Process for production of raw mix cement slurries having reduced water content

A process for the production of an aqueous slurry of comminuted argillaceous limestone material, which upon burning produces cement, the process comprising admixing with the limestone material present in the slurry, an effective amount of a sodium naphthaleneformaldehyde sulfonate having a lowest elution volume of from about 61 to about 70% of a total elution volume by gel permeation chromatography to reduce the water content of the slurry and to conserve the amount of fuel required to evaporate water from the slurry during burning wherein the effective amount is from about 0.025 to about 0.1% solids by weight of sulfonate salt based on percent solids present in the slurry and is added to a slurry wherein the water content is from 20 to about 50% by weight based on the total slurry weight.