An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

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

On this page:

Rule Summary

On June 12, 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated final air toxics standards for the Primary Copper Smelting major sources. 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

06/12/2002 - Final rule

06/26/2000 - Supplement to proposed rule

04/20/1998 - Proposed rule and notice of public hearing

Additional Resources

DRAFT Primary Copper RTR Emissions Risk Modeling File(4 MB, 2/26/2020) - If you have any questions about this file, please contact Tonisha Dawson at dawson.tonisha@epa.gov or 919-541-1454.

Fact Sheet

Related Rules

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