Sustainability

Environmental

Environmental Achievements in 2010

Energy management - PPC's integrated group energy strategy focuses on:

• Improving operational efficiency along a five-year energy-improvement plan for each operation
• Developing alternative thermal and electrical energy sources.

PPC has appointed a full-time energy manager at group level and assigned resources at its operations specifically focused on energy management.

• Carbon footprint - PPC has calculated the total carbon footprint (scope 1, 2 and 3) for its operations in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana based on 2009 data.
• External assurance on key environmental performance indicators - Deloitte & Touche was appointed to externally assure (see assurance report) the following key performance indicators:
  • Direct energy consumption; indirect energy consumption
  • Total direct and indirect greenhouse emissions by weight
  • Environmental fines received by the company.

Technology upgrades resulting in environmental improvements

• Slurry kiln 7: partial kiln shell replacement and kiln electrostatic precipitator (ESP) upgrade. The ESP upgrade entailed increasing collecting capacity to ensure dust emission levels below 50mg/Nm3. The new equipment has been commissioned and outstanding optimisation issues are being addressed
• De Hoek finishing mill 5: abatement technology upgrade to replace the existing ESP with a new bag filter. The bag filter continues to perform better than PPC specification levels and manufacturer guarantees and fully complies with minimum emission standards published by the Department of Environmental Affairs
• Port Elizabeth raw mills bag filter: the plant has been commissioned and performance testing undertaken in April 2010. The filter continues to perform better than guarantees.

Case study - Emission monitoring: what is measured is managed PPC Jupiter uses bag-filter technology abatement equipment at the mills; however dust monitoring equipment was not installed at plant commissioning. Against this backdrop, PPC Jupiter installed continuous dust monitors at the finishing mills to monitor and quantify dust emission levels through the stacks. This is an important control measure to assist Jupiter in managing its atmospheric impacts. The efficiency of bag-filter technology will be assessed continuously and the milling process optimised to ensure acceptable dust emission levels. The quantified dust emissions will be reported monthly to the City of Johannesburg's air quality control officer. In addition to legal compliance requirements, another fundamental reason for dust emission monitoring is to ensure that our stakeholders (internal and external) enjoy their right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing as stipulated in section 24 of the South African Constitution. The project capital cost was around R750 000 and annual calibration of the monitors to ensure accuracy and data integrity is estimated at R20 000. This is only one of the projects PPC Jupiter has undertaken to demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable development.

Interactions with communities

• Site visit by learners - Dwaalboom Primary School visited PPC Dwaalboom in Limpopo in February 2010. The visit concentrated on waste and water recycling and pollution-prevention activities at the cement plant. The learners were also encouraged to start their own recycling projects.
• International visit to Riebeeck - In April 2010, PPC Riebeeck hosted a site visit by prominent local and international participants in the cement-manufacturing industry. This incorporated an introduction to the PPC Riebeeck operation and its varied projects; a visit to Smuts Cottage, a national monument on the property restored and maintained by PPC since 1986; and a tour of the mine, highlighting rehabilitation work and protection measures instituted for a sensitive environmental area, the renosterveld hill.
• PPC Zimbabwe to chair water cluster meeting - PPC Zimbabwe is working closely with environmental authorities in Bulawayo to develop a tool for integrated water resources management. The water technical committee of the Business Council for Sustainable Development - Zimbabwe identified five water clusters in Bulawayo to promote efficient management and conservation of water resources. PPC Zimbabwe's Bulawayo factory has been appointed by the council to chair the eastern cluster, with the first workshop hosted in September 2010.
• University of Cape Town (UCT) student work exposure - In July 2010 De Hoek was visited by second-year UCT chemical engineering students and their professor, who spent a week gaining practical experience in a manufacturing environment. The students were joined by an engineer from group process services and completed three projects during the week as practical examples of applying chemical engineering skills to regularly obtain answers required for operational purposes.

The student visit has become an annual event, with 2010 marking the fourth year of our involvement in providing workplace exposure for chemical engineering students.