Primary Copper Smelting: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
On this page:
Rule Summary
Primary copper smelting is the industry which refines copper sulfide ore concentrate from mined ore to produce anode grade copper, using pyrometallurgical processes. Smelting includes the handling and blending of ore concentrate; the drying of copper concentrate; the smelting of concentrate to matte grade copper; the conversion of matte grade copper to blister grade copper; the refining of blister grade copper to anode grade copper; and the pouring of copper anodes.
The toxic air pollutants reduced by this major source rule include arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. When fully implemented, EPA estimates the rule will reduce annual nationwide HAP emissions from the major source category by approximately 23 percent or 22 megagrams per year.
Rule History
01/11/2022 - Proposed Rule
06/12/2002 - Final rule
06/26/2000 - Supplement to proposed rule
04/20/1998 - Proposed rule and notice of public hearing
Additional Resources
Fact Sheet: Proposed Amendments to Air Toxics Standards for Primary Copper Smelting (pdf)
Primary Copper modeling files (zip) Download this zip file to your computer and extract the files to access.