Several steps till Holcim cement plant decision, New Zealand

Several steps till Holcim cement plant decision, New Zealand
24 September 2009


Holcim may have the all-clear from the Environment Court for its proposed Oamaru cement factory, but it is warning there is some way to go before a decision on the plant is made.

The company has been planning the factory in Weston on the outskirts of Oamaru since 2006, with the original cost doubling to US$300-$400m as it aims for a 2012 completion.

Last month Holcim was granted all of the consents for the proposed plant by the Environment Court.

But that did not mean the plans for the plant were set in stone, with the company pointing out today it still needs to complete several more important stages over the next few months before it will make a decision.

It said it still needed to complete detailed costings, as well as a feasibility study and business case for the project, factoring in the conditions accepted by the Environment Court.

Holcim capital projects manager Ken Cowie said the conditions accepted by the court were “reasonable and workable”.

“Now that the Environment Court process is complete we understand that people are keen to know whether a cement plant will be built near Weston. This is however a very significant business decision and one which needs to be made in a careful and responsible manner.”
Published under Cement News