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Doe Run Peru Reports Additional Air Quality Improvements in La Oroya

  • Airborne arsenic level reduced by 72 percent compared to 2002 levels

  • Cadmium level reduced by 81 percent over the same period

Lima, March 3, 2008 – Doe Run Peru reported that air quality monitoring at La Oroya continues to show substantial increases after 11 years of operations, and completion of a variety of environmental projects remains on schedule.

The measurements taken from the Sindicato monitoring station show reductions in airborne arsenic and cadmium levels of 72 and 81 percent, respectively, as compared to readings taken in 2002.

2002

2007

Reduction

Environmental target

Arsenic

3.8 ug/m3

1.078 ug/m3

- 72 percent

2.0 ug/m3

Cadmium

0.15 ug/m3

0.029 ug/m3

- 81 percent

0.04 ug/m3










As the chart above shows, these improvements are significant and above and beyond the environmental targets provided for in the company’s environmental operating agreement (known by its Spanish acronym, PAMA) with the Peruvian government.

José Mogrovejo, Doe Run Peru’s vice president for environmental affairs, pointed out that this noteworthy progress is in addition to the reductions achieved in airborne lead levels in La Oroya, which exceed 61 percent. These improvements demonstrate asustained pattern of progressive developments in bettering the environment in La Oroya.

“Doe Run Peru has committed all the financial, technical and human resources required for due compliance with our environmental commitments, and it is thanks to these efforts that we expect to continue achieving ongoing air quality improvements in La Oroya,” Mogrovejo said.

To date the company has invested $157 million in carrying out the PAMA, a figure much higher than the $107.5 million initially committed. Once the construction of the PAMA projects has been completed, the company’s investment in environmental projects will have exceeded $244 million, more than twice the original investment commitment.

About Doe Run Peru
Doe Run Peru is a mining and metals company operating in Peru's central Andes. The company has run the La Oroya metallurgical complex since 1997 and the Cobriza mine in Huancavelica since 1998, producing high quality refined metals while at the same time working to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

Contact:
Víctor Andrés Belaunde
Phone (511)215-1200 ext. 1285
vbelaunde@pe.doerun.com
fhuapayar@pe.doerun.com