The sponsor has presented plans to address these impacts to ensure that the proposed project will, upon implementation of the specific measures agreed, comply with applicable host country laws and regulations and World Bank/IFC requirements. The information about how these potential impacts will be addressed by the sponsor/project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
1. The construction of the plant will be undertaken within the boundaries of the existing site and will not result in the loss of sensitive habitats or archaeological sites. The facility was previously developed by Elevatormelmash, a metal working company. Elevatormelmash had begun developing the site just prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union but then construction activities stopped about 10 years ago, leaving the facility unfinished. The metal working company never operated on that site.
2. Most of the raw materials will come from the surrounding area. Dry sand ready to use will be transported by railway from local suppliers located within 180 km of the plant. Also transported by rail in 1 ton bags, soda will be supplied from the Stermlitamak factory located 1,400 km away in the Ural region. Dolomite will be supplied from the Magnezit enterprise situated 130 km away using railway. Solid waste from the regenerator will be disposed of in a landfill. All raw material storage will be in silos or in bags in closed warehouse. Adequate prevention and mitigation measures will be taken to limit particulate emission during unloading from transport and batch loading.
3. The glass melting furnace will be designed as end-fired regenerative furnace and will be located in the existing building of the facility. Natural gas will be used in the furnace. Therefore, dust and SO2 emissions are anticipated to be low. Estimated emissions based on measurement results of similar furnaces will meet World Bank group guidelines for emissions of particulate matter, SO2 and NOX. In order to compensate for probable variations in NOx levels primary measures will be taken by applying combustion control techniques. A new aspiration system in the batch house will be installed, consisting of a dry aspiration system in order to reduce work place emissions to an acceptable level.
4. Electricity will come from the grid. There is a natural gas line serving the facility. Technical and potable water will be obtained from a well to be drilled, with potable water being treated by filtration and chlorination. Cooling water in the furnace will be in closed systems, resulting in no discharge at normal conditions. Make up water after evaporation of process water at a cooling unit will come from the wells. If any accidental overflow occurs from the cullet quenching circulation system, the wastewater will be subjected to oil and solids separation before being discharged to the sewer. Sanitary waste water (20 m3/day) will be treated in a new biological treatment system on site. Sludge will be collected at the existing facilities and dispose of in a landfill. Elevated levels of suspended matter and oils could sometimes take place in the in process water discharge will be decanted in settling ponds.
5. The plant will implement a comprehensive management program allowing operators to control and monitor non-hazardous and hazardous solid waste in accordance with local requirements and World Bank Group guidelines. No wastes are allowed to be disposed of onsite, and available historical information indicates that there have been no landfills on the site. Non hazardous solid waste (25 tons/year of domestic refuse and 50 tons/year treatment plant sludge) will be disposed off to the local landfill operated by the company under local permit. Hazardous wastes are sent to a special landfill operated by the local authorities. Diesel oils will be used as the substituting fuel in case of lack of natural gas. Other used mineral oils and lubricants (0.1 tons/year) will be sold back to suppliers for re-use. Various scrap materials (20 tons/year) will be sold.
6. Since no excessive noise will be generated at the vicinity of the facility, no noise abatement measures will be required. The proposed audit will carry out a PCB and an asbestos survey.
7. Land contamination from past activities at the plant site has not been investigated; however, solid wastes have been regularly disposed of offsite. Sisecam has indicated that there have been no major incidents or accidents regarding hazardous substances. If past operations were found to have spills of oils from various sources, including plant processes, out of service transformers (oil filled equipment does not contain PCBs), vehicles and tanks, Ruscam has agreed to implement, during the initial plant modernization, remediation of oil contaminated soil to be identified during the proposed audit, and to install preventative measures such as curbing, oil/water separators and spill containment.
8. In order to prevent and extinguish fires, a fixed fire fighting system together with portable fire extinguishers will be provided. The fixed system will consist of an adequate number of fire hydrants placed throughout the plant and metal hose boxes that will be available in and around specified places. The portable fire extinguishers will be located nearby certain locations, such as fuel tanks. Company personnel will be trained in fire prevention and in use of fire extinguishers. Training will be provided to a specific group of employees on fire risks, fire fighting systems and response actions.
9. Regarding occupational health and safety issues the following prevention and mitigation measures will be taken for workplace air quality, noise and other issues. All workers will be provided with personal protective equipment. Indoor dust will be prevented by means of adequate ventilation systems coupled with dedusting equipment. The maximum indoor dust concentration will be maintained at 2 mg/m3. Respirators will be supplied to the personnel during maintenance and repair work. Indoor noise levels will be periodically measured throughout the plant and ears plugs and/or muffs will be provided accordingly. In addition, sound isolated rooms will be installed in the required places, such as the compressor unit. In the high temperature areas, especially nearby the glass melting furnace, personnel will work for short duration and cooling air will be provided. Appropriate safety measures will be applied for electrical systems and mechanical equipment, thus reducing risks for workers. Stringent local regulations will be enforced including periodic health examinations and on site medical personnel.
10. After start up of the plant, an application for the environment passport (environmental operating permit) will be submitted to the Vladimir region authorities. The passport will include a brief description of the environmental conditions and will identify areas of concern, including any required mitigation and remediation measures needed per local requirements. The plant will prepare long term and short term environmental protection plans, to be approved by the management of the plant and by the appropriate inspection bodies. A quality engineer will manage Ruscam’s environmental issues as part of the quality assurance systems. Adequate procedures will be implemented at the time of plant modernization. The Environment Group of Sisecam will provide technical assistance and consultant support to Ruscam on an as needed basis.
