We recognize that our quarrying activities are most closely related to biodiversity.
We are aiming to achieve nature positive by working with local communities, from the development and operation of quarries through to the use of old quarry sites.
Environmental Impact of Quarry Operations
Throughout the group we believe that balancing the conservation of ecosystems in local communities and development of the communities themselves are important in quarry operations. With this belief, we hold discussions with local governments, local communities and academics while operating quarries. This helps to ensure we not only prevent pollution but also conserve biodiversity and water resources while minimizing our environmental impact.
Reducing Environmental Impact
Cement production starts with quarrying limestone, the primary raw material for cement. We also quarry many mineral resource products used as aggregates and industrial raw materials. Because forests are cleared, topsoil is excavated and limestone is extracted at a quarry, it inevitably affects the environment and ecosystem of the quarry’s area. However, because the limestone, sand and other materials that we quarry only require crushing for particle size adjustment and sorting, our operations are unlikely to cause chemical contamination to surrounding areas. In addition, we minimize the amount of waste stones generated during our limestone quarrying by using them as construction materials.
Kanamaru-Maimai (provided by Mie Prefecture Environmental Conservation Agency)
One of the rare species of wild animals and plants designated by Mie Prefecture for which conservation activities are being promoted at Fujiwara Quarry.
Limestone Quarries of the Group
The group operates 19 major limestone quarries around the world, which are located near to our cement plants, with a total site area of 5,355 ha.
Based on the GCCA guidelines, and using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) provided by BirdLife International, we checked if any of our group’s limestone quarries are in any of the protected areas defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and conducted a biodiversity assessment.
Two quarries in Japan are included in areas of biodiversity value*, and none overseas. All these quarries have obtained the necessary licenses from their local governments and conduct environmentally sound quarrying operations. Greening at former quarry sites is being implemented in accordance with plans for environmental restoration. They have no pending litigation concerning biodiversity or other environmental issues.
| Region | Quarries | Site area (ha) | Applicable* quarries |
| Japan | 13 | 2,835 | 2 |
| United States | 4 | 1,903 | 0 |
| Asia-Pacific | 2 | 617 | 0 |
| Ratio of quarries with rehabilitation plans (%) | 95 | ||
* A protected area whose purpose is to conserve habitat mainly through management activities. Includes IUCN Category IV (habitat or species management area) Protected Areas.
Activities to Reduce Environmental Impact
Environmental Impact Assessment
Throughout the group we believe that balancing the conservation of ecosystems in local communities and development of the communities themselves are important in quarry operations. In developing quarries, we conduct ex-ante assessments of environmental impact of quarry developments with the cooperation of experts, based on environmental research of the development area such as on biodiversity and water resources. We then discuss the results of the research with stakeholders before finalizing a development plan. Moreover, we regularly monitor the surrounding environment during the development and operations of quarries, and report to our stakeholders on the environmental impact that the quarries have in their areas.
Participation in the 30by30 Alliance
We contribute to the realization of Nature Positive as advocated by TNFD*1 through biodiversity initiatives, conduct our business activities based on our management philosophy, and promote the conservation of rare flora and fauna in limestone quarries related to biodiversity and the greening of quarrying areas and former sites.
From FY2024, we will participate in the "30 by 30 Alliance for Biodiversity" established by the Ministry of the Environment, aiming to be registered in the OECM*2 database.
30by30 refers to the target of preserving at least 30% of terrestrial and marine areas as healthy ecosystems by 2030. Achieving this target in each country was promised at the 2021 G7 Summit.
*1 Abbreviation for Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.
*2 Abbreviation for Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures. It refers to areas that are being conserved through private and other initiatives, and areas where management that is not aimed at conservation also results in contributing to the protection of the natural environment.
Biodiversity Protection
When environmental impact assessments determine that protection is required at a limestone quarry that we own, we protect rare species via measures such as installing protective equipment, transplanting and restricting development work.
Chichibu Taiheiyo Cement Corporation is actively involved in the conservation of rare plants. At Kanouyama Quarry located in Kanna Town, Tano District, Gunma Prefecture, 38 rare plants native to the quarry have been transplanted into a botanical garden set up in the mine with the cooperation of a local nature conservation group. At the same company’s Miwa Quarry, which is conducting quarrying on Mt. Buko, located in Chichibu City and Yokoze Town in Saitama Prefecture, we are preserving and increasing the population of 68 native plant species together with local experts and using the Central Research Laboratory’s biotechnology.
At the Fujiwara Quarry of Mie Taiheiyo Mining Company (formerly Ishizaki Co., Ltd.), we have been engaged in conservation activities since 2012, including transplantation and post-event surveys, in cooperation with experts, for the Kanamaru-Maimai, a Mie Prefecture-designated rare animal species that is found in the limestone area around Mt. Fujiwara.
Iwakinbai (Kanouyama Quarry)
Oobiranji (Kanouyama Quarry)
