Bangkok--2 Sep--SCG
SCG showcases world-class environmental management standards at its closed-system coal operation — Thailand's first ever — where superior closed system coal management standards are implemented throughout the entire process from handling, stockpiling to transporting in order to ensure minimized impact on the surrounding communities and the environment. The company also invites other operators to join with the "Ruk Chumchon" Group in its efforts to elevate coal operation industry standards to achieve sustainable development.
Mr. Bunn Kasemsup, Managing Director of SCG Trading a subsidiary of SCG Cement - Building Materials, said "Coal is an essential raw material used in manufacturing processes in the industrial sector. SCG realizes the importance in the development of coal operation and transportation management standards that reduce impact on communities and the environment. Most recently, SCG has invested 400 million Baht in Thailand's first closed-system coal operation system using internationally recognized technology on par with the systems used in Japan and Australia. The management system covers the entire coal handling process, from sourcing, handling, stockpiling, and finally transporting to customers. We are confident that the coal management system will help minimize impact on the communities and help raise the bar for Thailand's coal operation industry."
The outstanding feature of SCG's coal management system is the handling, stockpiling and transporting processes are all closed loop, meaning that the coal is transported on to a conveyor belt from the vessel instead of being handled by staffs, water spray is used for dust suppression, a sorting system takes out impurities, and a dust collector system is installed to minimize dust before the coal enters the stockpile.
Within the closed-system coal stockpile, machinery is used instead of manpower. Dust collectors and dust filter bags are installed along the conveyor belt as the coal is passed to the closed silo to be stored before being distributed to the customers.
SCG requires that all trucks are completely covered with a tarp, the wheels are cleaned in a wheel wash system, and every truck is sprayed down with water before leaving the premises, to ensure that dust emissions are controlled. Silencer systems are installed by the conveyor belts to decrease noise levels, while a water treatment system allows used water to be treated and reused.
In addition to the best practices, SCG is one of the founding members of the "Ruk Chomchon" Group (Caring for the Community Partnership), which is a collaboration among cement manufacturers and coal importers in the Nakornluang district. The group's goals are to elevate standards of operation and driving community development projects which will allow the industry to be able to harmoniously coexist with the community and wider society.
Mr. Werawong Wongwatanadate, Chairman of the "Ruk Chomchon" Group, said "the group's initiatives are to improve the standards of the transporting system and the docks to surpass those required by the government, to preserve the environment, and to develop the communities through various programs. For the past two years, all nine members of the group have worked closely together and have shown progress such as factories and docks improvements, carrying out biannual dust monitoring, and conducting community surveys to find true community CSR needs which includes fixing and cleaning the roads as well as support in education and sports. The group is happy to give advice to operators and encourage cooperation to uplift the coal handling and processing management standards so the industry can sustainably coexist with the communities and wider society."