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(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME

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achieve <strong>the</strong>ir commitments, are publicly available. Each year, participants<br />

monitor <strong>the</strong>ir emissions and report <strong>the</strong>ir results.<br />

Results to date (1998) show that ARET participants have made significant<br />

progress toward <strong>the</strong> goals committed to in <strong>the</strong>ir action plans. Toge<strong>the</strong>r, 316<br />

facilities from companies and government organizations have reduced toxic<br />

substance emissions to <strong>the</strong> environment by 26,358 tonnes - a decrease of 67%<br />

from base year levels to December 1998. Participants also commit to fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

reduce <strong>the</strong>ir emissions of toxic substances by ano<strong>the</strong>r 3,052 tonnes by <strong>the</strong> year<br />

2000, <strong>for</strong> a total reduction of 29,410 tonnes, a 75 per-cent reduction from baseyear<br />

levels.<br />

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) represents <strong>the</strong> mining and smelting<br />

sector in <strong>the</strong> ARET program. Involvement of MAC members in ARET is at 97 per<br />

cent. Emissions reported to ARET from this sector include emissions of Zinc,<br />

Cyanides, Lead, Hydrogen Sulphide, Arsenic, Nickel and Copper.<br />

3.1.1.5. Assessments of Releases from Primary and Secondary<br />

Copper Smelters and Refineries and Primary and<br />

Secondary Zinc Plants<br />

Releases from Primary and Secondary Copper Smelters and Copper Refineries<br />

and Releases from Primary and Secondary Zinc Smelters and Zinc Refineries<br />

were added to <strong>the</strong> Priority Substances List (PSL) following a recommendation<br />

made by <strong>the</strong> Minister’s Expert Advisory Panel on <strong>the</strong> Second Priority Substances<br />

List 72 .<br />

“ The individual chemical components of releases<br />

from <strong>the</strong>se facilities include particulate matter, copper,<br />

lead, arsenic and sulphuric acid. (…) given <strong>the</strong> large<br />

volumes released and <strong>the</strong> persistent and hazardous<br />

nature of some of <strong>the</strong>se substances, an assessment<br />

is required to determine <strong>the</strong> nature and extent of local<br />

and long-range ecological and health effects.”<br />

(Ministers’ Expert Advisory Panel. 1995. Report of <strong>the</strong><br />

Minister’s Expert Advisory Panel on <strong>the</strong> Second<br />

Priority Substances List, under <strong>the</strong> Canadian<br />

Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Government of<br />

Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 26pp.<br />

Releases from copper smelters and refineries and zinc plants are complex<br />

mixtures containing varying amounts of numerous substances. As most releases<br />

(on a mass basis) are discharged to air, <strong>the</strong>se assessments focused on air<br />

emissions. Releases to water from all but three of <strong>the</strong>se facilities will be subject<br />

to <strong>the</strong> revised Metal Mining Effluent Regulation (MMER) of <strong>the</strong> Fisheries Act<br />

which includes a requirement <strong>for</strong> environmental effects monitoring. Such<br />

72 Environment Canada / Health Canada, Assessment Report: Releases from Primary and<br />

Secondary Copper Smelters and Copper Refineries, Releases from Primary and Secondary Zinc<br />

Smelters and Zinc Refineries Draft Report, June 28, 2000.<br />

45

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