M

tion and benificiation can create environmental 

including acid mine drainage, erosion and sedim

tion, chemical releases, fugitive dust emission, habitat destruc

face- and ground-water contamination, and subsidence.

This document includes descriptions of U.S. Environment

Protection Agency (EPA) publications designed to assist triba

environmental personnel, and the general public with mining 

mineral processing issues. It includes publications relating to 

waste management and engineering practices. These publica

cuss environmental impacts from mining operations, mining 

reduction and recycling opportunities, and innovative techni

waste management. They also address mineral processing of 

ores, such as lead, zinc, gold, iron, and copper, and focus sp

on EPA’s mining research and waste management activities.

Documents are grouped according to topic area (e.g., Gener

Publications and Environmental Impacts and Risk). Many are 

on the Internet, and Internet addresses have been included. Th

National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCE

a limited number of these publications and makes them availa

through their online ordering system at <www.epa.gov/ncepiho

Once a document is out of stock at NSCEP, you will be referred 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Publications n

able electronically or from NSCEP are available

for a fee from NTIS. See the Ordering

Information section on page 12 for more details.

2 Printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.
y 

This Is Mining... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

II. EXTRACTION AND BENEFICIATION OF SPECIFIC ORES AND

MINERALS

Technical Resource Document: Extraction

and Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals;

Volume 1: Lead-Zinc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Technical Resource Document: Extraction and

Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals; 

Volume 2: Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Technical Resource Document: Extraction and

Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals; 

Volume 3: Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Technical Resource Document: Extraction and

Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals; 

Volume 4: Copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Technical Resource Document: Extraction and

Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals; 

Volume 5: Uranium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Technical Resource Document: Extraction

and Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals;

Volume 6: Gold Placers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Technical Resource Document: Extraction

and Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals;

Volume 7: Phosphate and Molybdenum. . .3

III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

AND RISK

Seminar Publication: Managing

Environmental Problems at Inactive and

Abandoned Metals Mine Sites . . . . . . . . . .3

Innovative Methods of Managing

Environmental Releases at Mine Sites. . . . .3

Technical Document: Background for NEPA

Reviewers: Non-Coal Mining Operations. . .3

Location of Mines and Factors Affecting

Exposure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

IV. WASTE CHARACTERIZATION

AND TESTING

ASTM-D-6234-98 Standard Test Method for

Shake Extraction of Mining Waste by the

Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure. .4

Long-Term Dissolution Testing of Mine

Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Long-Term Dissolution Testing of Mine

Waste: Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Statistical Analysis of Mining Waste Data. .4

Technical Studies Supporting the Mining

Waste Regulatory Determination . . . . . . . .4

VI. MINE PIT WATER

Water Quality in Open Pit Precious Metal

Mines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Geochemical Modeling of Mine Pit Water:

Overview and Application of Computer

Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

VII. TAILINGS DAMS

Guide to Tailings, Dams and Impoundments,

Design, Construction, Use and

Rehabilitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Technical Report: Design and Evaluation of

Tailings Dams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

VIII. CYANIDE WASTE ISSUES

Technical Report: Treatment of Cyanide

Heap Leaches and Tailings. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Development of a Solid Analytical

Procedure for Cyanide in Spent Ore . . . . . .6

Quantities of Cyanide-Bearing and AcidGenerating Wastes Generated by the

Mining and Beneficiating Industries, and

Potentials for Contaminant Release . . . .6

IX. CERCLA/SUPERFUND ISSUES

Mining and Mineral Processing Sites Listed

on the Superfund’s National Priorities List

(NPL). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Mining Sites in the National Priorities List;

NPL Site Summary Reports (Complete Set). .7

Superfund Guide to RCRA Management

Requirements for Mineral Processing

Wastes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Consideration of RCRA Requirements in

Performing CERCLA Responses at Mining

Waste Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

X. REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON

MINING WASTES

Summary and Technical Review of

Supporting Literature for the 1985 Report

to Congress on Wastes from Extraction and

Beneficiation of Metallic Ores, Phosphate

Rock, Asbestos Overburden from Uranium

Mining, and Oil Shale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Report to Congress on Special Wastes from

Mineral Processing: Summary and

Findings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Report to Congress on Special Wastes from

Mineral Processing: Summary and

Findings; Methods and Analysis;

Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Projected Regulatory, Programm

Fiscal Impacts of EPA’s Strawman 

Mine Waste Management Progr

(Complete Set, Volumes I-III). . . . 

