PPC beantwoord vrae oor nuwe R3 miljard-fabriek

PPC het reeds begin met die voorbereiding van hul terrein by hul bestaande aanleg buite Riebeek-Wes vir die nuwe moderne aanleg ten bedrae van R3 miljard.
Dit is na alle waarskynlikheid die grootste enkele belegging ooit in die Swartland.
Die nuwe aanleg sal 1,5 miljoen ton sement per jaar – ongeveer drie keer meer as die huidige een – produseer.
dié courant het vyf weke gelede ‘n klompie vrae aan PPC gerig oor die nuwe aanleg en die impak op die streek.

Ons het vandag die antwoorde van ‘n woordvoerder ontvang en plaas die vrae en antwoorde hier onveranderd.

Question 1. Why Riebeek West? In other words, besides the logistics, is it the case that there still is a large source of raw material on the site?

Answer: PPC Riebeeck is situated on one of the best limestone deposits in the Western Cape. This good quality limestone enables PPC to produce cement competitively and ensures that we remain relevant in the current market. This combined with the proximity of the plant to Cape Town and other regions within the Western Cape makes it the ideal location for this project.

Question 2. Do you consider this to be a renewal or a completely new plant? In other words, will large parts of the current plant be incorporated into it, or will it be largely demolished?

Answer: The new facility can be seen as an entirely new plant. There will however be parts of the existing plant that will be upgraded and modernised to support the operations of the new plant. All the new plant’s major production equipment will be state of the art equipment that will be installed.

Question 3. The capacity of the plant – more or less 3000t clinker per day/3500t clinker per day? Is everything processed on site? In other words, is it only cement that leaves the site?

Answer: It will be a 3500t clinker per day and the plant will be producing cement as the final product for despatch.

Question 4. What is the approximate lifespan of such a plant?

Answer: Modern plants are typically designed and built for a ‘life’ of approximately 50 years.

Question 5. Has a similar plant using the same technology been built elsewhere in the world recently?

Answer: Yes, similar plants have been constructed in China, South America, Middle East and more recently in parts of Africa

Question 6. Are there specific new or unique technology and what does the energy consumption look like? Specific plans for renewable energy?

Answer: Due to the size of this plant, the electricity requirement is almost three times as much as the current plant. For this reason, PPC has engaged ESKOM and will be constructing a new substation to support the electricity demand of the new operation. The new facility that will be constructed will include a 2MW rooftop solar installation. Future plans for the operation might include the expansion on the solar installation up to 10MW. The plant will also be designed and constructed with the capability to capture waste heat and convert it into electricity.

Question 7. How will the plant’s employment opportunities/workforce, when completed and in use, differ from that of the current plant?

Answer: Final labour structures for the new plant have not been determined as yet, and will be better defined over the next two years as construction gets underway. The existing plant will operate during this time, and an assessment will continue on the optimal skills and employment level required for the new plant. Given the advanced nature of the new plant, PPC needs to thoroughly consider the required skills level and labour compliment to ensure that the right skills are deployed to look after the new asset that will be constructed. Proper training will be provided to our workforce to ensure that new technology will be properly understood and utilised.

Question 8. More or less how many additional job opportunities for people from the immediate area will there be during the construction phase?

Answer: During construction, approximately 400-500 jobs for local residents will be created. This excludes any work for local subcontractors or other services that will be required during construction. In addition to job creation, the project will also support local businesses and guesthouses in the area.

Question 9. How many experts in other fields will temporarily live in the area during the construction phase and how many will possibly stay here after completion?

Answer: This is still to be determined.

Question 10. What does the new plant look like visually? Also in terms of height compared to the existing plant. A schematic representation/sketch always gives readers a good picture of what to expect.

Answer: The design process is being finalised, and we share this at a later stage.

Question 11. What does the environmental impact look like in terms of
a. Air

Answer: Air quality will be a significant improvement compared to the existing plant. All stockpiles will be covered by structures to prevent wind-blown dust. Additionally, the plant will be installed with the latest dust filtration technology to minimise dust emissions from the process. The plant will also be equipped with technology, which will greatly reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions to levels well below international standards.

b. Water

Answer: Water consumption of the plant is expected to remain the same as current level. Minimal water is used in the cement manufacturing process, and any water that is used is obtained from the on-site water storages which is filled with water from the mine. On site fresh water usage will be mainly limited to drinking and sanitation purposes for employees.

c. Traffic

Answer: This will be firmly in line with the approved traffic study conducted as part of the environmental impact assessment process.

Question 12. After the current site clearing and some renovations to existing infrastructure, when do you hope to officially start construction of the new plant?

Answer: Preliminary mobilization works have started, and ground levelling activities and excavation work for the structural foundation is planned to kickstart towards August 2025.

Question 13. Will everything be done in one phase and when do you expect the new plant to become operational?

Answer: The current aim is to have a fully functioning cement manufacturing line running by the end of this project. We envisage to have this completed within a 24-month period. There might be some future developments around the expansion of the Solar PV installation and one or two minor additions to the new plant. But the bulk of the construction activities should ramp down towards March 2027.

Question 14. The cost of the facility is reported to be R3 billion. Is this largely foreign investment and who are the entities involved?

Answer: This investment is being made by PPC with the support of its local financial institution.

Question 15. Regarding the PPC Riebeekberg Marathon. It will not take place this year and next year. Is the plan to resume again in 2027?

Answer: The PPC Riebeek Berg Marathon is an integral part of the onsite culture of our employees, it forms a big part of our annual social calendar. Due to the activities taking place, it would be irresponsible for us to continue with the event this year and expose the general public to the activities relating to a construction site. But we still envisage to host the event in the future.

Question 16. What other community projects in the Riebeek Valley and elsewhere in the Swartland are you involved in? Maybe a little more detail on that.

Answer: Community Development Initiatives Empowering Hundreds Across the Swartland region
PPC as a responsible Corporate Citizen aims to create shared value and uplift communities through its ongoing corporate social investment (CSI) and social and labour plans (SLPs). PPC’s aim is to create impact through relevance, empowerment, sustainability and focus on priority areas aligned with the National Development Plans. A recent breakdown of community development initiative investment across three approved Social and Labour Plans to date, reveals a strong investment in skills development, benefiting over 60 youth from local communities through bursaries, internships, artisan learnerships, and youth development programmes with a total investment of R8.6 million.
PPC Riebeeck partnered with the Swartland municipality on socio economic development projects that would make a meaningful impact in the communities in which we operate. Local Economic Development projects successfully implemented includes the construction of the Swartland Youth Centre (POP Centre) in Riebeeck West, the construction of Grade R classrooms in Riebeeck West & Riebeeck Kasteel, the construction of the Wielie Walie creche and Esterhof crèche ablution facilities, contribution to the upgrade of the Riebeeck West and -Kasteel waste water treatment plant, business development programmes for SMME’s in the Riebeeck Valley, assistance with compliance and upskilling of teachers of the seven ECD centres in the Riebeeck Valley and the construction of four business trading units for small SMME’s in Riebeeck West and Riebeeck Kasteel – total LED spend of R12,2 million with over 200 job opportunities created for local the local community.
Future local economic development projects include the construction of two classrooms at Meiring Primary School for learners with special needs and the establishment of an informal traders’ market in Riebeeck West.
Apart from Social and Labour Plan commitments, PPC Riebeeck also contributed directly to the community thought its CSI initiatives such as donations, sponsorships, dux student awards, sports equipment donations to local sport teams and schools and community pop-up closets in Riebeeck West and Riebeeck Kasteel.