Tanzania: The State Mining Corporation (Stamico) has assured cement producers that it holds sufficient coal supplies. It said that 18,600t/month of coal is being produced every month at its mine at Kabuko in Songwe, according to the Citizen newspaper. It intends to increase production to 45,000t/month when demand is ‘high’ and then to later raise production to 60,000t/month when it fixes infrastructure bottlenecks.

In August 2018 cement producers reported that they faced coal shortages. Subsequently, cement prices rose.

Cyprus: Vassiliko Cement has presented a new low hydration heat cement product, Portland Pozzolana Cement CEM II/A-P 42,5N-LH, to local clients. The new product will be launched in early October 2018. It will be targeted at larger construction projects, such as footing or dams, where the company says it will prevent the formation of micro-cracks in concrete.

Kyrgyzstan: Member of parliament Karamat Orozova has proposed setting up a commission to examine building a new cement plant in the Batken region. She has proposed allocating land and loans for local businesses to build a new unit, according to the Central Asia News Service. The politician has criticised the decision to place the South-Kyrgyz Cement (SKC) plant in the Osh region of the country given the neighbouring problems in Batken. The 1Mt/yr SKC plant was built in 2010 with Italcementi.

Spain: FYM-HeidelbergCement has reached a record two years without an accident at its Malaga cement plant. The milestone also includes no accidents for subcontractors working at the site. The company has operated a ‘Zero Accident’ program since 2000 that has focused on improving the safety culture for all staff.