Strawman II: Recommendation

Regulatory Program for Mining 

Materials Under Subtitle D of t

Conservation and Recovery Act

XII. LAND DISPOSAL 

RESTRICTIONS, PHA

Land Disposal Restrictions, Phas

Treatment Standards Proposed 

Characteristic (TC) Metal and M

Processing Wastes - Proposed R

Environmental Fact Sheet: Trea

Standards Proposed for Toxicity

Characteristic (TC) Metal and M

Processing Wastes. . . . . . . . . . . 

Docket Index: Land Disposal Re

Phase IV: Second Supplemental 

Treatment Standards for Metal 

Mineral Processing Wastes, Min

Processing and Bevill Exclusion 

the Use of Hazardous Waste as 

Identification and Description o

Processing Sectors and Waste S

Applicability of the Toxicity Cha

Leaching Procedure to Mineral 

Wastes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Mineral processing Facilities Pla

Mixtures of Exempt and Non-E

Wastes in On-Site Waste Mana

Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Remanded Smelting Wastes. . . 

Lightweight Aggregate Produc

Pollution Control Wastes . . . . . 

Titanium Tetrachloride Product

Chloride Ilmenite Process. . . . . 

Human Health and Environmen

from Mining and Mineral Proce

Wastes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Site Visit Reports to Mines and 

Processing Facilities. . . . . . . . . . 

Regulatory Impact Analysis of t

Supplemental Proposed Rule A

Phase IV Land Disposal Restrict

Identified Mineral Processing W

Capacity Analysis Background D
1

Provides an introduction to

hard rock mining in the United

States. Includes an overview of

exploration, extraction, and

beneficiation mining methods.

Defines potential impacts of

mining wastes, such as mine

water, waste rock, mill tailings,

and spent ore. Addresses pollution prevention issues and

explains the environmental

concerns associated with mining, including acid mine

drainage, erosion, sedimentation, chemical releases, fugitive

dust emissions, habitat modification, and surface- and

ground-water impacts. Contains

the full text of a number of the

mining publications listed in

this document.

▼

Profile of The Non-Fuel, NonMetal Mining Industry: Sector

Notebook Project. 1995.

EPA310-R-95-011 (NSCEP). 

(95 pages) 

<es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/index.html>

Profile of The Metal Mining

Industry: Sector Notebook

Project. 1995. EPA310-R-95-008

(NSCEP). (137 pages)

<es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/index.html>

Profile of the Coal Mining

Industry: Sector Notebook

Project. Available soon (NSCEP).

<es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/index.html>

inside and outside EPA. Each

sector-specific notebook provides

comprehensive, well-researched

data gathered for the first time in

a single source. The notebooks

include a comprehensive environmental profile, industrial

process information, pollution

prevention techniques, pollutant

release data, regulatory requirements, compliance and enforcement history, government and

industry partnerships, innovative

programs, contact names, bibliographic references, and descriptions of research methodology.

▼

Historic Hardrock Mining:

West’s Toxic Legacy, the

Critical Link Between Water

Quality and Abandoned Mine

Sites. 1995. EPA908-F-95-002.

U.S. EPA Region 8, Office of

Ecosystems Protection and

Remediation. (4 pages)

Describes the environmental

and water-quality damage historic mining activities caused

in the western United States.

Cautions that each mining site

is unique and presents different

geologic, hydrologic, and physical challenges. Emphasizes the

importance of proper site

investigation and characterization, and outlines questions to

answer and steps to take prior

to commencing mine site

cleanup activities.

tion to the mining ind

and explains the impo

mining in our daily li

Provides basic inform

mining methods for c

ing and metal and non

mining. Briefly descri

closure. Written by th

Bureau of Mines, but 

tributed by NIOSH.

II. EXTRACTION 

BENEFICIATION 

SPECIFIC ORES 

MINERALS

▼

Technical Resource Do

Extraction and Benef

of Ores and Minerals; 

1: Lead-Zinc. June 199

EPA530-R-94-011. Ord

Number: PB94-170 24

(126 pages) 

<www.epa.gov/epaoswe

mining.htm>

Presents the result

EPA’s research into th

domestic lead-zinc m

industry. Briefly char

the geology of lead-zi

and the economics of 

industry. Reviews lea

extraction and benefi

methods and discuss

tial environmental ef

lead-zinc mining. De

current regulatory pr

implemented by EPA
2

ficiation, and a summary of

comments on the report with

EPA responses. 

