CEE Jan-Mar 2012

serious respiratory problems in nearby inhabitants. A cement plant is built in an area which requires hundreds of acres of land and many a times these plants are located deep in the forest, near mining areas. This disturbs the flora and fauna and often results in displacement of local residents. The compensation paid in the form of employment or other benefits is too meager. Therefore, local inhabitants shun jobs in cement plants as they are not lucrative. It has often been noticed that the opposition is mainly due to the reckless manner in which cement companies flout environmental procedures, which hamper the progress of inhabitants. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by companies are limited to only organizing a few medical camps and distributing books and chocolates. The Location of plants in deep in jungles and penury salary hardly attract professionals to join cement companies. Courtesy: Konstruction Review, Nov. 14, 2011, P3. RAJASTHAN SEEKS INVESTMENT IN CEMENT SECTOR During the upcoming Pravasi Bharti Divas in Rajasthan, the state government expects an investment of over Rs 1 lakh core. Rajasthan's Industries Minister Rajendra Pareek said that the state is likely to get some major investments for the first time in steel , ceramics and cement sectors. "A major steel plant is expected to come up in Karauli district while Bhilwara is expected to become a major hub in the sector. Cement plants are expected in districts like Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Sikar and Chittorgarh," the minister said. He added that in order to felicitate investments in the cerami cs sector, the state government has developed a gas grid in Alwar district. "Raw material for the industry is available in the state, which is currently being sent to Gujarat. The gas grid will ensure that the industry flourishes in the state". Courtesy: Konstruction Review, Jan. 09, 2012, P12. BRAJ BINANI OPENS NEW KILN IN CHINA Shandong Binani Rongan Cement Co.Ltd will remember August 4, 2011 as a historic day when Braj Binani Group Chairman, Braj Binani, accompanied by Uu Jialou, Vice Chairman, and Director Shyam Binani, visited the project in August and lighted up the new kiln. The company leaps to the capacity of 3.0 million tonnes per annum with addition of 2.5 million tonnes per annum clinker line. The new kiln establi.jhes the Group's policy to grow worldwide and provides further opportunities in China. China contributes 60 per cent of world cement production, and Braj Binani Group entered into a joint venture agreement in July 2007 with Rongan Group to take over 70 per cent of the equity of an operating cement plant with a capacity of 1,200 tpd. The plant's name was changed to Shandong Binani Rongan Cement Co. Ltd. The operation was taken over by a team of experts deputed from the Group's Pindwara plant. Within a short time, the plant capacity was increased by process optimization and the kiln is now operating at a capacity of 1,500 tpd. This was the first step to set the Group's feet firmly in China. The company will increase the plant capacity to 3 million tonnes per annum by installing a new clinker production line. The feasibility report was submitted to the Board of Binani Cement for approval of an investment of 777 million RMB ($105 million) for installing a second production line of capacity of 2.5 million tonnes clinker per annum and cement grinding of 1.4 million tonnes per annum. The group work for government approvals, environment clearances, preparation of tenders and inviting bids, etc was completed by mid-2009. The project implementation plan was put into operation by ordering the plant and equ ipment in September 2009 from CITIC, one of the largest cement machinery manufacturers, on turnkey basis. The order for the civil construction was finalized with China Jingye Engineering Co. Ltd (CJECL). The project also included a 12 MW waste heat recovery power plant using the waste gases of the pre-heater and clinker cooler to contribute towards efforts for a green plant to reduce net energy consumption from external sources. The construction work at the plant site was started in March 2010 due to extreme cold weather and snowfall during January and February, including the annual spring festival in 2 . ' ) - ..;