8.3 Environmental Impact Mitigation
Primary Environmental Impact of Operations
[G4-DMA] [G4-EN27] In 2013 we took on a significant commitment to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. As such, in 2016 we continued to focus on implementing our “Environmental Investment Plan.” This plan consists of carrying out projects that enable us to meet environmental targets in several areas.
The plan entails the following aspects: noise and vibration, non-hazardous industrial waste, hazardous industrial waste, liquid industrial waste, and hazardous chemical substances. These aspect must be managed throughout the entire network, including workshops, train depots and technical facilities.
Metro’s network runs throughout the entire city and its infrastructure is involved and interacts with many residential, commercial and industrial neighborhoods. In certain areas the latter causes noise and vibrations resulting from our normal activities, such as train maintenance and parking. In order to address this issue, Metro has an annual portfolio of projects that attained various degrees of progress in 2016 given their complexity:
Noise and Vibration Study Stage
- Vibro-Acoustic Mitigation Quilín Train Depot
- Vibro-Acoustic Mitigation Puente Alto Workshops
- Acoustic Mitigation San Eugenio Workshops
- Soundproofing track machinery.
- Track Machinery Soundproofing Maipú Line 5
- Soundproofing SER Stage II
Implementation Stage
- Soundproofing SER Stage I, completed.
Waste Management
[G4-DMA] [G4-EN23] Our solid wastes are removed in accordance with legal regulations currently in effect. In 2016, we produced 215,144 kg in tires, 57% of which was recycled by Polambiente, a company that produces recycled rubber beads, powder and granules that are used as filler for artificial grass fields and other applications. The remainder (43%) is transferred to the Cemento Melón La Calera Plant where it is used to fuel the cement production process.
Waste generated by Metro is transferred to companies authorized to dispose of said waste at landfills or recycle the waste, depending on the nature of the waste. Inert waste, derived primarily from excavation works, is generally used as filler to level off land, thereby extending the useful life of these products.
Main Construction-Related Environmental Aspects
Mitigating Environmental Impact of Line 3 and 6 Construction
[G4-DMA] [G4-EN30] At Metro we begin integrating environmental criteria in the project design phase in order better control and mitigate environmental impacts. The latter also enables us to comply with regulatory standards stipulated by environmental authorities and adopt the necessary measure to reduce the potential impact of our projects.
The main impacts are described as follows:
Noise: for works under way (building tunnels and stations that use noisy machinery) we have implemented several different mitigation measures such as noise silencers, perimeter acoustic barriers, and acoustic tunnels, among others, that significantly reduce the impact and inconveniences affecting communities. Metro personnel are also available on site to address community members’ concerns regarding the matter and arrange for solutions so as to minimize the inconvenience.
[G4-EN23] Regarding the waste produced during the construction of Metro’s new Lines 6 and 3, there was significantly less waste produced in 2016 when compared to 2015 since we are in the final stage of tunnel building.
Air pollution: minimizing air pollution is important, especially PM10. To this end we have a series of measures such as dampening areas with truck traffic, washing truck tires, and others.
Protecting archaeological heritage: archaeological surveys are conducted prior to the construction phase to make sure any possible findings are protected. In the event archaeological remains are found, the area under survey is expanded and remains are removed. Once the area has been cleared by the Council of National Monuments, we are able to begin the construction phase under archaeological supervision to ensure that new findings are protected
All findings are recorded and analyzed in the laboratory, and, when appropriate, pieces are sent abroad for C14 identification, followed by conservation, packaging and delivery to the National Natural History Museum. Some of the more representative archaeological sites will be prepared for exhibition in 2017 as part of a joint effort undertaken by Metro and the National Natural History Museum.
Environmental Audits on Contractors
[G4-DMA] [G4-14] [G4-EN33] In 2016 we formally instituted an Environmental Auditing process for our civil works and systems contractors, covering a total of 16 companies involved in the P63 project during this period.
The main conclusions drawn from this process point out some minor observations that do not have any real or potentially negative environmental impact on our supply chain.
Finally, we would like to underscore that we have not terminated any contract on the grounds of significantly negative environmental impacts.