▼

Technical Resource Document:

Extraction and Beneficiation

of Ores and Minerals; Volume

2: Gold. July 1994. EPA530-R94-013. Order Number: PB94-

170 305 (NTIS). (382 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents the results of EPA’s

research into the domestic

gold mining industry. Briefly

characterizes the geology of

gold ores and the economics of

the industry. Reviews gold

extraction and beneficiation

methods and discusses the

potential environmental effects

of gold mining. Describes current regulatory programs

implemented by EPA, federal

land management agencies,

and selected states.

Appendices include flow

sheets of specific mine operations, National Priority List

site summaries related to gold

extraction and beneficiation,

and comments on site visits

with EPA responses. 

Profiles the domestic iron

mining industry. Characterizes

the geology of iron ores and

the economics of the industry.

Reviews iron extraction and

beneficiation methods.

Discusses potential environmental effects of iron mining.

Describes current regulatory

programs that apply to the iron

mining industry as implemented by EPA, federal land management agencies, and selected

states. Appendix includes

comments on the report with

EPA responses.

▼

Technical Resource Document:

Extraction and Beneficiation of

Ores and Minerals; Volume 4:

Copper. August 1994. EPA530-

R-94-031. Order Number: PB94-

200 979 (NTIS). (180 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents the results of EPA’s

research into the domestic copper mining industry. Briefly

characterizes the geology of

copper ores and the economics

of the industry. Reviews copper extraction and beneficiation methods and discusses

potential environmental effects

of copper mining. Describes

current regulatory programs

implemented by EPA, federal

land management agencies,

and selected states.

Appendices include a summa

▼

Technical Resource Do

Extraction and Benef

of Ores and Minerals; 

5: Uranium. Decembe

EPA530-R-94-032. Ord

Number: PB94-200 98

(125 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswe

mining.htm>

Presents the results 

research into the dom

nium mining industry

characterizes the geol

uranium ores and the 

ics of the industry. Re

uranium extraction an

ciation methods and d

potential environmen

of uranium mining. D

current regulatory pro

implemented by EPA, 

land management age

and selected states.

Appendices include N

Priority List site summ

related to the extractio

beneficiation of urani

acronym list, and the 
3

Number: PB94-201 811 (NTIS).

(135 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents the results of EPA’s

research into the domestic gold

placer mining industry. Briefly

characterizes the geology of

gold placer deposits and the

economics of the industry.

Reviews gold placer extraction

and beneficiation methods and

discusses potential environmental effects of gold placer

mining. Describes current regulatory programs implemented

by EPA, federal land management agencies, and selected

states. Appendix includes

comments on the report with

EPA responses.

▼

Technical Resource Document:

Extraction and Beneficiation

of Ores and Minerals; Volume

7: Phosphate and

Molybdenum. November

1994. EPA530-R-94-034. Order

Number: PB94-201 001 (NTIS).

(135 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents the results of EPA’s

research into the domestic

phosphate and molybdenum

mining industry. Comprises two

reports of site visits conducted

by EPA to a phosphate mine in

Florida and a molybdenum

and ground-water monitoring

data. Appendix includes comments on the report and EPA

responses. 

III. ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACTS AND RISK

▼

Seminar Publication:

Managing Environmental

Problems at Inactive and

Abandoned Metals Mine Sites.

1995. EPA625-R-95-007

(NSCEP). (91 pages)

<www.epa.gov/ttbnrmrl/

Sempubs.htm>

Summarizes information

presented at the three 1994

EPA- and U.S. Department of

Energy-sponsored available

control technologies seminars.

The information concerned

how to control problems associated with mining and beneficiation waste generated from

active and inactive mining

sites. Other seminar discussion

topics included the fundamentals of acid mine drainage,

known and probable effects on

public health and the environment, and control technologies

such as bioremediation, composting, and other innovative

approaches currently being

investigated.

Describes source re

and recycling practice

innovative techniques 

waste management cu

used in mining. Discu

process controls that h

duce purer and more 

products while reduci

ardous constituents in 

waste stream. Examin

cling opportunities un

mining, such as slag r

ing, tailings reprocess

recycling and reuse, a

tire recycling. Lists te

contacts familiar with 

technology described. 

