Doe Run Peru Seeks Extension On Environmental Operating Agreement
Company Expects to Complete Eight of Nine Projects On Schedule.
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) December 21, 2005 -- The Doe Run Company today announced that, as part of a program to prioritize health issues in the community around its La Oroya metallurgical complex, its subsidiary Doe Run Peru today formally submitted a request to extend its environmental operating agreement with the Peruvian government.
The submission of the request is the culmination of a year-long process of data gathering, independent research, public hearings and discussion on the company’s proposal to postpone one of nine projects so as to better address issues associated with lead in the community.
“Going through such a long and rigorous process has enabled us to develop a thorough plan that addresses the health priorities of the population,” said Bruce Neil, president of Doe Run Peru. “We greatly appreciate the input that we received along the way from independent scientists, local community groups and individuals. We look forward to continuing to work to improve the health and environment in the La Oroya community.”
The request seeks to extend until 2010 the deadline for completion of one remaining project to control sulfuric gas emissions. The other eight projects laid out in the existing environmental operating agreement -- known by its Spanish acronym, PAMA -- are expected to be completed on time by the end of 2006, along with three new projects to control fugitive heavy metals emissions. By the end of 2006, the facility is expected to be in compliance with all environmental requirements for solid wastes, liquid effluents and air emissions (with the exception of sulfur dioxide).
The company’s plans call for a total of nearly $200 million in investments in environmental projects through 2010, significantly greater than the $107 million required in the original PAMA.
A decision on the application is expected in early 2006.
Since purchasing the facility from the Peruvian government in 1997, Doe Run Peru has spent more than $140 million to modernize the 80-year-old facility and on projects to improve conditions in the community, including schools, community showers, a soup kitchen to feed needy children and planting of some 100,000 trees. The work has been described by Greenpeace co-founder Dr. Patrick Moore as an example of “responsible environmentalism.”
In addition, the company has made steady progress at reducing emissions and improving health conditions. Lead emissions are down more than 27 percent, average blood lead levels of exposed Doe Run Peru workers are down by more than 30 percent, and the Peruvian Ministry of Health has also reported improvements among children in the community.
More information on Doe Run Peru’s environmental progress can be found at: http://www.doerun.com/uploadfile/peruprogressupdate-env.pdf , and on its community programs at http://www.doerun.com/uploadfile/PeruProgressupdate-social.pdf.
Based in St. Louis, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral production, metals fabrication, recycling and reclamation. The company and its subsidiaries deliver products and services needed to provide power, protection and convenience through premium products and associated metals including lead, zinc, copper, gold and silver. As the operator of one of the world’s only multi-metal facilities and the Americas’ largest integrated lead producer, Doe Run employs more than 4,000 people, with U.S. operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona, and Peruvian operations in Cobriza and La Oroya. Committed to sustainable development, The Doe Run Company has helped bring electrical power, business training, educational opportunities and improved telecommunications to rural communities in Peru and the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.doerun.com.
Contact:
Tammy Stankey, (314) 469-3500
Kristin Saunders, (314) 469-3500
http://www.doerun.com
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