National Cement, a US subsidiary of Vicat, has been fined $148,000 over mercury emissions at its integrated Ragland plant in Alabama.
The fine has been imposed by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), says a report out this week on www.globalcement.com.
The plant is alleged to have violated the mercury emissions rules for 123 days between May 2019 and February 2020.
The plant is alleged to have burned coal and other raw materials with unexpectedly high mercury levels as fuel during the period, says a report by Daily Home newspaper.
National Cement has undertaken several upgrades and operational changes to address the issue, including installation of a mercury absorption carbon injection system worth $400,000, says Spencer Weitman, president of the firm.
In January 2020 National Cement began work on construction of a new US$250m kiln line, due for completion in 2022.