▼

Technical Document:

Background for NEPA

Reviewers: Non-Coal 

Operations. Decembe

EPA530-R-95-043. Ord

Number: PB96-109 10

(79 pages)

Assists in preparin

ronmental impact sta

for noncoal mining o

tions. Describes the g

types of environment

impacts likely to occu

hard rock (noncoal) m

Provides valuable inf

at an introductory, no

cal level on these typ

operations.
locations of potential receptor

populations, and environmental characteristics at those locations, and also compares

selected sites.

IV. WASTE

CHARACTERIZATION

AND TESTING

▼

ASTM-D-6234-98 Standard Test

Method for Shake Extraction

of Mining Waste by the

Synthetic Precipitation

Leaching Procedure. June 1998.

Order Number: ASTM-D-6234-

98INL (NTIS). (6 pages) Order

directly from ASTM’s online store. 

<www.astm.org>

Covers a procedure for the

shake leaching of mining waste

containing at least 80 percent

dry solids (20 percent moisture) in order to generate a

solution to be used to determine the inorganic constituents

leached under the specified

testing conditions, which conform to the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure. 

▼

Long-Term Dissolution Testing

of Mine Waste. March 1995.

EPA530-R-95-040. Order

Number: PB95-260 287 (NTIS).

(98 pages)

Describes the long-term dissolution testing of mine waste

▼

Long-Term Dissolution Testing

of Mine Waste: Appendices.

March 1995. EPA530-R-95-

040A. Order Number: PB95-

260 295 (NTIS). (148 pages)

Contains the appendices for

the long-term laboratory studies

examining the dissolution of

abandoned mine wastes and the

consequent drainage quality.

Includes solid phase characterization, wet-dry cycle test, elevated temperature test, particle

size experiment, and quality

assurance and quality control.

▼

Statistical Analysis of Mining

Waste Data. June 1986.

EPA530-SW-86-024. Order

Number: PB86-219 383/AS

(NTIS). (42 pages)

Contains analyses conducted to measure the concentration of various elements,

anion, radio nuclides, and

other parameters in raw mining waste samples and acetic

acid extracts of samples.

▼

Technical Studies Supporting

the Mining Waste Regulatory

Determination. June 1986.

EPA530-SW-86-026. Order

Number: PB86-219 417/AS

(NTIS). (59 pages)

Describes the study procedure and techniques for the

trations in extraction 

procedure-toxicity lea

The second task comp

extraction efficiency o

leachate techniques. P

conclusions and the re

dations of researchers.

V. ACID MINE

DRAINAGE

▼

Application of Geoph

Acid Mine Drainage

Investigations, Volum

Literature Review an

Theoretical Backgrou

September 1994. EPA

013A. Order Number: 

191 268 (NTIS). (144 pa

Evaluates the utility 

physical techniques in 

ing and monitoring ac

drainage contaminatio

mine wastes. Discusse

chemistry of acid min

drainage, the relations

between ion concentra

specific conductance, 

empirical relationship

able to predict the resi

soil and rock, and form

determining the optim

spacing for geophysica

and the associated pro

Includes a review and 

of literature on geophy

methods that might be 

evaluating migration o

highly specific conduc

contaminants in groun

4
tions undertaken to evaluate

the utility of surface geophysical techniques in detecting

and monitoring ground-water

pollution from mine waste in

the western United States.

Discusses results of investigations at the Spenceville copper mine, Leviathan sulfur

mine, Iron Mountain copper

mine, and Walker copper

mine. Includes maps, charts,

and tables.

▼

Technical Document: Acid

Mine Drainage Prediction.

December 1994. EPA530-R-94-

036. Order Number: PB94-201

829 (NTIS). (71 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Examines acid generation

prediction methods as they

apply to noncoal mining sites.

Reviews acid forming processes at mine sites. Summarizes

current methods used to predict acid formation, including

sampling, testing, and modeling. Presents case histories

from active mining sites and

sites on the Superfund

National Priorities List. 

based on the second and third

years of operation of the pilot

constructed wetland built at the

Big Five Tunnel in Idaho

Springs, Colorado. Contains

sections on theoretical developments and design considerations. Focuses on removal of

metals by precipitation of sulfides through the activity of sulfate reducing bacteria. Funded

by EPA under the SITE

Emerging Technologies Program.

VI. MINE PIT WATER

▼

Water Quality in Open Pit

Precious Metal Mines.

