Ecological investment in Kovohuty almost finished

The joint stock company Kovohuty Krompachy should begin to use a new way of fusing copper concentrates from the start of next year. It will contribute to the improvement in the environment in that area. Until now the factory has been releasing 12.5 thousand tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the air every year. After the implementation of the new technology, this pollution will not exceed 800 tonnes. "It is less than if the whole town of Krompachy was heated by coal," explained the head of the investment department, Vladimír Taška. The construction of the new ecological project started last May. Investment of 660 million Sk ($18.86 million) is provided by the company itself. According to estimates, the money invested should start to produce returns after some six years. "We are trying to keep the finish date for 31 December 1998," said Taška. On January 1, 1999 new emission limits will come into force. The new fusing technology will also bring economic advantages to the company.