November 22, 2008

Pig iron plant in Argentina could cause environmental damage - Ms Alicia

BNamericas reported that the possible installation of a pig iron plant by Brazilian producer Vetorial Siderurgia in Argentina's El Chaco province could cause severe environmental damage.

Ms Alicia Terada a congresswoman from the province told BNamericas that "The plant would consume 180,000 tonne per year of charcoal from native forests. That would mean the destruction of about 400,000 trees each year.”

Ms Alicia said that "And in this case El Chaco province would contribute 100% of the charcoal resulting in major deforestation.”

She believes that the company's interest in the province stems from the amount of native forest available and the lack of regulation on behalf of forest management services and other entities.