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Environmental Guidelines - Table 3

IRON AND STEEL MILLS

Steel is manufactured by the chemical reduction of iron ore, using an integrated steel manufacturing process or a direct reduction process. In the conventional integrated steel manufacturing process, the iron from the blast furnace is converted to steel in a basic oxygen furnace (BOF). Steel can also be produced in an electric arc furnace (EAF) from scrap steel and, in some cases, from direct reduced iron. Further processing of steel can include continuous casting, hot rolling and forming, cold rolling wire drawing, coating and pickling. Iron and steel operations require extensive air emissions and wastewater discharge controls to reduce particulates, toxic fumes and metal-laden discharges. 

The international guidelines for pulp and paper mills presented in this Table are condensed from World Bank Group guidelines set forth in the Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (PPAH) and applicable World Bank Group Operational Policies. New iron and steel mills, large expansions to existing mills, or projects located in or impacting a sensitive area (Annex D) require submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (Annex E) describing the project's environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures. 

Further information relative to the guidelines presented in this Table and a description of measures to control emissions and effluents associated with iron and steel mills are contained in the PPAH of the World Bank Group (1998). The PPAH and the World Bank Group Operational Policies referenced in this Table can be found at: http://www.ifc.org/enviro/EnvSoc/pollution/guidelines.htm. In the case of ambiguity between information in this Table and relevant sections of the PPAH and referenced Operational Policies of the World Bank Group, the guidelines presented within the PPAH and referenced Operational Policies, in effects as of December 18, 2003, will prevail for purposes of Ex-Im Bank's review and its determination of a project's compliance with the applicable international guidelines of the World Bank Group. 

AIR QUALITY
STACK EMISSIONS - Concentrations of contaminants emitted from the stacks of significant sources (equivalent heat input > 10 million BTU/hr.) including boilers, furnaces, incinerators, and electrical generating equipment should not be diluted nor exceed the following limits:

Note: Nm³ refers to a cubic meter at 00C and pressure of 1,013 milibars under dry conditions.

WATER QUALITY
LIQUID EFFLUENTS - Process wastewater, domestic sewage and contaminated stormwater should be treated to meet the following limits before being discharged to surface waters. Reduction in the generation of effluents through process modifications and recycling is recommended.

A mixing  zone is a limited area or volume of water where initial dilution of a discharge takes place and beyond which applicable water quality criteria should not be exceeded.  In the case of a thermal plume, a mixing zone is generally defined as occupying no more than 25% of the cross section of a waterway channel (river, stream, etc.) so as to allow passage of aquatic life and permit other uses of the water. In the case of an open body of water, the mixing zone will be defined on a case-by-case basis taking into account factors such as the existing ecology and in particular, the presence of coral reefs. Where zone is not defined, 100m from the point of discharge will be used.

The majority of wastewater generated can be recycled.  Discharges of waste-waters should in all cases be less than 5 m³/mt of steel and preferably less than 1 m3/mt. Liquid effluent discharges to a public or private central wastewater treatment system may be subject to pre-treatment requirements.  In these cases, information should be provided confirming that the treatment system has the capacity to adequately treat the project's liquid effluents.

For projects potentially causing erosion and sedimentation impacts in receiving waters, a plan should be submitted incorporating measures to mitigate the impacts on water quality and aquatic life.

SOLID AND LIQUID NON-HAZARDOUS WASTES
Applicants should provide a waste management plan that incorporates environmentally safe waste management and disposal practices.  Recycling or reclamation of materials is encouraged where possible.  If recycling or reclamation is not practical, wastes must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner that incorporates best management practices, as well as in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations.

HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC MATERIALS AND WASTES
Projects that include the handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials must include a management plan for those materials which contain the following elements:

• Existing equipment and systems utilizing PCBs or CFCs should be phased-out and disposed of in a manner consistent with the requirements of the host country and in accord with the recommendations set forth in the PPAH ("Industrial Management of Hazardous Wastes").
• Storage and liquid impoundment areas for fuels, raw and in-process materials, solvents, wastes, and finished products should be designed with secondary containment or liners, where required, to prevent the contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waters.
• Maintenance of all hazardous materials in clearly labeled containers or vessels
• Storage and handling of all hazardous materials appropriate to their hazard characteristics: reactivity; flammability; corrosivity; radioactivity; and toxicity
• Fire prevention systems and secondary containment for storage facilities, where required, to prevent fires or the release of hazardous materials to the environment
• Hazardous wastes must be treated and disposed of in a manner to prevent the contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waters and to avoid the release of toxic substances in the environment.
• A suitable remediation plan will be developed to address the clean-up, as necessary, of contamination on soil and water as appropriate, for the specific site conditions.

NOISE
The Project boundary or fenceline is the commonly accepted location for evaluating Project related noise impacts, although the outer edge of a buffer zone or other uninhabited area may be appropriate in selected cases.

AMBIENT NOISE:  Steady-state noise levels from the Project's operation, measured at noise receptors located outside the Project property boundary, should not exceed the following limits:

RESETTLEMENT, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, CULTURAL PROPERTY  (When Applicable)
Project site selection should take into account and minimize to the extent practical adverse impacts to indigenous and other vulnerable people within the project's area of influence resulting from involuntary resettlement, land use changes, population influx due to increased access caused by the project, or effects on culturally significant artifacts or sites.

Where large resettlement or relocation becomes unavoidable, a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) must be developed and implemented in compliance with host-country laws and international guidelines such as those of the World Bank Group.  (See Operational Safeguard Policies of the World Bank: OP 4.20, Indigenous Peoples; OP 4.11, Safeguarding Cultural Property and OD 4.30, Involuntary Resettlement).   

NATURAL HABITATS (When Applicable)
Project site selection should take into account and minimize to the extent practical impacts to the ecology within the project's area of influence.  Care to avoid/minimize impacts should be demonstrated, particularly in the case of important and critical natural habitats as defined in World Bank Operational Policy 4.04; Natural Habitats.  For projects situated in sensitive locations, the EIA should address the risk of direct and indirect impacts on the environment of the project's area of influence as well as measures to mitigate these impacts.  Guidance in protecting natural habitats is provided in OP 4.04.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING (When Applicable)
For Category A projects, an environmental management and monitoring plan (EMP), as described in Annex E, should be provided that sets forth:  (a) the measures to be taken during the implementation and operation of a project to eliminate or offset adverse environmental impacts, or reduce them to acceptable levels;  (b) the actions needed to implement these measures; and (c) actions required to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures employed.  Specific requirements of the EMP will be made on a case-by-case basis according to the project's environmental sensitivities.  The World Bank Operational Policy 4.01 provides guidance with respect to the preparation of an EMP.