Holcim Continues To Provide Information To Oamaru

Media Release: Friday 22 December 2007

Holcim Continues To Provide Information To Oamaru Community

Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd continues to provide information to the Oamaru community relating to its proposed Weston option cement plant, as technical investigations being carried out in preparation for lodging resource consents advance to the stage where accurate and relevant information can be provided.

In May this year Holcim announced its intentions to work towards making resource consent applications, and since then has been going through a process where it has been gathering the necessary information to support those applications. The company is dependent on its independent advisors providing their reports so that information can then be provided to the community. The various reports that contain that information and assess effects on the environment are only now being finalised.

“The timing of our information gathering and consultation has remained consistent throughout the process to date,” said Paul Commons, Holcim New Zealand General Manager, Strategy and Development. “We are communicating in the timeframe we had always indicated and are not able to accelerate that process. The final reports in some technical areas are simply not completed and when they are, will be released to stakeholders.”

Holcim New Zealand has today provided answers to a number of questions recently received from the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society relating to fuels and raw materials, air quality monitoring, and rain effects, which it is able to provide in advance of the technical reports from independent advisors. In addition the company has offered to arrange a meeting between air quality advisors that are advising

Holcim and those who are advising the Society on air quality matters. It has also offered a meeting with its technical advisor on health issues to discuss questions the Society has raised. “Consultation is a two-way process, needing openness and respect on both sides. We find it helpful to meet and discuss questions any members of the community may have, so that we ensure we address these,” said Paul Commons. Holcim has asked the Society for clarification on two questions it has raised, including that relating to its request to carry out its own sampling of limestone, coal and tuff that would be used at the plant.

“Analyses of limestone, coal and tuff have been carried out independently of Holcim, and we have offered to provide a copy of the certification and accreditation of the relevant laboratories so that the Society can be assured of the credibility of this information,” said Paul Commons.

“We are keen to discuss with anyone their questions and comments about the project, and will continue to provide information to the Oamaru community as it becomes available.”

ENDS

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