(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME
(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME
(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