Cement dust outcry in Redcliff

REDCLIFF residents are up in arms with cement manufacturer, Livetouch Investments, the producers of Diamond cement, for spewing clouds of dust and fumes, which are a health threat.

Fumes and dust compromise air quality, which in turn affects the skin, eyes, sinuses and nasal passages, lungs, and other important parts of the body.

Constant exposure to dust, gases, vapours, smoke, and fumes can lead to debilitating consequences and illness.

These include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asbestosis and cancers of the respiratory system such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Livetouch Investments is located in the heart of Stone Clare, a sprawling residential suburb.

Residents have been at loggerheads with the company over the issue.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), also delayed issuing the residential suburb with a certificate because it is sandwiched by another cement manufacturer, Pacstar Cement and Steelmakers, both of which pose a health hazard.

Residents have raised a concern over the issue of dust and fumes and the matter is now being handled by EMA.

Last year, EMA fined the company US$5 000 for failing to comply with emission standards.

EMA Kwekwe district officer, Mr Daniel Magombedze,said they are seized with the matter.

“We received a complaint from Stone Clare residents in Redcliff over dust pollution emanating from the cement manufacturing plant. We attended first in September 2023 and made observations and discussed a way forward,” he said.

“We ordered them to submit an action plan, which stated their mitigation measures including tree planting and paving of their roadways.”

Mr Magombedze, said a follow-up assessment showed little or no compliance with the laid down action plan.

“We made follow-ups in November and December and most recently in February and the findings were that they were not adhering to the action plan. We issued another ticket order and demanded another action plan which should be implemented by 17 March,” he said.

“We just hope that they will have implemented and there will be no dust by then.”

The company also pledged to plant gum trees which serve as dust traps, pave the roadways, investigate other sources of pollution, and address them.

Mr Magombedze, said going forward an emission survey would be conducted.

“We intend to carry out an air quality modelling for the area to determine the levels of pollution from dust emissions at the cement manufacturing plant and the overall air quality in the essential areas,” he said.

Mr Magombedze said if the company does not meet the March 17 deadline, this might force the company to temporarily suspend operations until they address the pollution.

Livetouch Spokesman, Mr George Makonese, said they are doing all they can to address the issue.

“We received the tickets from EMA and we are doing all we can to address the matter. We have since transferred our dumpster to a site which is far from the residential areas for starters and we continue doing our best so that we can live harmoniously with the residents,” said he said.

Mr Makonese said more focus should be put on the health of the people.

“The company indeed came before the residents, but our main focus now is on the well-being of residents, and that is why we keep working to ensure that they are safe,” he said.