Import of red mud, furnace slag to be allowed in Moldova

Chisinau, 22 November /MOLDPRES/ – The import of red mud and furnace slag will be allowed on the territory of Moldova, according to legislative amendments voted today in the first and second readings of the Parliament.

The red mud (bauxite residue) and blast furnace slag (slag sand) are waste destined for use as secondary raw material in the cement industry.

According to the authors of the document, the legislation currently prohibits the introduction into Moldova of waste, residues of any kind in raw or processed state. These types of wastes are not included in the list of residues that derogate from the general rule. Thus, the modifications will allow legalisation of the import activities of the red sludge and the blast-furnace slag, used as additions to the finishing of the finished material by the cement – producing enterprises.

The authors of the document claim that "the new regulations were demanded by the cement producers in the country".