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Bamburi Cement's Harmonious Linking of Industry and Nature
At Bamburi Cement Ltd. we have made environmental concerns and
protection one of our key business objectives. The company strives
to meet the International Environmental Standards. The most famous example of our land reclamation efforts is Haller Park (formerly known as the Bamburi Nature Trail,) which is a popular nature recreation site for tourists and locals. Haller Park, and other projects of its kind, demonstrate the potential - and benefits - of the coexistence of industry with nature. Furthermore, Bamburi Cement’s managing company Lafarge recently signed a partnership agreement with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to combat diminishing biological diversity and forest cover around the world. Bamburi’s Dr. Haller is the Scientific Advisor to Lafarge’s SQRP (Strategic Quarry Redevelopment Project) group and a liaison and resource person for the WWF. Land Rehabilitation Bamburi Cement launched the quarry rehabilitation to the south
of the factory in 1971, which has now become Haller Park. Haller
Park - situated in Bamburi’s ‘back yard’ - is
the company’s pride and joy, setting the Plant in beautiful
surroundings. The North Quarry
developments are at different stages throughout (as completion of
mining of these areas, and hence the commencement of tree planting,
was staggered) with young trees in some areas, older trees in others,
and excavation still in progress in a few, making it an interesting
and educational tour. Most of it has now been developed, and a rich
biodiversity of trees, lakes, water canals, and a variety of freely
roaming herbivorous wild-life present a striking contrast to the
areas still being quarried. Haller named the area the Bamburi Forest
Trails as there are marked trails for walkers, joggers and cyclists
through the forest. There are a number of mountain bikes for hire,
and the recently constructed Sunset Terrace, a wooden extension
over a lake, offers snacks and drinks for people wanting to relax
after exertions on the trails. Barbecue facilities are also available. The Bamburi Crater Lake is currently being developed in the Central Quarry. The lake will be used for fishing, canoeing, and other environmentally friendly sports. In the centre of the lake, there are two islands which can be made available for daily hire if visitors want to arrange barbecues or picnics. Completion of the first phase of this project is expected by the end of the year. In the The Kikambala Quarry, the coral limestone extraction is still continuing. However, landscaping and tree planting has begun, with a view to further developments on the recreational front. Nguu Tatu is the Shale Quarry. Only part of the area is quarried at present. Bamburi chose to conserve this unique area, and today this rolling green hills cape looks very much like English countryside. Nguu Tatu (Swahili for Three Hills) houses an ostrich and game farm. It is famous among bird watchers for its large variety of bird species’. Over two and a half million trees have been planted around the factory and in the quarries. These not only create a beautiful environment, but also help absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Measures to Reduce Dust Emissions, Dust Spillages and Other Pollutants While gas emissions are partly controlled within the manufacturing process, the greater concern remains the emission of dust into the atmosphere. The fitting of opacity meters for continuous measurement of dust emissions from the main stacks, is expected to be complete by mid 2001. Further efforts to control pollution are as listed below. Reduction of stack emissions: Reduction of fugitive dust emissions:
Reduction of Spillages Reduction of CO2 emissions Greening Bamburi Cement recently launched a project to ‘green’
the Plant. Grass and trees were planted in the factory, creating
a more pleasant environment for factory workers, who take pride
in their attractive and clean surroundings. Recycling Bamburi Cement is launching a pilot recycling programme for paper and printer ink cartridges. Other waste materials will be added to the project in due course. The paper will be sent to Baobab Farm, who currently produce recycled paper, that is subsequently used for the production of calendars, cards, and gift boxes. Future plans for the use of waste paper include the production egg trays. Bamburi Cement carries out environmental impact assessment for any new development (such as the Nairobi Grinding Plant and adjacent pozzolana quarry, and the new Vipingo quarry.) The company also continuously identifies new ways to minimize its impact on the environment and promote its harmonious Industry/Nature co-existence, and hopes to leave the environment in a better way than how it was found! Conservation Partnerships Baobab Trust
: Dr. Haller is one of the founder trustees of Baobab Trust.
The Trust’s activities revolve around conservation and awareness-raising
for endangered indigenous plant and animal species. For example,
it has been running a successful turtle conservation campaign along
the coast, whereby it encourages fishermen to report and protect
turtle nesting found along the beach. Turtle eggs from insecure
sites are moved to protected hatching sites and released as soon
as they emerge. Lafarge’s Partnership Agreement with WWF: Lafarge, the world leader in construction materials, and WWF, the conservation organization, signed a worldwide partnership agreement in Paris, in the framework of WWF's "Conservation Partner" Programme. Lafarge is the first industrial group to establish with WWF a common commitment with as objectives improving its environmental policy, developing WWF's project "Forests Reborn" and raising awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity. In the context of this agreement, Lafarge will, together with WWF,
develop a strategy for biodiversity and integrate it into its worldwide
quarry rehabilitation programme. WWF will also contribute its expertise
to help Lafarge improve its practice in the environmental field. "This is the natural continuation of the policy that the Group has already followed for a number of years. Through its worldwide presence, WWF will bring us the vision and the global expertise we need to set the environmental example for our sector". Lafarge will support WWF in the area of ecological restoration of forests. Restoration is one objective of WWF's forest policy to combat diminishing biological diversity and forest cover around the world. Lafarge will provide global support to WWF's project "Forests Reborn". "We aim to mobilize the largest possible number of companies
and industries to work with us to protect biodiversity," said
Claude Martin, Director General of WWF International. "With
Lafarge, we are associating ourselves with an industrial group that
has made the environment one of its major strategic objectives.
We will ask it to commit itself to reduce even further the ecological
impact of its activities, and we will assist them in this task." Notes to Editors
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