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CEMENT AMERICAS • Fall 2014 • www.cementamericas.com 4 CEMENTSCOPE preciation closed at $1.49 million, a 0.43 percent decline year-over-year. Operating profit totaled $1.20 million for the period, while for the year prior the company re- ported a total of $7.47 million. Interest expense amounted to $1.21 mil- lion for the period, versus $2.48 million for same period in 2013. Additionally, the com- pany reported a roughly $432,000 loss on currency exchange, an improvement com- pared to the loss of $6.22 million recorded last year. Loss before taxation totaled $433,401, a decline of approximately 64 percent relative to the loss of $1.21 million last year. Net loss closed at $472,833. Mayberry Investments said the company highlighted that "in comparing the results for 2014 with those for 2013 it is necessary to recognize the impact of the debt re- structuring exercise that was completed in June 2013. In this regard, the results for 2013 include a $5.25 million reversal of previously accrued withholding taxes, re- sulting in a much improved operating profit for the first six months of 2013." Lafarge Canada Plant Achieves Environmental Milestone Lafarge Canada Inc. announced its cement plant in Exshaw, Alberta, Canada, has met its target to reduce emissions of dust, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from its existing cement kiln line, and achieved zero water discharge from its operations. As part of its expansion, which will in- crease manufacturing capacity by 60 percent, Lafarge upgraded an existing manufacturing line and is construct- ing a new kiln line. With the upgrade of the existing line now complete, Exshaw has reduced emissions signif- icantly, with SO2 reduced by 60 per- cent and as well as a 40 percent reduction in NOx. The plant has invested $20 million in the upgrade, which has introduced additional dust mitigation and noise abatement equipment. These activi- ties support Lafarge's Sustainability Ambitions for 2020 to provide solu- tions using sustainable manufacturing practices and improving the environ- ment in and around its operations. "When we embarked on this project, we made a promise to our customers and neighbors that we would improve our environmental footprint," said Bob Cooper, vice president Western Canada Cement, Lafarge. "We've taken the first major step to reduce SO2, NOx, and kiln particulate matter. And we are now recycling all of our cooling water, which means no dis- charge back to the Bow River and the plant is drawing less water." Every large construction project comes with its own set of challenges, added Cooper. Lafarge achieved this milestone while remaining injury-free. This plant expansion shows Lafarge's commitment to its customers and continuous improvement and the company is keen to reach its next major milestone – the completion of its new kiln line and vertical cement mill. Cement from Exshaw is helping build better cities across Canada and the northwestern U.S. "We are grateful to all of our staff and the contractor teams who have helped us reach this milestone and to the communities near our Plant, for their support," stated Heinz Knopfel, plant manager at the Exshaw facility. "They have been waiting for these improve- ments since the notion of this expan- sion was first discussed and we're happy to deliver on our promise." The construction of the new line con- tinues and is expected to be com- pleted in summer 2015. The economic impact of the Exshaw plant's increased production and GDP of Alberta is estimated at $800 million per year. Lafarge's investment of hun- dreds of millions of dollars in the ex- pansion will provide long-term employment opportunities in the Bow Valley.