February 1994. EPA530-R-95-

011. Order Number: PB95-191

243 (NTIS). (74 pages)

Documents the current level

of understanding for issues 

arsenic), evapoconcen

and hydrothermal act

Discusses how pit lak

from the mining of mi

such as phosphate, ur

coal, copper, silver, an

Determines that variab

contributing factors af

water quality and the 

geology in each mine 

predictions of pit-wat

difficult.

▼

Geochemical Modelin

Mine Pit Water: Overv

Application of Compu

Codes. December 199

EPA530-R-95-012. Ord

Number: PB95-191 25

(192 pages)

Evaluates the suitab

hydrogeochemical com

modeling codes BALA

MINTEQA2, PHREEQ

QF, and WATEQF4 to 

of modeling post-min

water geochemistry. D

the advantages and di

tages of these codes fo

water modeling. Provi

detailed descriptions 

operation of each soft

code. Includes a detai

cussion of introductor

ous geochemistry and 

concepts are integrate

chemical models.

5
6

An important United Nations

reference book and guide that

addresses both the safety and the

environmental issues of tailing

impoundments. This invaluable

guide for mine owners and operators, as well as government

agencies concerned with the disposal of tailings, discusses common problems in the disposal of

tailings at mines, quarries, and

other industries. 

▼

Technical Report: Design and

Evaluation of Tailings Dams.

August 1994. EPA530-R-94-

038. Order Number: PB94-201

845 (NTIS) (69 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents an introduction to

the subject of tailings dams and

impoundments, particularly with

regard to their engineering features and their ability to mitigate

or minimize adverse effects to

the environment. Provides an

overview of the various methods

used to dispose of mine tailings

and the types of impoundments

used. Describes the basic concepts used in the design of

impoundments, including a

number of site-specific variables

of concern. Discusses tailings

embankment and stability and

addresses water management in

tailings impoundments. Offers a

case study on a lined tailings

impoundment. Includes an

Cyanide Heap Leaches and

Tailings. September 1994.

EPA530-R-94-037. Order

Number: PB94-201 837 (NTIS).

(70 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Provides information on

cyanide treatment methods for

heap leaches and tailings activities associated with cyanidation operations. Discusses

cyanide detoxification treatment in terms of chemistry,

duration, removal efficiencies,

and advantages and limitations. Describes treatment techniques and typical closure and

reclamation activities for heaps

and tailings impoundments.

Includes selected case studies

and federal and state requirements that apply to cyanide

operations. Presents treatment

options without evaluating

their efficiency. 

▼

Development of a Solid

Analytical Procedure for

Cyanide in Spent Ore. June

1991. EPA530-R-92-006. Order

Number: PB93-203 496 (NTIS).

(239 pages)

Explores three methods

used to test cyanide levels in

tailings from heap leach

cyanidation facilities for mining gold and silver.

Establishes that bottle-roll

tests give the closest approxi

Generated by the Min

Beneficiating Industr

Potentials for Contam

Release. June 1986. E

SW-86-025. Order Num

PB86-219 391/AS (NTI

(201 pages)

Documents the init

es of human exposure 

logical impact assessm

mining and beneficiat

wastes bearing cyanid

generating acids. Data 

ing waste quantities, w

ited information on cy

concentrations and th

tial for acid formation 

wastes, are summarize

IX. CERCLA/

SUPERFUND IS

▼

Mining and Mineral P

Sites Listed on the Su

National Priorities Lis

February 1997. F-97-2

S0043 (RCRA Hotline/ 

Information Center).

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer

ldr/ldr-supl.htm#mining>

Identifies mining a

al processing sites list

Superfund’s National 

List and summarizes e

mental damage inform

each site. 
7

48 mining sites on the National

Priorities List (NPL) in a fivevolume set. Contains reports

prepared to support EPA’s mining program activities.

Summarizes environmental

damages and associated mining waste management practices at sites on, or proposed

for, NPL as of the February 11,

1991, Federal Register notice

(56 FR 5598). Based on information obtained from EPA files

and reports, an individual

report was prepared for each

site. Maps and charts are

included. 

▼

Superfund Guide to RCRA

Management Requirements

for Mineral Processing

Wastes. January 1991. OSWER9347.3-12FS. Order Number:

PB91-921 318 (NTIS). (5 pages)

Summarizes revisions to the

1980 mining waste exclusion,

explains the potential effects of

these revisions on waste management options for mineral

processing wastes, and provides a general framework for

managing mineral processing

wastes at CERCLA sites in

accordance with RCRA land

disposal restrictions and the

toxicity characteristics rule. 

under Subtitle C of RCRA.

