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TRI National Analysis

Metal Mining Waste Management Trend

The following graph shows the annual quantities of TRI chemical waste managed by the metal mining industry from 2007 to 2019, 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 2007 to 2019:

  • While metal mining production (as reported in the United States Geological Survey (PDF) (204 pp, 5.8MB) Exit) remained relatively steady, the quantity of waste managed fluctuated.
  • Besides production volume, 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 2018 to 2019:

  • The quantity of TRI chemical waste managed by this sector decreased by 227 million pounds (-13%) between 2018 and 2019.
  • During 2019, 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.

The following graph shows the annual 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 2007 to 2019:

  • More than 99% of the metal mining sector’s releases of TRI chemicals were on site and to land. The quantity of on-site land disposal by metal mines has fluctuated in recent years.
  • Several mines have reported that changes in production volume and changes in the chemical composition of the deposit being mined are the primary causes of fluctuations in the amount of chemicals reported as disposed of on site at the mine.
  • Metal mining facilities typically handle large volumes of material, and even a small change in the chemical composition of the deposit being mined can lead to big changes in the amount of TRI chemicals reported.
  • The quantity of TRI chemicals released is not an indicator of health risks posed by the chemicals, as described in the Introduction. For more information, see the TRI document, Factors to Consider When Using Toxics Release Inventory Data.

In 2019:

  • The metal mining sector reported the largest quantity of total disposal or other releases, accounting for 44% of total TRI releases and 63% of on-site land disposal for all industries.

Source Reduction in the Metal Mining Sector:

One metal mining facility reported initiating source reduction activities for TRI chemicals in 2019, replacing a component used in grinding with one containing less nickel and chromium. Unlike manufacturing, the nature of mining—the necessary movement and disposal of large volumes of rock containing TRI chemicals to access the target ore—does not lend itself to source reduction. TRI’s P2 Industry Profile Dashboard can help you learn more about releases, other waste management trends, and pollution prevention opportunities in this sector.

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


This page was published in January 2021 and uses the 2019 TRI National Analysis dataset made public in TRI Explorer in October 2020.

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