Energy, emissions, dust and water management across our mining, rotary kiln and brick production operations in Konya, Turkey.
The calcination of magnesite on our rotary kiln is inherently energy-intensive. At temperatures above 1,700 °C, the thermal decomposition of MgCO₃ to MgO releases CO₂ as a process emission — separate from the combustion CO₂ of the fuel used to fire the kiln. Honesty about this is the starting point for meaningful improvement.
Our current environmental focus is on reducing specific energy consumption, managing dust and particulate emissions, and responsible water and waste management across all three operational areas: the mine, the kiln complex and the brick and monolithics plants.
The rotary kiln is our largest energy consumer. We monitor specific fuel consumption (GJ/t DBM) continuously and pursue operational optimisation — feed rate, kiln speed, flame profile — to reduce energy per tonne.
Both combustion CO₂ (fuel) and process CO₂ (MgCO₃ decomposition) are tracked. Our computerised kiln control reduces excess air and optimises combustion efficiency. We report emissions in line with Turkish environmental permit requirements.
Bag filter dust collection systems on the kiln exhaust, pressing hall and raw material handling areas. Fugitive dust suppression at the mine. Regular stack emission monitoring under permit conditions.
Water use in our operations is primarily for dust suppression and cooling. We monitor consumption and operate closed circuits where process design allows, minimising discharge to the local catchment.
Production rejects and off-specification material are classified under Turkish waste regulations. We maximise reuse of refractory scrap within the production process before disposal.
Magnesite extraction is managed with dust suppression, access road maintenance and progressive rehabilitation of worked areas in compliance with Turkish mining regulations and permits.
One of the most direct ways a refractory producer can improve environmental outcomes is to provide products that reduce hazardous waste at the customer's plant. KONREF's magnesia-spinel range is chrome-free as standard for cement and lime kiln applications.
