Chile's Cemento Melon has begun using used tyres to fire its kiln no 9 at its industrial plant in Region V municipality La Calera, Melon communications manager Ignacio del Rio confirmed to local reporters. The US$1m project is being carried out under a strategic alliance with Goodyear Chile.  Environmental authorities are scheduled to conduct tests within 30 days to ensure that emissions levels fall within authorized levels, said del Rio, adding that apart from the company, government authorities will also periodically monitor the system.  The system has the capacity to handle 1.5 million tyres/y, and has performed well, he said, but there are no immediate plans to use tires to fire its other kiln No 8.  France's Lafarge controls Melon, which produced 1.25Mt of cement products in 2002.