PPC is recognised for providing consistent product quality and services and will continue to do so under the challenge of the continuous high utilisation levels of its plants. Cement products remain subject to stringent testing during the manufacturing process, in accordance with the relevant South African National Standards (SANS) specifications. Imported cement is also tested according to SANS requirements during the manufacturing process. Additional testing is performed on the imported product once offloaded in South Africa, which ensures that the cement has not degraded while in transit. This process enables PPC to guarantee the quality of both locally produced and imported products. PPC’s burnt lime and dolomite products continue to be successfully manufactured according to strict customer requirements.

In line with PPC’s stated corporate value to supply quality products and services, the company has retained its ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management systems as well as the SABS 1841 certification or “e-mark” for assuring consistency in terms of bag mass. PPC’s Group Laboratory Services division has also retained its ISO 17025 accreditation through the South African National Accreditation System.

During the year, PPC’s laboratories were audited by the Cement and Concrete Institute and a ‘zero findings’ report was received for the fourth consecutive year. This is a remarkable achievement as PPC is the only company in the domestic cement industry to have achieved zero findings for all its cement testing laboratories.

PPC regards legal compliance as the first step to environmental management. Compliance principles and parameters identify the priorities and standards for maintaining a sound relationship with the environment and all stakeholders. However, going beyond compliance, PPC recognises the importance of being a responsible corporate citizen and taking a leadership role to ensure potentially harmful mining activities are balanced with sincere rehabilitation and environmental stewardship objectives.

PPC’s ISO 14001 EMS includes a process for identifying applicable legal and applicable regulatory requirements and ensures that these requirements are factored into the organisation’s business activities. All major plant upgrades and expansions at PPC are authorised by the relevant government department. Moreover, the company obtains the requisite approval for mining activities from the Department of Minerals and Energy as well as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

During the year, Slurry’s provisional air quality registration certificate was converted to final registration certificate. Jupiter’s provisional registration certificate was extended to December 2008. Once authorities are confident that the rest of PPC’s operations comply with all relevant ambient air quality legislation, including the comprehensive implementation of an air quality management plan, the provisional registrations can be converted to final emission licences in terms of the Air Quality Act. PPC is currently developing emission inventories and demonstrating conformity to the conditions of the provisional registrations.

PPC has responded to the provincial environment departments’ requirements for the section 24G (post facto) applications submitted for the Slurry and Dwaalboom operations. It has demonstrated that at no point during the post facto activity was there any potential to detrimentally impact on the environment.

The organisation is presently planning mining authorisation conversions and has drafted social and labour plans in preparation for the relevant mining authorisations in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.

PPC endeavours to support suppliers who are environmentally conscious. The certification to ISO 14001 is encouraged through supplier accreditation process by the procurement department.

PPC operations won DEKRA awards for their sustainability and corporate governance. Lime Acres won the Silver Award for implementing and being certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and AMS 16001 (an HIV/AIDS management system). Slurry, Port Elizabeth, George depot, Saldanha, Riebeeck all received bronze for implementing and being certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001.

The performance of the Mooiplaas and Laezonia quarries has improved during the last four years from a score of 4 (Health and Safety: 80 – 89% audit score) and score of 4 Fish Eagles (Environmental: 80 – 89% audit score) respectively, to Showplace Awards in 2006/07. This is the highest possible award within ASPASA and represents a score of >95% for each of the audits.

• People capacity building including investigating options around education and training in line with recommendations;
• Developing targets for meeting the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Accord as part of the Just Cool It Project Team initiatives;
• Further formalised stakeholder engagement with key role players; and
• Entrenching the environmental framework objectives and recommendations into business.

Urishanie Govender
Group manager sustainability and environment
Pretoria Portland Cement Company Limited
Postal address:
PO Box 787416
Sandton
2146
Tel: 011 386 9122
Fax: 011 386 9117
Email: urishanie.govender@ppc.co.za