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 mercury, benzene, toluene, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, naphthalene and dioxin/furans. When fully implemented, EPA estimates the rule will reduce emissions of toxic metals, primarily lead and arsenic, by nearly 50 percent from these sources.
Rule History
05/13/2024 - Primary Copper NESHAP Final Rule
07/24/2023 - Supplement to proposed rule
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: Final Amendments to Air Toxics Standards for Primary Copper Smelting (pdf)
FMMI 2023 Vent Fume Aisle Scrubber and APTG Mercury Test Report (pdf)
Attachment B - FMMI Non-Metal HAPS Test Report (pdf)
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.
Primary Copper UPL Spreadsheets (zip) for supplemental proposal. Download this zip file to your computer and extract the files to access.