Capital Steel Plant to Remove Main Source of PollutionBy the end of 2002, Shougang (Capital Steel Plant) Group will cut its annual steel output to six million tons from current eight million tons. Meanwhile, the suited sintering mines and five coke furnaces will be removed too, according to Luo Bingsheng, CEO of Shougang Group on September 26.Luo also pointed out that the sintering mine is Shougang's most pollution source. As reported, next year, Shougang Shijingshan Factory's 6 million-ton sintering mine, Shougang's first pollution source, will be completely moved to Qian'an of Hebei Province; the suited material field. Shougang's second pollution source, will be sealed up and then built into a metallurgical museum or a tropic arboretum; and the five coke ovens, will also be moved to Hebei's Qian'an in five years. According to Shougang's five-year plan, Shougang's iron ore base Qian'an, with over 20,000 employees, will be built into Shougang's base for raw materials. By 2005, Shougang's steel industry will accomplish a complete nonpolluting production. At the appointed time, Shougang's environmental quality indexes will reach state's 2nd-level standards, Luo said. On the basis of having completed 189 environmental protection items with RMB 906mn yuan in past five years, Shougang will invest RMB 1.25bn yuan more in environmental protection in the 18 aspects. By 2005, Shougang will reduce 85.5 percent of its current smog let and 89.3 percent of current sulfur dioxide let as well as increase its green coverage to 38 percent from current 33 percent. By PD Online staff member Huang Ying |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |