A spokesman for Lafarge, designers of the course, said the idea behind the course was to let environmental inspectors and advisors "get to grips" with the technologies behind cement making and the ways the company was developing increased sustainability.
People from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency traveled south to the Derbyshire cement works to join the Environment Agency and Mineral Products Association and be shown aspects of cement-making from quarrying to milling, blending and clinker chemistry.
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They used a training simulator to learn about operating a cement kiln and were given a tour of the works and quarry.
Dave Shenton of Lafarge said he had masterminded the course because it was important for inspectors and advisors to understand the "complex processes" involved.
He said: "The changing structure of the regulatory bodies into a more specific sector approach means new inspectors and advisors from the UK's regulatory bodies need to understand the complex processes involved in cement manufacturing in order to achieve better and more efficient regulation across the industry. We hope that the interactive course is a more enjoyable way of learning about cement making and the innovations we’ve introduced to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, and also the high technical skills and passion our employees have in their work."
(NE)
