Comprehensive Report: an Overview of Practices at Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing Facilities and Related Releases of CERCLA Hazardous Substances
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November 30, 2016 Comprehensive Report: An Overview of Practices at Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing Facilities and Related Releases of CERCLA Hazardous Substances Final Report November 30, 2016 Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. i List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... iii Glossary ........................................................................................................................................ vii Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 1 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Section 1: Current Mining and Mineral Practices........................................................................ 11 A. Surface and Underground Extraction .......................................................................... 12 B. Non-Entry (Solution) Mining and Ion Exchange Processing...................................... 26 C. Physical Processing and Gravity and Magnetic Separation ........................................ 40 D. Flotation Processing .................................................................................................... 51 E. Cyanidation.................................................................................................................. 58 F. Acid Leach, Solvent Extraction and Electrowinning .................................................. 75 G. Pyrometallurgical Processes ....................................................................................... 88 H. Bayer Process ............................................................................................................ 103 Section 2: Waste Management Practices ................................................................................... 112 A. Mine-Influenced Water (MIW) ................................................................................. 113 B. Waste Rock Management.......................................................................................... 116 C. Tailings Management ................................................................................................ 132 D. Leaks and Spills Resulting in Releases from Mining and Associated Processes . 152 Appendix I: Summary of Approach Used to Generate a Sample of Non-Operating Sites ........ 155 Appendix II: Summary of Approach Used to Generate a Sample of Currently Operating Universe ...................................................................................................................................... 162 Appendix III: Proposed Data Collection Process for Non-Operating Sites and Currently Operating Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 168 Appendix III.A.: Sample of Non-Operating Sites ......................................................... 174 Appendix III.B.: Sample of Currently Operating Facilities ........................................... 176 Appendix IV: Summary of Federal and State Regulations Potentially Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing Facilities .................................................................................. 180 Table A. Federal Laws and Regulations Applicable to Releases from Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ................................................................................................... 185 i November 30, 2016 Table B. Alaska: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 194 Table C. Arizona: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 197 Table D. Arkansas: State-level Laws and Regulations Applicable to Releases from Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ...................................................................... 200 Table E. California: State-Level Regulations applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing.......................................................................................................... 205 Table F. Florida: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 209 Table G. Idaho: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 214 Table H. Indiana: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 219 Table I. Minnesota: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing.......................................................................................................... 222 Table J. Montana: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 227 Table K. Nevada: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 231 Table L. Tennessee: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing.......................................................................................................... 235 Table M. Texas: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 239 Table N. Utah: State-Level Regulations Applicable to Hardrock Mining and Mineral Processing ....................................................................................................................... 242 ii November 30, 2016 List of Acronyms Acronym Definition ACGP Alaska Construction General Permit ADEC Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ADNR Alaska Department of Natural Resources ADWR Arizona Department of Water Resources AMD Acid Mine Drainage AMLRA Arizona Mined Land Reclamation Act APDES Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System APMA Application for Permits to Mine in Alaska APP Aquifer Protection Permit ARAP Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit ATCM Airborne Toxics Control Measure ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry AWQS Arizona Water Quality Standards AZPDES Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System BLM Bureau of Land Management BR Biennial Report BRS Biennial Reporting System CAA Clean Air Act CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CERCLIS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System CWA Clean Water Act DCHD Douglas County Health Department DEQ Department of Environmental Quality DMRs Discharge monitoring reports iii November 30, 2016 DOE Department of Energy DOI U.S. Department of the Interior DPNR Department of Planning and Natural Resources DRI Developments of Regional Impact EAW Environmental Assessment Worksheet ECHO Enforcement and Compliance History Online EIS Environmental Impact Statement ELGs Effluent Limitation Guidelines EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ERNS Emergency Response Notification System ERP Environmental Resource Permit FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FRS Facility Registry System HDPE High Density Polyethylene HRM/P Hard Rock Mining and Processing ICIS Integrated Compliance Information System IDEM Indiana Department of Environmental Management IDEQ Idaho Department of Environmental Quality IDL Idaho Department of Lands IDNR Indiana Department of Natural Resources ILO International Labour Organization ISL In situ Leaching IW Industrial Wastewater LDR Land Disposal Restriction(s) MACT Maximum Achievable Control Technology MANPHO Mandatory Phosphate Program MCLs Maximum Contaminant Levels MDEQ Montana Department of Environmental Quality MEPA Minnesota Environmental Policy Act iv November 30, 2016 MEPA Montana Environmental Policy Act MGWPCS Montana Groundwater Pollution Control System MIW Mine-Influenced Water MOU Memorandum (or Memoranda) of Understanding MPDES Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration MSSW Management and Storage of Surface Waters Program NAICS North American Industry Classification System NEI National Emissions Inventory NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NESHAPs National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants