US: LafargeHolcim’s plans for a solar power station for its Hagerstown cement plant have stalled, after Washington County denied its contractor Greenbacker Renewable Energy Corp the expected tax break for the project.

A break from personal property tax levied on equipment, of the sort granted to other solar energy projects, would have resulted in taxes of approximately US$1.6m instead of US$2.9m over its 25 years in effect, CommsMEA has reported. The County’s decision hinged on debates over the number of long-term jobs created by the project. Greenbacker previously argued that the long-term job security of LafargeHolcim’s 108 Hagerstown employees was embellished by the move towards improved sustainability and the stabilisation of energy costs.

The motion, proposed by Commissioner Randy Wagner, failed for lack of a second. This followed after a commissioner recused himself from proceedings because, as a financial advisor, he stood to benefit from the project through the investments of his clients.

Zimbabwe: A blast at Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe’s Sternblick quarry on 15 August 2019 has killed one person and injured another.

Agence Ecofin has reported that two women were at home on Pangoula Farm, Harare, when debris from the quarry entered through the roof, striking 36-year-old Shupikai Chatsina, who lost her life instantly, on the head. She leaves behind a husband and five children. The second woman, Ms Chatsina’s aunt, is recovering in hospital.

LafargeHolcim’s contractor Afri Mining did not follow established blasting procedures. The disaster is under police investigation.

Nigeria: A laden Dangote Cement lorry suffered a brake failure and ran head-on into a bus in Ikorodu, Lagos State on 27 August 2019, killing the bus driver, a trainee bus driver and one passenger. All 69 other passengers were injured.

The Punch has reported that the Dangote vehicle was carrying 45t, significantly over its rated capacity. The company has commenced an investigation of the incident.

China: CNBM have reported a good first half of 2019, with profits of US$1.23bn, an increase of 30.6% from US$0.94bn in the same period of 2019.