Athi River Mining Ltd is committed to conserving and protecting the environment and it has an active environmental policy for the same.
ARM environmental policy is based on its respect for nature and believes in maintaining a balance between the needs of mankind and nature. In extracting and processing minerals from the earth, ARM ensures that everything is done to:
- Reduce noise by use of special blasting techniques, by sound proofing noisy machinery, and by setting aside of the protected areas.
- Reduce dust through use of various filtering techniques.
- Restoring each mining site to nature state by tree planting, creating dams and ponds and involving the local community in conservation projects.
The European Community standards set for industrial projects are applied to its plants at Athi River and Kaloleni. All the production operations are equipped with efficiency dust collecting systems and exhaust gases are treated in special electrostatic precipitators to an efficiency of less than 100mg / Nm. ARM protects the pollution of the surface and ground water through a highly efficient closed circuit waste liquid disposal system.
ARM also has a quarry rehabilitation program, which provides for the back filling of the excavated areas with imported soil. Trees and plants are planted on the rehabilitated grounds with the objective of leaving each place better than it was before the quarrying operation.
ARM has a very active forestation policy through which the company has planted thousands of seedlings at its plants creating a beautiful environment around its factories. The company is also committed to towards assisting the local communities and has developed a collaborative tree planting program in participation with the local community, women and schools. ARM also heads the East African Business Council Forestation Effort all over the East Africa Region.
ARM has also been involved with UNDP and supported the United Nations world day to combat desertification observed on June 17th 2000 with active participation and financial contributions.
ARM’s active environmental protection policy plays an important role in creating a better environment around the quarries and plants. It has build a dam and created a green belt around its factory in Kaloleni which has now become a home to over 40 different species and bears eloquent witness to the company’s affinity for the environment.
Social Care:
ARM was also involved in various social projects some of them include the following.
- Donated food and clothing to the less fortunate people of Mavoko Municipal Council...
- Donated cement to various churches in Mulologo, Athi River and Kaloleni.
- Construction of roads that lead to quarry sites in Kenya and Makueni.
- As at 2007, ARM has helped in establishing dormitories in kajiado Central District, at the Kenya Marble Quarries primary School (KMQ). This has been in aid of the Masai girl child especially those pressured to marry of at a young age. The shelter cum institution aids in their education and empowering them.
Environmental Care:
The year 2006 was an eventful one which saw ARM helps its community and environment. Some of the events that took place include:
- Winning the certificate of environmental conservation (NEMA).
- ARM also has expanded its tree nursery in Athi River as well as gained a letter of compliance.
- It has partnered with other public institutions hence planted seedlings in Athi River, Kaloleni and Kitengela.
- Other environmental issues it has considered include the rehabilitation of exhausted mines.
- 42,000 seedlings have been donated to various public institutions for planting.
- ARM has joint efforts with Mavoko Municipal Council and has set up the town’s beatification program.
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