Uruguay: River Pollution Reported During Iron Ore Transshipment

The Sindicato Único de los Trabajadores del Mar (SUNTMA – Sole Union of Maritime Workers) has denounced that shipping companies LHG Mining and Rocktree polluted the Río de la Plata and the Uruguay River with iron ore during a transshipment operation.

Both companies operate in the offloading and cargo consolidation zone of Punta de Arenal, an area managed by Uruguay’s National Port Administration (ANP), located near Nueva Palmira, as well as in the Alfa zone.

The union stated that the violations also involve occupational safety and unsanitary working conditions. According to Suntma, during the iron ore operations, silica and other harmful substances were detected in the air, posing a health risk to workers.

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Suntma and the National Directorate of Labor, which is part of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The union requested that environmental measurements be taken during operational hours.

Suntma noted that under current Uruguayan law, employers are required to ensure the safety and health of workers. Therefore, the union called on the Ministry of the Environment to conduct measurements during ore handling to determine the actual level of contamination and to identify the necessary protective measures.

The iron ore, sourced from Corumbá (Brazil), is transported via the Paraguay-Paraná waterway to Nueva Palmira. According to the union, most of the vessels involved in the operation fly flags of convenience and do not use the Uruguayan flag, even when performing cabotage, which violates national regulations.

The union also stated that both companies are non-compliant with Uruguayan legislation regarding the composition of ship crews operating under special waivers in national waters.

This harms Uruguayan seafarers, as the waivers issued by the National Naval Prefecture allow companies to operate without hiring Uruguayan personnel, which contradicts Law No. 19.078.

LHG Mining Reaffirms Compliance with Protocols

LHG Mining responded to the report by stating that it conducts all its activities by the protocols required by the relevant authorities, strictly adhering to current legislation, environmental standards, and port and navigation regulations.

“Our operations are monitored in real-time, 24 hours a day, by the National Naval Prefecture, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements and maintaining high standards of safety and control,” the company concluded.

Source: Portal Portuario

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