Santiago, Chile, 22 March 2010 --  On 21 March, Arauco resumed operation of its Valdivia pulp mill. The facility underwent a thorough inspection following the earthquake that struck on 27 February 2010, and now fully complies with the operational, environmental, and safety standards demanded.

“Today we began operation of the Valdivia pulp mill, which is in ideal conditions. This is a fundamental step in the normalization of company activities and good news for the company, for our workers and contract workers, our customers and the market in general, as well as for the many businesses that supply products and services in the area”, said Matías Domeyko, Arauco CEO.

The Valdivia pulp mill has an annual production capacity of 550,000 tons of kraft pulp. Additionally, its biomass based cogeneration power plant resumed operation on 16 March, providing clean energy to the nation’s Central Interconnected System. With the mill’s operation, Arauco’s production activities return to normal in Chile’s Los Ríos Region, generating a total of 10,000 jobs.

Other facilities that resumed operation on 16 March include four saw mills, in addition to Valdivia saw mill (which never closed); four remanufacturing facilities; and three panel facilities. Arauco's remaining production units are being assessed for damage by specialized teams and work is being done to resume operations as soon as possible.

Domeyko confirmed the company’s commitment to the reconstruction phase that has begun in the regions affected by the earthquake and tidal wave. “We are specially committed to our workers, contract workers and their families, so that they can overcome the situation they are now going through.”