Post by jeffolie on Mar 31, 2011 0:10:10 GMT -6
world's largest copper producer appealing Chile's court ordered halt and that copper exports would not be affected...nearly 11 percent of world production
Silver is a biproduct of copper production. If 11% of copper production is halted, silver prices will rise from the silver supply decline.
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Court orders halt at Chile's main copper smelter
SANTIAGO (AFP) – A Chilean court ordered the world's biggest copper producer to shut down operations at its main smelter in Chile because of pollution.
The state-owned mining company CODELCO said on Wednesday it would appeal the decision and that copper exports would not be affected.
The court ruled that pollution from CODELCO's Ventanas smelter, located some 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Santiago, was adversely affecting local residents, including children at a nearby elementary school.
A suit was filed by former workers representing 135 former employees who died of cancer, and an environmental group representing some 40 people who fell sick last week.
"We are very happy because this is the first time that the courts accept a case like this," said Alejandro Navarro, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
The La Greda elementary school was forced to close last week after a cloud of toxic emissions from the Ventanas smelter engulfed the school, sickening children and workers.
CODELCO said it was a one-time accident that was quickly corrected, and insisted measures have been taken to ensure "it can operate again safely with no problems for the population."
A spokesman for CODELCO, which called the court ruling unjustified, said the company had only begun shutting down operations at the smelter and that it was a "slow process."
The Chilean court must now address the substance of the claims, which call for increased environmental protection measures.
CODELCO is the world's largest copper producer. In 2010 it produced 1.6 million tons of copper, nearly 11 percent of world production.
news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110331/bs_afp/chilemininghealth_20110331004221
Silver is a biproduct of copper production. If 11% of copper production is halted, silver prices will rise from the silver supply decline.
=========================================
Court orders halt at Chile's main copper smelter
SANTIAGO (AFP) – A Chilean court ordered the world's biggest copper producer to shut down operations at its main smelter in Chile because of pollution.
The state-owned mining company CODELCO said on Wednesday it would appeal the decision and that copper exports would not be affected.
The court ruled that pollution from CODELCO's Ventanas smelter, located some 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Santiago, was adversely affecting local residents, including children at a nearby elementary school.
A suit was filed by former workers representing 135 former employees who died of cancer, and an environmental group representing some 40 people who fell sick last week.
"We are very happy because this is the first time that the courts accept a case like this," said Alejandro Navarro, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
The La Greda elementary school was forced to close last week after a cloud of toxic emissions from the Ventanas smelter engulfed the school, sickening children and workers.
CODELCO said it was a one-time accident that was quickly corrected, and insisted measures have been taken to ensure "it can operate again safely with no problems for the population."
A spokesman for CODELCO, which called the court ruling unjustified, said the company had only begun shutting down operations at the smelter and that it was a "slow process."
The Chilean court must now address the substance of the claims, which call for increased environmental protection measures.
CODELCO is the world's largest copper producer. In 2010 it produced 1.6 million tons of copper, nearly 11 percent of world production.
news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110331/bs_afp/chilemininghealth_20110331004221