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Compliance and Enforcement Annual Results:
FY2007 Important Environmental Problems/National Priorities
Priority: Mineral Processing
FY2007 Annual Results Topics
Annual Results for
National Enforcement Priorities
On this page:
Problem:
Graphic showing distribution of live and dead crabs
Environmental impacts caused by the mineral processing and mining sectors are significant. The mineral processing sector and mining sectors cumulatively generate larger volumes of wastes that are corrosive and/or contain toxic metals than any other industrial sector. Over the past decade, EPA has found that many of the facilities that manage these wastes, due either to noncompliance with state or federal environmental requirements or legally permissible waste management practices, have contaminated groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment. Since the start of this priority in fiscal year 2005, there has been an 80% significant noncompliance rate discovered from the investigations completed to date.
Key Results:
| Fiscal Year | Pollutants Reduced (lbs) pounds in millions |
Investments in Pollution Control ($) |
Civil Penalties ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2007 | .620 | $57M | $84,000 |
*FY 2005 and 2006 Annual Results Data Not Available
Highlights:
- In FY 2007, EPA issued an administrative order with Doe Run Resources Corporation that reduced 340,000 pounds of lead and 135,000 pounds of other toxic metals such as cadmium, copper, and zinc. These pollution control activities will cost the company $55,300,000.
- In FY 2007, EPA and the state of Florida negotiated a consent decree with U.S. Agri-Chemicals Corporation of Fort Meade, Florida that requires reduction of 1s20,000 pounds of pollutants and payment of $34,000 civil penalty. These pollution controls will prevent the type of acid spill that occurred in Florida’s Tampa Bay in 2004 and killed over 3 million fish and scores of aquatic life.
- In FY 2007, EPA hosts informal dialogues with interested parties to discuss compliance issues and develop assistance tools. Since FY 2005, EPA hosted seven (7) such dialogues to identify good management practices at gold and copper mine sites.
Annual Results by Fiscal Year:
FY2010 | FY2009 | FY2008 | FY2007 | FY2006 | FY2005 | FY2004 | FY2003 | FY2002 | FY2001 | FY2000 | FY1999