Mining waste problems will be

addressed by developing a program for regulation under

Subtitle D. In the interim,

Superfund will continue to

address these mining waste

problems through the remedial

investigation and feasibility

study and record of decision

and enforcement decision document processes taking into

account current Subtitle D

requirements as well as

options for addressing risks not

addressed by Subtitle D

requirements.

X. REPORTS TO

CONGRESS ON

MINING WASTES

▼

Summary and Technical

Review of Supporting

Literature for the 1985 Report

to Congress on Wastes from

Extraction and Beneficiation

of Metallic Ores, Phosphate

Rock, Asbestos Overburden

from Uranium Mining, and Oil

Shale. October 1993. EPA530-R93-025. Order Number: PB94-

113 404 (NTIS). (126 pages)

Presents a technical review

of the sampling and analytical

data cited in the 1985 Report

to Congress on Wastes from

the Extraction and

▼

Report to Congress o

Wastes from Mineral

Processing: Summary 

Findings. July 1990. E

SW-90-070B (NSCEP). 

Summarizes findin

taining to special wa

mineral processing. I

sources and volumes 

rials generated per ye

presents disposal and 

tion practices; the po

danger to health and 

ment; documented an

proved cases of dang

health and environm

alternatives to curren

al methods and costs 

natives; impacts of

alternatives on use of 

phate rock, uranium 

other natural resourc

current and potential 

waste materials.

▼

Report to Congress o

Wastes from Mineral

Processing: Summary 

Findings; Methods an

Analysis; Appendices

1990. EPA530-SW-90-0

Order Number: PB90-

(NTIS). (643 pages)

Examines RCRA w

exemption for minera

cessing. Describes eve

the rulemaking proce

criteria used by EPA t
ural resources.

▼

Summary of Comments on

Mining Waste Report to

Congress. May 1986. EPA530-

SW-86-030. Order Number:

PB86-222 486/AS (NTIS). 

(87 pages)

Describes the approach

used to summarize comments

included in the document.

Lists companies, organizations, agencies, and individuals who responded. Organized

into five chapters covering

legal issues and procedures,

technical information, regulations, economics, and recommendations.

▼

Report to Congress: Wastes

from the Extraction and

Beneficiation of Metallic Ores,

Phosphate Rock, Asbestos,

Overburden from Uranium

Mining, and Oil Shale.

December 1985. EPA530-SW85-033. Order Number: PB88-

162 631 (NTIS). (293 pages)

Addresses wastes from the

extraction and beneficiation

of metallic ores (with special

disposal of solid wastes from

the extraction and beneficiation of ores and minerals.

Covers mine waste, mill tailings, and waste from heap

and dump leaching operations. Summarizes EPA’s findings on oil shales in

Appendix A.

XI. REGULATORY

RECOMMENDATIONS

▼

U.S. EPA Mine Waste Policy

Dialogue Committee Meeting

Summaries and Supporting

Material. March 1994. EPA530-

R-94-043. Order Number:

PB95-122 529 (NTIS). (114

pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Summaries of the 1991 to

1993 Policy Dialogue Committee

meetings and other information

describing the committee. The

purpose is to provide additional

technical, policy, and regulatory

information concerning the

domestic mining industry.

149 (NTIS). (1,157 page

Reports on the pro

regulatory, programm

fiscal impacts of EPA

Strawman II on state 

waste management p

Volume I provides pr

nary assessment of th

that EPA’s Strawman 

regulatory approach f

ing waste would hav

existing state program

environmental contro

management of minin

Volume II reports on 

impacts of EPA’s Stra

report from the partic

states of the Western

Governorship Associ

Mine Waste Task For

Volume III contains t

appendices to the rep

▼

Strawman II:

Recommendations fo

Regulatory Program f

Mining Wastes and M

Under Subtitle D of t

Resource Conservatio

Recovery Act. May 19

EPA530-SW-91-056. O

Number: PB91-178 41

(119 pages)

8
Discusses the scope of the

program and regulatory

approach. 

XII. LAND DISPOSAL

RESTRICTIONS,

PHASE IV

▼

Land Disposal Restrictions,

Phase IV - Treatment Standards

Proposed for Toxicity

Characteristic (TC) Metal and

Mineral Processing Wastes -

Proposed Rule. May 12, 1997.

