Lafarge Eco Systems manages Bamburi Cement’s reserve lands in a manner that factors in geological and environmental factors.
The company oversees the active and sustainable utilization of the reserve lands through development of bio-fuel tree plantations. The reserve land served three main purposes:
- Active and sustainable utilization of Bamburi’s mining reserve land through bio-fuel tree plantations. This was started in 2006
- Fuel-wood production for use in cement kilns, power generation plant, or commercial use. As part of Bamburi’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the wood from the biofuel initiative which is a carbon-neutral fuel, substitute part of the coal used at the cement production kilns, at a reduced cost.
- Community integration through employment and income-generating activities for neighboring communities. This is through providing employment, seedling production by community nurseries; training in nursery management and food security through the shamba system projects. This is a form of agroforestry that allows the local communities to produce food crops on Bamburi reserve land while taking care of the vegetation.
Bio fuel – Achievements
- Produced over 2,000,000 seedlings
- Planted 768ha since 2007 (Diani, Vipingo reserve land)
- Awarded Gold & Silver medals in Total Eco Challenge for several years
Community Integration
- Employment for local communities
- Shamba System: seasonal cultivation contracts
- Seedlings purchased from local CBOs (2-3m KSh./yr)
- CSR in neighboring communities
- Close integration of neighboring communities
