The Foundation of Modern Civilization

Vietnam

Workers hoist coal from a river barge to the top of a cement-rock burning kiln. Cement-grade limestone is mixed with coal in tall, open cylindrical shafts inside the masonry tower, where combustion calcines the cement rock which is then drawn out of the arches at the bottom, and then ground to make cement powder. Cement manufacturing is a heat-intensive process and fuel burned in its production is a major contributor to global warming, representing 5 to 10 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Although much cement manufacturing takes place in modern plants, primitive rural production in small open-air kilns like these with no emission controls contributes to the problem.

Thank you so much to Lighthawk for flight support!