acquisition gives us the opportunity to enter the direct management of assets in the US in a segment, that of white cement, which is our core business, strengthening our global leadership consistent with our development strategy," commented Francesco Caltagirone Jr, President and chief executive officer of Cementir Holding.
Shree Cement commissions Bangur grinding plant
15 February 2018India: Shree Cement has commissioned its new cement grinding unit at Bangur, Rohi Udaipur Udasar in Rajasthan. The plant has a grinding capacity of 3.60Mt/yr.
Lafarge Zimbabwe to expand quarry
15 February 2018Zimbabwe: Lafarge Zimbabwe is looking to expand its operations as it is set to commence exploratative drilling for lime within the next two months. It already has two mining operations where limestone is extracted at Mbubu in Mashonaland East Province and Sternblick quarry in Harare.
The company told local press that exploratative drilling was anticipated to commence in April 2018. This comes as its environmental impact assessment for limestone exploration drilling in Pfura Rural District was approved. The company has contracted Bumira Environmental Consultants to perform the environmental assessment.