Cement Plant in Ethiopia

Context

The EIB is funding the construction and operation of a full cement production line in Oromiya, north of Addis Ababa, including the development of a limestone/clay quarry for the necessary raw materials, a road network (e.g. asphalted road access from Derba town and a service road between the plant and the quarry), an electricity line and infrastructure for the workforce (school, health centre, etc.). The plant is designed for a future capacity doubling with an equivalent, adjacent production line. Construction started in 2008. The plant will address a growing demand for cement in Ethiopia and should have a positive impact on economic activity in the area through creation of direct employment, underpinning the livelihood of more than 2,000 inhabitants in the local community.

EO Contribution

The purpose of the EOEuropa project is to demonstrate the utility of EO-derived information products in monitoring the construction progress and its impact on the natural environment. The EO data and the derived information are also helpful in preparing the obligatory monitoring field trips. The delivered products comprise orthorectified satellite maps of the site for two points in time (2007 and 2011), as well as a change detection analysis, highlighting progress in construction work (e.g. plant extent, quarry area, access roads) and development of settlements (e.g. buildings).