Malteria Pampa 3

completed

November 10, 1995Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name Argentina-Malteria Pampa SA III Region Latin America and CaribbeanSector Food and AgribusinessProject No. 0072221. The project involves the upgrading of Malteria Pampas’ existing malting plant near Buenos Aires from 160,000 tpa to 180,000 tpa, and will include elements such as silos and grain handling facilities and modifications to existing plant and machinery. Upgrading of the plant’s wastewater treatment facilities, which was to have been undertaken as part of an earlier expansion program, will be expedited and capacity will be further increased as part of the project. The project will also expand the company’s seed production and raw material storage and conditioning facilities, and will support research and development to improve barley strains in Argentina. Work will commence in January 1996 and be completed by December 1997.2. This is a category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor, and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:· liquid effluents;· air emissions;· solid wastes;· workplace air quality; and · general employee health and safety.The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the proposed project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.3. Malteria Pampa’s effluent treatment system has inadequate capacity for the current volumes of barley being processed. As a result, the biological oxygen demand (BOD5) of the effluent at the point of discharge to a drainage canal is currently 300 mg/l, which exceeds the World Bank guideline of 50 mg/l.. The company has already begun construction of plant upgrades to bring effluent BOD5 to an interim level of 150 mg/l by March 1996. The company has submitted a Corrective Action Plan (CAP), satisfactory to IFC, as part of its commitment to further upgrade the plant to meet World Bank guidelines by November 1996.4. Dust from grain handling is the primary air emission from the plant, as regards both health of employees and explosion. Malteria Pampa has implemented a system of dust extractors and filters to minimize dust in the plant. Grain discharge points, elevators and cleaning screens are fitted with forced air aspirators connected to large filters. Dust collected by the filter system, approximately 2,600 tons per year, is sold for animal feed. Employees wear dust masks and other personal protective equipment when working in grain handling areas.5. The primary solid waste produced by the plant is domestic trash, which is disposed of in accordance with local regulations and practice. Agrochemicals used at the plant, approximately 2,000 liters per year, are fully consumed by plant processes.6. Malteria Pampas contracts plant security and employee medical programs to a specialty company. Training and drills are provided specific to the laboratory, storage and plant areas and for general employee health and safety.7. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that, with the implementation of the CAP for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, the proposed project is being designed to meet Government of Argentina requirements, and World Bank policies, and environmental, health and safety guidelines.8. IFC will monitor Malteria Pampa’s progress in implementing the CAP for wastewater treatment upgrades as well as ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.L:\WPEU\KITT\MALTERIA.ERSNovember 10, 1995 3:35 PM