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Related Topics:
  • Stationary Sources of Air Pollution
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Primary Copper Smelting: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

Primary Copper Smelting: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
Basic Information
Legal Authorities
  • 42 U.S.C. §7401
Federal Register Citations
  • 72 FR 2929
  • 72 FR 36363
  • 72 FR 36415
  • 71 FR 59302
  • 67 FR 40477
  • 65 FR 39326
  • 63 FR 19581
Code of Federal Regulations Citations
  • 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart QQQ
Docket Numbers
  • EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0222

On this page:

  • Rule Summary
  • Rule History
  • Additional Resources

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)

Proposed Regulation Edits for Subpart QQQ: Primary Copper Smelting NESHAP Risk and Technology Review Proposal (pdf)

Primary Copper modeling files (zip)   Download this zip file to your computer and extract the files to access.

Related Rules

Primary Copper Smelting Area Sources: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

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Last updated on February 1, 2022
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