
Displaying items by tag: North Korea
Explosion reported at cement plant in North Korea
03 December 2024North Korea: South Korea-based news outlet Daily NK has reported that an explosion took place in the kiln at North Korea’s Mt Purae cement plant in the early hours of 14 November 2024. It reports that the plant was ‘straining’ to meet ‘aggressive production targets’ after being pushed above its rated capacity.
Speaking anonymously, a source with knowledge of the event said “The explosion was caused by overloading the kiln, as factory management sought to raise production targets under pressure from the provincial party committee, which was responding to the central government’s appeal to demonstrate a spirit of self-sufficiency.”
Plant technicians who analysed the explosion said that management had been too focused on boosting productivity and output cement to properly maintain the kiln. Its managers acknowledged that the accident would not have occurred if they had stuck to the plant’s design capacity.
The factory has since announced that it will adjust its production schedule and resume normal operations after swiftly repairing the damage. No workers were injured.
Sunchon Cement upgrades its cement plant
10 June 2024North Korea: State-owned Sunchon Cement has completed an upgrade to its cement plant in Sunch'ŏn-shi, P’yŏngan-namdo Province, Korea News has reported. The upgrade included the installation of real-time monitoring equipment in the plant’s raw materials conveying system. The company says that this will help to increase the plant’s efficiency. It also fitted new crushers and vibrating feeders.
Cheonnaeri Cement upgrades Cheonae cement plant
12 June 2023North Korea: State-owned Cheonnaeri Cement has completed a successful upgrade to its 1Mt/yr Cheonae cement plant in South Hamgyong Province. Korean News has reported that the upgrade involved the replacement of the plant's clinker cooler, burners and clinker and raw materials handling systems. A new bucket conveyor has more than doubled raw materials handling capacity.
Cheonnaeri Cement reportedly plans to further expand the capacity of the plant.
Sunchon cement plant celebrates 50th anniversary
03 May 2023North Korea: The Sunchon cement plant near Pyongyang is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding. President Kim Il Sung visited the site in May 1973 before construction started, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Cement from the plant has been used to build the West Sea Barrage, Kwangbok Street, Ryomyong Street, the Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station and additional ‘monumental edifices.’ Other the years of its operations workers at the site have been awarded the Order of Kim Il Sung and Order of Kim Jong Il, the title of Labour Hero, the title of Merited Calcinations Worker and other forms of recognition.
Upgrades reported at North Korean cement plants
28 April 2023North Korea: Upgrades to two cement plants have been reported by the Korean Central News Agency. The Sunchon cement plant near Pyongyang has installed a multi-channel pulverised-coal burner. The upgrade has allowed the unit to both save coal and increase cement production. The Chonnaeri cement plant in Hamgyongnam province has started operating a new clinker cooler. The companies supplying the new equipment to either plant have not been revealed.
North Korea reports increased production at Hysan Cement
08 November 2022North Korea: State media in Pyongyang has stated that the Hysan Cement plant has carried out its yearly plan ahead of schedule and has produced ‘thousands more tonnes’ of cement than forecast. The factory was reported to have implemented dozens of ‘valuable inventions,’ which reportedly allowed it to increase production by 20% so far in 2022 relative to its total production volume for 2021.
North Korea’s Manpho cement plant increases its capacity by 20%
29 November 2021North Korea: Manpho cement plant has increased its production capacity by 20% through ‘technical innovations.’ Korean News Service has reported that the installation of new equipment in the plant’s kiln line also improved clinker quality.
North Korea: The North Korea government says that it will supply 10,000t/yr of cement to every city and county in the country. The new target will help to fulfil the aims of the January 2021 Five Year Plan, under which the state aims to build 10,000 apartments/year in Pyongyang and 5000 apartments/year in Komdok. The 38 North project has reported that in order to realise this vision, it plans to establish 8.0Mt/yr of new capacity via upgrades and new projects by January 2026.
In March 2021 a North Korean delegation visited a Chinese cement plant to learn about modern cement production.
Sunchon Cement supplies flood reconstruction efforts
26 August 2020North Korea: The state-run KCNA news agency has announced that cement, iron and steel and timber production units throughout North Korea are ‘pushing forward’ with production to supply building materials to flood-ravaged areas, including in Unpha County (North Hwanghae Province) and Ichone County (Kangwon Province). It stated that the Sunchon Cement plant had provided 10,000t of cement to reconstruction sites in ‘a short span of time.’
North Korean plant ‘commissioned in a week’
23 March 2020North Korea: Local press says that the Sangwon Cement Complex in North Hwanghae Province has reported an upsurge in production, apparently making a record 10,000t/month of cement, its highest production level ever.
Chief engineer Yun Song Chol was quoted as saying that this had been made possible by ‘prioritising science and technology’ and ensuring the operation of equipment ‘at full capacity in accordance with the completion of modernisation at the end of 2019.’ Following the works, the line was reportedly commissioned in just a week.