Brazil: The heavy rains and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul state have negatively affected cement sales in May 2024, with volumes dropping by 5.6% year-on-year to 5.3Mt, according to the National Union of the Cement Industry (SNIC). Overall sales for the first five months of 2024 reached 25.2Mt, a slight increase of 0.8%. Despite a 0.8% growth in GDP in the first quarter of 2023, the construction sector saw a 0.5% decline due to high interest rates impacting financing and investments. A positive business outlook is expected for the second half of the year, buoyed by labour market trends and wage increases.

Paulo Camillo Penna, President of SNIC, said "In support of the population affected by the severe floods and rains, cement plants in Rio Grande do Sul are fully operational to assist in reconstruction, with normalised supply of the product, which will be essential for the execution of hundreds of necessary projects throughout the state."

Zimbabwe: Khayah Cement has reported a significant increase in sales volumes across its operations for the year ending 31 December 2023. Dry mortar product sales volumes surged by 153%, bolstered by the demand for the Supagrow agricultural lime range within the government's Pfumvudza agriculture programme, absorbing 0.34Mt during the period. The firm's cement business also saw a 34% year-on-year increase in sales volumes following the installation of a vertical cement mill in the third quarter of 2022.

Despite challenges such as power quality issues and equipment breakdowns impacting production, bulk cement volumes grew from 1% to 4% during the period. However, clinker production volumes fell by 21%, mainly due to the mothballing of the kiln in the last half of 2023.

The company said “A total of 1000 hours were lost as a result of the unplanned breakdowns which in turn impacted negatively on both clinker, cement production and sales volumes and with it profits and cash generation.”

Zambia: Chilanga Cement has commissioned a US$20m kiln upgrade project, known as the Phoenix Project, at its Ndola plant. This initiative will double the plant's cement production capacity from 500,000t/yr to 1Mt/yr.

Philippines: OceanaGold Philippines (OGPI) is collaborating with Holcim Philippines to assess the feasibility of using mine tailings in cement production. Holcim will begin by acquiring tailing samples from OGPI for initial testing, aligning with its ‘circular economy’ program that integrates waste materials into cement. Both companies are committed to advancing the study, pending formal partnership arrangements and necessary permits.

OGPI President Joan Adaci-Cattiling said “We’re just waiting for the permit. Right now, we’ve found a way to put plan tailings to good use.”