Federal Register (62 FR 26041)

(RCRA Hotline). (44 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/

ldr/ldr-rule.htm>

The third proposed rule

related to treatment standards

for certain metal wastes and

wastes from mineral processing. EPA was seeking comment on a conditional

exclusion for secondary mineral processing materials, on

coprocessing of materials in

Bevill-exempt mining units,

and on whether certain mineral processing and mining

wastes currently excluded

from federal hazardous waste

regulations warranted regulatory controls.

hazwaste/ldr/ldrrule.htm>

Describes EPA’s reproposed

Land Disposal Restriction treatment standards for metal-bearing hazardous wastes, including

wastes from mineral processing

operations. Discusses how the

proposed revised Universal

Treatment Standards would

apply to wastes from mineral

processing operations, a group

of wastes not currently subject

to treatment standards. Seeks

comment on three specific

issues related to recycled secondary materials from mineral

processing and wastes excluded

by the Bevill amendment under

RCRA. The three issues were:

which materials are wastes and

which are in-process materials

outside EPA’s jurisdiction,

whether the Bevill exclusion

should extend to Bevill-exempt

mining facilities in which mineral processing wastes are

coprocessed, and whether the

risks posed by some Bevillexempt wastes warrant future

regulatory controls. 

▼

Docket Index: Land Disposal

Restrictions Phase IV: Second

Supplemental Proposal on

Treatment Standards for

Metal Wastes and Mineral

Processing Wastes, Mineral

Processing and Bevill

Exclusion Issues, and the Use

of Hazardous Waste as Fill.

Restrictions Phase IV: 

Supplemental Propos

Treatment Standards f

Wastes and Mineral P

Wastes, Mineral Proce

and Bevill Exclusion I

and the Use of Hazard

Waste as Fill.

▼

Identification and De

of Mineral Processing 

and Waste Streams. A

1998. RCRA Docket N

2P4F-FFFFF (RCRA Hot

RCRA Information Ce

(1,106 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswe

other/mining.htm>

Identifies waste str

duced by mineral pro

that could potentially 

one of the characterist

RCRA hazardous wast

mineral processing wa

stream is found to be 

ardous, it may be subj

Land Disposal Restric

The Agency cautions 

draft document shoul

construed to be an exc

list of mineral process

associated waste strea

types of mineral proce

waste streams might e

Each chapter contains 

metal-by-metal evalua

9
other/mining.htm>

Demonstrates that mineral

processing wastes are susceptible

to mismanagement. Discusses

the considerations incorporated

into the Agency’s expanded mismanagement scenario rationale,

specifically the basis for the

Agency’s conservative approach,

past incidents of codisposal of

mineral processing wastes with

municipal solid waste, and the

location of mineral processing

facilities relative to population

centers and sensitive environments. In addition, addresses the

American Mining Congress’ suggestion that the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure be

used as an alternative to the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure to determine the toxicity

of mineral processing wastes. 

▼

Mineral Processing Facilities

Placing Mixtures of Exempt

and Non-Exempt Wastes in

On-Site Waste Management

Units. April 1998. RCRA

Docket No. F-98-2P4F-FFFFF

(RCRA Hotline/ RCRA

Information Center). (10 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/

other/mining.htm>

Summarizes the Agency’s

review of waste disposal practices at mineral processing facilities to determine if such facilities

place, or have placed in the past,

mixtures of exempt and nonex

Center). (14 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Discusses the history of

Agency actions with regard to

remanded smelting wastes,

industrial smelting processes,

and waste management procedures, and provides a factual

basis for considering a no-list

decision. (See American

Mining Congress v. EPA, 907

F.2d 1179, D.C. Cir., 1990). 

▼

Lightweight Aggregate

Production and Air Pollution

Control Wastes. April 1998.

RCRA Docket No. F-98-2P4FFFFFF (RCRA Hotline/RCRA

Information Center). (16 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents EPA’s rationale for

withdrawing air pollution control (APC) dust and sludge generated in the production of

decision requesting EP

amine whether lightwe

aggregate APC dust/slu

eligible for coverage un

Mining Waste Exclusio

Corporation v. EPA 952 

D.C. Cir. 1991). Organi

eight sections with Sec

providing background 

tion. Section 2 briefly 

the commodity in ques

Sections 3 and 4 descr

production process an

resultant waste stream

tively. Section 5 discus

industry and market ch

tics and the potential i

EPA’s decision to with

Bevill Exclusion. Secti

revisits the rationale be

EPA’s decision to with

Bevill Exclusion based 

high-volume criterion. 

summarizes and respo

Solite’s arguments agai

high-volume criterion. 

