Asia & Pacific Rim

Rio Tinto has begun production of iron ore at the Mesa A/Warramboo mine in Western Australia.

Coastal shipping has been the focus of recent research in India due to its obvious economic benefits for large bulk handling.

Sinoma and Scitus acquisitions, Anhui Conch borrows RMB 4.8 billion, China Runji Cement benefits from rural stimulus and HK prosperity invests in Indonesia.

In a move to subdue harsh competition in the domestic market, the Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (Vicem) is planning to lift exports to 1 million t this year.

China Runji Cement cuts electricity costs, Taiwan cement to expand Chinese interests and Japanese companies bid for JV in wastewater treatment.

A new 1.08 million tpa cement plant in Bulacan, the Philippines, owned by Eagle Cement Corp. is reported to begin cement production in March.

India’s major cement players are responding to strong domestic demand with increased sales.

The Board of Oracle Coalfields PLC, the UK developer of a 1.4 billion t coal deposit in southern Pakistan, is pleased to announce that the company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lucky Cement Limited, a major cement manufacturer and exporter based in Pakistan.

Negotiations are well advanced between the Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC) on the possible sale of power plant coal ash to local cement plants.

The latest news from India on December shipment figures, expansion plans, financial results and coal import duty.

Cement companies have filed complaints against the Vietnamese coal industry. Unduly high prices and excessive humidity are costing the cement industry millions.

Three new cement plants have just been inaugurated which will help Vietnam’s cement production increase again this year.

At the start of this year two Chinese cement producers revealed their latest acquisitions.

Jurong Cement Limited, a subsidiary of Holcim, has received a S$50 million offer for its assets.

FLSmidth has signed a contract with Chinese cement producer Conch to supply a 12 000 tpd cement kiln for the Tongling plant in the Anhui province in eastern China.