Environmetal management at Caletones smelter Codelco - Chile, division El Teniente

摘要

During recent years, environmental management at the Caletones Smelter has been characterized by the continuous improvement and fulfillment of environmental regulations duly established by the National Environmental Committee (CONAMA), a national institution that regulates environmental provisions. Among the requirements: 1. Installation of an air quality monitoring network (1990) 2. Declaration of Saturated Zone (1994) 3. Decontamination Plan for SO_2 and particulate material (1998) 4. Regulation of arsenic emission to air (2000) The fulfillment of goals associated to the gaseous emissions reduction has required investments of a total amount already over kUS$ 270,000. Major investments include the start up of two Sulphuric Acid Plants, 1,500 tpd (1999) and 2,350 tpd (2001) and the capture of Peirce-Smith Converter Gases (2002-2003). Division El Teniente implemented an Environmental Management System, has environmental policies and on May 2003, was recommended for ISO 14,001 certification. Consistent with these guidelines, Caletones environmental performance achieved important advances by investing in a sanitary landfill for the arsenical wastes disposal (1999), and a handling center for the disposal of solid wastes (2002). Among the new projects currently being developed are: 1. New place for process slag disposal 2. Liquid effluent reuse.