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Oman Cement reported a OMR 9.9 million (€19.09 million) pre-tax profit in the first half of 2014, up 4.3% from the year-ago period. In contrast, sales fell 5.9% during the same period.

China-based cement producer and trader China Resources Cement Holdings Limited has signed a 36-month loan deal with a bank for an amount of CNY 300mn (€35.91 million).

Siam City Cement recorded a THB 7.8 billion (€182 million) of net sales for the second quarter of 2014, a year-on-year growth of 4.4%, although Thailand’s second biggest cement producer recorded a 9% year-on-year decline for its second quarter net profit to reach THB 1.47 billion due to equities revenue from its associated companies having dropped and losses from foreign exchange.

For the first six months of 2014 the company’s sales grew by 10% to THB 16.5 billion while net profit was THB 3.38 billion, a

In Morocco, the maximum duration of quarry exploitation has been reduced from 20 years to 15 years, and quarry operators will only have two years to comply with the new law after its adoption. The law may be revised.

Bell Equipment UK says that a strong Hillhead has contributed to it enjoying its “most successful month for several years” with the closure of over 20 deals during the recent show near Buston, England.

The company exhibited its range of articulated dump trucks and wheeled loaders at Hillhead, including the next generation E-series ADT.

“The difference is palpable from 2012, when there was still uncertainty about the prospects for construction. This time, customers have a clear idea of the future and

DUO Africa has unveiled plans for further expansion in west Africa with the imminent opening of a new trading office in Lagos, Nigeria, supported by a spares and depot facility in the north of the country.

The company, an official Powerscreen and Terex representative in the region, already has a trading office and service centre in Ghana, while the opening of DUO’s new Nigerian facilities coincides with Powerscreen’s plans to expand DUO’s territory in the region

“Throughout our time in Ghana we have r

The Egyptian Customs Authority is reported as saying it would impose export fees on the raw materials of marble, granite and sands as ordered by the state's Trade Ministry in an attempt to optimise the added value of their finished products.

The decision aims to reduce exports of marble, granite, and sand and includes a ban on the minerals quartz, talc, manganese, and feldspar

According to the ministry's decision, each tonne of raw marble and granite will be levied by LE200 (€20.8) in exporting fees,

Lafarge has sold its cement operations in Pakistan for an enterprise value of US$329 million (€244 million) to BestWay Cement.

Lafarge Pakistan Cement Ltd1, listed on the Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stock exchanges, operates an integrated cement plant, located close to Islamabad in the north of the country.

This divestment will contribute to Lafarge’s net debt reduction objective.

This transaction is subject to the authorisation from relevant authorities and compliance with regulatory obligations

Holcim’s chief executive Bernard Fontana has said that the Swiss cement company and French group Lafarge have received more than 100 expressions of interest in assets they are planning to sell ahead of their planned merger.

The two companies proposed a multi-billion euro series of asset sales two weeks ago in their efforts to get regulatory approval for the planned merger, unveiled in April. This would create a combined group with €33 billion(US$44 billion) in annual sales.

According to a Reuters’ rep

Turkish conglomerate Sonmez Holding is reported to be looking to achieve growth through cement production. The conglomerate recently sold its cement subsidiary Sancim Bilecik Cimento to Cimsa, part of Sabanci Holding, for €163.48 million. However, Sonmez Holding is said to be aiming to stay in the cement business with a new plant to be launched next month [August 2014]. Based in Adana Yumurtalik Free Zone, the new plant and will cost €184.8 million. It will mainly produce for export markets with 2 million t

The board of Pakistan's Lucky Cement is reported to be about to announce a recommendation to its shareholders to inject US$202.9 million (PKR 20 billion) into developing a 660 MW coal-based power plant. To be located in Karachi, the plant will be held by a new entity named Lucky Power, indirectly 75% held by Lucky Cement through its subsidiary Lucky Holdings (LHL). The total project bill is estimated at US$1.08bn, to be financed with debt and equity at an estimated 75:25 ratio.

Cemex say improved trade in the US, Mediterranean, South America, Central America, the Caribbean and Asia , and the higher price of its products in local currency terms in most of its operations, has led to the Mexican building material giant’s 4% increase to US$4.2 billion in Q2 2014 consolidated net sales, compared to the same period of 2013.

With controlling interest net income at $76 million in the quarter, Cemex posted its first quarterly profit since 2009. Cemex’s operating EBITDA increased year-

The MPA (Mineral Products Association) and its members have been taking significant action on a key recommendation in the UK House of Commons Transport Committee Cycling Safety report relating to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), published today.

One of the Committee’s recommendations (16) calls on the freight industry to “create a culture of safety among HGVs” and requests “the establishment of a timetable for the development of an industry-wide code of conduct”. In support of this, MPA had already launched

The recovery of the UK construction market is said to be the key behind Breedon Aggregates reporting a 25% increase in sales in the opening six months of 2014, compared to the same period previous year. Pre-tax profits rose from €6.71 million to €11.89 million, while turnover rose from €126.79 million to €158.43 million. Aggregate sales were 3.6 million tonnes, against 2.7 million last time, with asphalt sales up from 0.6 million to 0.7 million tonnes. Ready-mixed concrete sales rose from 283,000m³ to 326,0