03-05-07

U.S. Professionals and La Oroya Government Criticize Doe Run Peru’s Claims of Improvement

May 3, 2007. Peruvian and international experts are criticizing the DRP announcement that claims emissions have decreased from the central smokestack of the Metallurgical Complex of La Oroya.

Environmental experts have proposed many possible steps to address the environmental emergency of the Metallurgical capital of Peru.

Dr. Mark Chernaik, executive director of Enviromental Law World Wide Alliance, indicated that for DRP to meet international emissions standards for Sulfur Dioxide, emissions would need to be reduced to 90% of DRP 1997 levels. The recent announcement indicates a reduction of a mere 22.5%. DRP will not be able to meet international standards until it increases the number of sulfuric acid treatment plants from one to three plants.

Thomas Kruzen, member of Sierra Club and Stream Keepers Alliance of Missouri, indicates that independent studies are essential to monitor air quality. Kruzen noted that the DRP announcement only cited a decrease in smokestack emissions and did not test general air quality of La Oroya. Kruzen draws from his experience monitoring Doe Run operations in Missouri. Kruzen also criticizes lead level tests (showing lead absorbed in the bloodstream in last 28 days). Blood-lead levels exclude the lead that is absorbed by major organs and bones for over a period of 20 years. He reiterated that DRP should satisfy U.S. standards for production. DRP is a U.S. based company working in a country where environmental standards are much lower, often resulting in contamination and serious health concerns. Kruzen said, “The bottom line is, does DRP believe that Peruvian children are not as valuable as U.S. children?”.

On the national level, María Chappuis, former director of Mines in Peru, indicated that DRP should adhere to the Peruvian Congressional Resolution 257-2006 MEM/DM. The resolution extended the deadline for DRP’s compliance with Peruvian Environmental standards an additional three years. Under this resolution, the Peruvian government requires DRP to regularly publish emission levels and other environmental tests on the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines website.

César Rodríguez, Mayor of La Oroya, has commented that he could not confirm or deny DRP claims, since he has not received an official report. “In June, we will see how the studies turn out. The studies conducted in January of this year should have been released in February at the latest. We have sent a letter requesting the information from the Ministry of Energy and Mines. We have not received a response,” indicated Mayor Gutiérrez, while not failing to acknowledge that improvements had been made. Other authorities (Ministry of Health, National Environmental Agency (CONAM), Supervisor for Energy and Mines Investment) were not able to comment on DRP’s study since that have not been privy to updated information.

Agustin Mamani, former technician of DRP said, “The Company continues to work with the same equipment, machinery, materials, and they say that contamination has been reduced. Until there is confirmation of a state authority on that information, I cannot confirm the accuracy of that information.” Rosa Amaro, president of the Health Movement for La Oroya, rejected Doe Run’s assertions. “Contamination is worse these days”, Amaro said.

Movement for Health of La Oroya (MOSAO) and Technical Roundtable
Tels. / (51-1) 333-0152 /