Environment

 

Bamburi Cement Limited has a commitment to conduct its activities in a responsible manner to protect and enhance the environment. We have maintained leadership in environmental conservation through numerous advanced initiatives.

Bamburi Cement Ltd. Environmental Policy

It is the policy of Bamburi Cement Limited to:

  • ensure that facilities are operated, maintained and, wherever necessary, modified to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and with Lafarge and Blue Circle environmental standards.
  • ensure that its products and their manufacture will not be harmful to people or the environment;
  • strive to continuously improve the efficiency of its operations so as to minimize the use of resources and the generation of waste and to ensure that any waste generated is dealt with in an environmentally responsible manner;
  • set targets against which environmental performance can be measured and have these reviewed regularly;
  • integrate environmental considerations into business decision-making at all levels;
  • train its employees to achieve high standards of environmental performance. All employees will share the responsibility for implementation of this policy.

Reducing CO2 emissions

Bamburi Cement Ltd. is aware of the challenge that climate change presents for the entire planet.Most CO2 emissions in cement manufacture, come from clinker fabrication. By adding larger amounts of pozzolana into the blend during the grinding process, the amount of clinker required is reduced, thus reducing overall CO2 emissions. Pozzolana is mined from a quarry adjacent to Bamburi’s Nairobi Grinding Plant in Athi River.

 

CO2 and cement

Why does manufacturing cement produce CO2?

Cement manufacturing is the source of 5% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The cement industry is a natural producer of CO2:

  • 60% of emissions are due to the transformation of raw materials at high temperatures (decarbonation of limestone),

  • 40% result from the combustion needed to heat the cement kilns to 1500°C.

 

Reduction of fugitive dust emissions

  • Kiembeni Road, a potentially dusty area due to traffic from nearby villages, was paved by Bamburi in the last quarter of 1999.
  • Most quarry roads have now been lined with trees to contain the dust generated by material haulage. This is an ongoing project.
  • Sealing of various openings in the Pre-Blending Hall to contain fugitive dust was completed in February 2000.
  • The east and west side of the Clinker Section of the Crane hall were also sealed in March 2000.
  • improvement of the de-dusting mechanisms for material transfer points was completed in the year 2000.
  • A mobile dust sucker has been purchased, and delivery is expected in July 2000.
  • implementation of other adequate housekeeping means and procedures to control dust is continuous.