Metal Mining Waste Management Trend

The following graph shows the annual quantities of TRI chemical waste managed by the metal mining industry from 2011 to 2020, mainly in the form of on-site land disposal. The nature of metal mining operations limits the feasibility of other methods of waste management. For more details on quantities released, toggle to the “Releases only” graph.

Note: For comparability, trend graphs include only those chemicals that were reportable to TRI for all years presented.

From 2011 to 2020:

• The quantity of waste managed by the metal mining sector fluctuated year to year and does not closely follow the sector’s production (as reported in the United States Geological Survey (pdf)).
• One factor commonly cited by facilities as a contributor to the changes in quantities of waste managed is the chemical composition of the extracted ore, which can vary substantially from year to year. In some cases, small changes in the ore’s composition can impact whether TRI chemicals in ore qualify for a concentration-based TRI reporting exemption in one year but not in the next year or vice versa.

From 2019 to 2020:

• The quantity of TRI chemical waste managed by this sector decreased by 126 million pounds (-8%).
• During 2020, 95% of the metal mining sector’s production-related waste generated was disposed of or otherwise released. Most of this waste consisted of metals, which were primarily disposed of to land on site at the mine.

Source Reduction in the Metal Mining Sector:

Unlike manufacturing, the nature of mining—the necessary movement and disposal of large volumes of rock to access the target ore—does not lend itself to source reduction. To find examples of metal mining source reduction activities and the source reduction barriers mining facilities face, visit the TRI P2 Search Tool.

EPA's Smart Sectors Program is partnering with the mining sector to develop sensible approaches to better protect the environment and public health.

The following graph shows the 10-year trend in quantities of TRI chemicals released by the metal mining industry, primarily through on-site land disposal.

Note: For comparability, trend graphs include only those chemicals that were reportable to TRI for all years presented.

From 2011 to 2020:

• More than 99% of the metal mining sector’s releases of TRI chemicals were on site and to land. Quantities of on-site land disposal by metal mines have fluctuated from year to year.
  • Optionally, facilities can indicate whether reported land releases represent disposal of waste rock. For 2020, at least 44% of the on-site land disposal of TRI chemicals at metal mines was in the form of waste rock.
• The quantity of TRI chemicals released alone is not an indicator of health risks posed by the chemicals, as described in the Hazard and Potential Risk of TRI Chemicals section. For more information, see the TRI document, Factors to Consider When Using Toxics Release Inventory Data (pdf).

In 2020:

• Among the sectors reporting to TRI, the metal mining sector reported the largest quantity of waste disposed of or otherwise released, accounting for 45% of total TRI releases and 70% of on-site land disposal for all industries.