During the last decades, environmental issues have become increasingly relevant, a situation that we have seen reflected in the creation and modification of laws and regulations related to environmental protection and prevention in matters such as pollution.
In this scenario, in 2013 Supreme Decree N\u00b028 was enacted, a new Emission Regulation for Copper Smelters and Arsenic Emitting Sources, of the Ministry of Environment, which aims to reduce emissions of arsenic and sulphur, in addition to establishing continuous monitoring of sulphur dioxide in the main sources emitting these pollutants, thus protecting the health of people and the environment throughout the national territory. Under this new regulatory framework, Codelco begins a 5-year investment plan that will allow it to comply with the new emissions standard and reduce its annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) by almost 100,000 tons and arsenic by around 1,300 tons.
PA Engineering proposed the upgrading of the Flash Furnace to increase its capacity from 825 ktpa to 1,170 ktpa. This involved detail, counterpart and on-site engineering, support in procurement process and start-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result:
Five projects were executed at the Smelter in order to comply with regulations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n