After Threats From Mining Companies, Peru Relaxes Air Quality Rules In 3 Of Most Polluted Cities

[hatrack]

Peru is temporarily exempting three of its most polluted cities from stronger air quality standards after two major metals processors said the tighter limits were unworkable, with one of them threatening to shut down the country's main copper refinery.

The environment ministry told Reuters on Thursday that it would not apply 2014 limits on sulfur dioxide emissions in the coastal city Ilo - home to the Southern Copper refinery, the country' biggest - or in the highland town La Oroya, where Doe Run Peru has a poly-metallic smelter.

Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city and a hub for used-card sales, will also be given more time to comply, said Juan Narciso, the ministry's director of environmental quality.

Narciso said the three cities have the highest sulfur dioxide levels in the country and must work toward meeting the new limit, which a 2008 law said should be phased in by 2014. No new deadline for compliance has been given yet.

EDIT

http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/content/en/mineweb-whats-new?oid=197641&sn=Detail

[Laelth]

1. Sad. Humala continues to be a major disappointment. n/t

-Laelth