“Gavigudet” visited ltd. “Rusalloys”

Today, on June 8^th the civil movement “Gavigudet” visited ltd. “Rusalloys”. The meeting was initiated by the plant representatives and various interesting issues have been discussed.

It was the second visit of our group to this plant. It should be noted, that during the first visit, the plant representatives promised the installation of the renewed filtration and continuous self-monitoring systems to be finished by the end of May, 2022 and would proceed complying with regulations. Accordingly, our first question referred to the violating of the installation deadline. As we were told, the Covid 19 pandemic, Russia-Ukrainian war and delayed shipping were the factors, hindering timely installation. However, as of today, filters are already at the spot, in total 1600 sleeve filters with 99.9% dust cleaning efficiency will be installed.

Concerning self-monitoring system, it is ready customized and the plant is expecting to receive it at the end of June. Whereas, it is planned to launch the system for test mode in the beginning of September.

Apart of new filtration system, the power of ventilating means is also being changed. Consequently, it is expected these changes to eradicate the problem of unorganized emissions.

Although, installation of filtration and self-monitoring systems are the number one priority for us, during the meeting we discussed raw materials and slag storaging problems as well. Raw material, stored in an open spaces, is additional dust emission source and watering the territory during hot, dry periods is, in fact, only real mean to prevent this type of pollution. What’s about slag, it is not being recycled, despite the fact, that this material is useful in construction.

Plant representatives are admitting that the production process is not arranged appropriately and needs to be fixed according to the regulations. That is why they invested Gel 3 million in addressing major problems.

As a reminder, ltd “Rusalloys” is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of ferroalloys in Georgia. The plant was built in 2005 and is equipped with the two open type electric-arc furnace with 9MVA power.

The plant is located in industrial zone of Rustavi city and is 800 meters away from the nearest settlement.

The main sources of the pollution of atmospheric air from the plant are: raw material dumping spots and ferroalloy melting furnaces.

The main pollutants of the atmospheric air are: inorganic dust, nitrogen dioxide, aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, manganese oxide, silicon dioxide.

Waste, produced during the industrial process are following: used oil from various machinery, cinder waste generated in the technological process, hydraulic oils, oil filters, absorbents, obsolete overalls, paper, glass, cardboard, wood packaging materials and plastic waste.

Ltd. “Rusalloys” has been an object of numerous scheduled or non-scheduled inspections during the years of 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022. These inspections revealed mainly same, unfixed violations over the years, that was about violation of the rules of operation of air traction devices, failing in accordance of real and factual situation with the data provided by the draft norms of maximum allowable emissions of harmful substances, the amount of unorganized sources of emissions and missing the mitigating measures to avoid pollution from these sources.