Caring for the environment
Since 1999, very important steps have been taken for cleaning the area and minimizing the environmental hazards associated with the presence of the historical slag landfill (the so-called “halda”).The industrial deposits have been withdrawn from the course of the Visa River.
As of 2006, the activity of S.C. SOMETRA S.A. is regulated by the Integrated Environmental Authorization no. SB 31/12.06.2006, reviewed in 06.04.2011, with a Plan of Action which includes all necessary works regarding environmental protection and have been fully accomplished with an investment in environment worth $6,000,000 obtaining the foreseen results.
From 2008 to 2009, two compliant deposits for non-hazardous wastes (modules 1 and 2 – ecological deposits) were constructed in which 100.000 t of wastes have been deposited.
From 2010 to 2017, all the waste in the landfill was sorted, while 10% of it was eliminated. This phase was essential for determining the future investments and it is just the beginning of the 100% landfill elimination.
Starting from 2009, the state of the environment in the Copsa Mica city significantly improved, without exceeding the admissible limits for the Public Health for the following indicators: dust, sulfur dioxide and heavy metals (zinc, cadmium, lead). This is confirmed by the results of the on-line system of automatic Monitoring of the environment from the city (SB-3 station) and by the yearly reports of the Sibiu County Environment Protection Agency. Environment in Copsa Mica is much better than that in many other locations from Romania. The data from this station which is included in the National Environment Monitoring System can be seen on-line here.
Environment as a top responsibility
Currently, Sometra’s activity is focused on the recycling of valuable components from the wastes of industrial dump which depends on obtaining an Environmental Permit for the new Waelz kilns of bigger capacity to process the wastes with zinc and lead content from the industrial site. This project ensures a decrease of the industrial waste impact over the environment, and at the same time leads to saving of natural raw material. Also, the project ensures the recycling of wastes in non-ferrous metallurgy, without generating other types of wastes.
Thus, Sometra will become the only industrial company in Romania to recover pollution, produce materials and eliminate the slag, employing a technology unique for Romania, and generating exports, taxes for the local and central budgets, jobs – directly and indirectly.
The plan is that once the local slag landfill is eliminated, which will be in approximately 10 years, Sometra turns into a provider of services of processing other industrial facilities’ slag and waste. All this will happen strictly respecting the modern standards and legal limits of pollution.
Safety is at the center of our activity
In the company’s daily operation there is a long-standing commitment to the use of management practices which aim to identify, recognize and eliminate parameters and conditions which may lead to undesirable events (accidents and occupational diseases). Also, systematic efforts are undertaken to develop and adopt a culture which focuses on the prevention of accidents and diseases at the work premises. The elimination of accidents at the workplace, especially in production plants, is a key concern. The company seeks to maintain the high safety indicators in its facilities, by implementing action plans and specific programmes to protect employees and improve their quality of life:- Strict compliance with the requirements of the law and with the applicable standards and internal guidelines.
- Continuous identification and assessment of hazards and adoption of the measures needed to address them.
- Attendance by staff of training programmes on Occupational Health & Safety.
