Nqobile Bhebhe,Zimpapers Business Hub PPC Zimbabwe was fined US$3 000 by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for excessive dust emissions from its kiln stack and fallout dust, as the cement manufacturer continues to roll out environmental management measures to align with national regulatory frameworks. The penalty, confirmed in PPC’s 2025 Sustainability Report, comes at a time when the company is intensifying efforts to curb emissions, enhance transparency, and ensure compliance across its operations. In the report, PPC underscored its commitment to environmental stewardship, stating: “PPC complies with all relevant environmental legislation across key areas, including air quality, carbon emissions waste and water management, and biodiversity. “To support this, we maintain plant-specific environmental registers to identify, assess, and update obligations and risks in line with evolving regulatory requirements.” The company acknowledged that monitoring of compliance is done through structured systems. “Compliance is monitored through a combination of internal controls, external audits, and ongoing engagements with regulatory authorities. Specific operational plans and authorisations are in place for each site,” PPC noted. Despite these controls, EMA sanctioned PPC with a US$3 000 fine, citing dust emissions that exceeded permissible levels. “The Environmental Management Agency issued a US$3 000 fine for high dust emissions from both the stack and fallout dust,” the report confirmed. In response, PPC has adopted corrective measures aimed at curbing particulate emissions. Notably, the company has adjusted clinker offloading procedures and plans to install a dedicated structure to contain dust. “Clinker offloading adjustments have been implemented, reducing tippler usage to minimise dust emissions. A long-term solution involves procuring a tippler shed to further control dust,” the company said. PPC reiterated its resolve to maintain responsible and transparent environmental practices, particularly in emissions monitoring. “PPC manages emissions responsibly and transparently across all its operations. Emissions from kiln stacks and other point sources are continuously monitored through advanced systems to ensure compliance with regulatory thresholds. These systems are regularly calibrated and maintained to deliver accurate, reliable data.” The cement producer outlined several recent interventions designed to strengthen dust control, including major filter upgrades and international benchmarking efforts. “Other key interventions included the replacement of bag filters at PPC Slurry, PPC Bulawayo, and PPC Colleen Bawn to improve dust capture performance. PPC Riebeek and PPC De Hoek also undertook a proactive gap analysis of their particulate monitoring systems and isokinetic sampling points, benchmarking these against both local and international standards.” Further strengthening its environmental governance, PPC invested in digital systems and human capital development. “In FY25, we rolled out the ABB Knowledge Management system across the group. The system facilitates tracking of emissions performance for each site. In addition, we continued to build internal capacity by training employees on best practices for emissions control and embedding a culture of environmental accountability.” The latest developments come as regulatory scrutiny intensifies and stakeholders increasingly demand environmentally responsible practices across all sectors of the economy.