2007-06-11 23:03:58 -
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Religious leaders Monday implored one of the world's largest lead producers to reduce emissions from a metallurgical plant in central Peru, where studies have detected elevated levels of heavy metals in some people.
An interfaith, U.S.-Peruvian delegation is on a three-city tour asking St. Louis-based The Doe Run Co. and its Peru
affiliate to use part of their profits to improve the health of residents in La Oroya, 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of the capital of Lima, where the smelter is located.
The smelter processes copper, lead, zinc and smaller amounts of gold, silver and other metals.
Studies conducted by the company, Peru and the Saint Louis University School of Public Health, have detected elevated levels of heavy metals in townspeople, particularly children.
«It is true they have invested in programs of environmental remediation,» said Monsignor Pedro Barreto, the Jesuit archbishop of Huancayo, Peru, who is leading the delegation. «But they have not eradicated problems that are causing the environmental catastrophe. We question the ethics and morals of Doe Run.
The group met with Doe Run Peru officials in Lima on Friday and have tried unsuccessfully to meet with Ira Rennert, owner of parent company, Renco Group.
Delegation members said they learned for the first time last week that Doe Run St. Louis no longer owns the plant. They are still not sure who does.
«It's a corporation without a home,» said Elias Szczytnicki, with the Israeli Union of Peru. «We're scandalized by companies owned in space.
A statement Doe Run Co. released Monday said that in February, Doe Run Peru ceased being its subsidiary. The move enhanced each company's ability to access the credit markets. As a result, Doe Run Co. was able to refinance on favorable terms and retire its debt to bondholders.
A company spokeswoman said Doe Run Co. and Doe Run Peru are sister companies of the same parent, Renco Group.
Last year, the Peruvian government granted Doe Run Co. an extension until 2009 to complete three sulfuric acid treatment plants to lower toxic emissions. In exchange, the company pledged to provide permanent health care for children and pregnant women in La Oroya and clean up homes, streets and «critical areas» around the plant.
Doe Run agreed to improve the facility when it purchased the 85-year-old smelter in 1997 from state-owned Centromin. But in December 2004, the company threatened to close the plant, La Oroya's main employer, if the government did not grant an extension.
Victor Belaunde, manager of institutional affairs for Doe Run Peru, said Monday all of its profits are reinvested in the company, with most going to environmental upgrades.
He said the company has spent $107 million (¤80 million) already, and by 2009, will have spent $240 million (¤180 million) in upgrades.
He said that in February, for the first time in the history of the plant, its lead, arsenic, and particulate matter were within legal limits.
«We're advancing as fast as possible,» he said. «It's not a matter of money invested or will. It's complex from an engineering standpoint. It takes time.
On the Net
The Doe Run Company:
www.doerun.com 