Section 8 presents the 

sions of the document

10
Presents EPA’s factual basis

for proposing to withdraw titanium tetrachloride waste acids

(which implicitly includes iron

chloride) generated in the production of titanium tetrachloride

by the chloride-ilmenite process

from the RCRA Mining Waste

Exclusion. These wastes were

one of numerous mineral processing wastes made conditionally exempt from RCRA Subtitle

C requirements under the Bevill

Amendment to RCRA, (40 CFR

Part 261.4(b)(7)). Provides a

description of the DuPont chloride-ilmenite process and the

generation of the iron chloride

waste. Provides EPAs’ evaluation of the process, which serves

as the technical basis for EPA’s

determination regarding the regulatory status of the iron chloride waste. 

▼

Human Health and

Environmental Damages from

Mining and Mineral Processing

Wastes. April 1998. RCRA

Docket No. F-98-2P4F-FFFFF

(RCRA Hotline/RCRA

Information Center). (113 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Describes the human health

and environmental damages

caused by management of wastes

from mining (i.e., extraction and

beneficiation) and mineral processing, particularly damages

selected states; and soliciting the

help of EPA Region 10 in drafting new damage cases. 

▼

Site Visit Reports to Mines

and Mineral Processing

Facilities. April 1998. RCRA

Docket No. F-98-2P4F-FFFFF

(RCRA Hotline/RCRA

Information Center). (26 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

Presents information collected at five site visits to mines

and mineral processing facilities

conducted by the EPA. Each site

visit report includes information

about the types of wastes generated and how such wastes are

managed. Sites visited include

DuPont Antioch, California;

McLaughlin Gold Mine, Lower

Lake, California; Rand Gold

Mine, Randsburg, California;

Newmont North Operations

Gold Mine, Carlin, Nevada; and

Magma Copper and Cyprus

Miami Mines, Tucson, Arizona. 

▼

Regulatory Impact Analysis of

the Supplemental Proposed

Rule Applying Phase IV Land

Disposal Restrictions to Newly

Identified Mineral Processing

Wastes. May 1998. RCRA

Docket No. F-98-2P4F-FFFFF

(RCRA Hotline/RCRA

Information Center). (26 pages)

<www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/

mining.htm>

(60 FR 43654). EPA pr

standards for mineral 

ing wastes no longer e

from Subtitle C requir

under the Bevill exem

Proposed that previou

exempt Bevill minera

ing wastes must meet 

Universal Treatment S

before management or 

in a land-based unit. 

▼

Capacity Analysis Bac

Document. December 

RCRA Docket No. F-96

S0053 (RCRA Hotline/

Information Center). 

<www.epa.gov/epaoswe

mining.htm>

Presents the capacit

EPA conducted to supp

proposed Land Dispos

Restrictions Phase IV: N

Identified Mineral Pro

Wastes (Supplemental 

EPA conducted capaci

ses to evaluate the nee

national capacity varia

the land disposal proh

The capacity analysis p

estimates of the quanti

wastes that will requir

tive commercial treatm

to land disposal as a re

the LDRs and estimate

tive commercial treatm

capacity available to m

wastes restricted from 

posal. EPA proposed L

newly identified and l

eral processing wastes

11
12

(National Center for

Environmental Publications

and Information), was created

by EPA as the Agency’s central

repository and distribution

center for EPA publications.

NSCEP produces the Annual

EPA National Publications

Catalog and maintains an inhouse inventory of 5,000 current EPA publications available

to the public free of charge.

More than 420,000 documents

are distributed to a transnational audience on a monthly

basis. NSCEP is located in

Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Address:

U.S. EPA/NSCEP

P.O. Box 42419

Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419

Phone: 800 490-9198 or 

513 489-8190

Fax: 513 489-8695

Web address: www.epa.gov/

ncepihom 

E-mail: ncepi.mail@epamail.epa.gov

information produced by or for

the U.S. government as well as

complementary material from

international sources. Nearly 3

million products are available

from NTIS in a variety of formats including microfiche,

paper, diskette, audiovisual,

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Address: 

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5285 Port Royal Road

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To order by phone: 

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fee): 800 553-6847 or 

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ORDERS) 

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g

Pennsylvania, and Sp

Washington, were per

assigned to NIOSH. T

sion of the Office for M

Safety & Health Resea

conduct objective stud

research, experiments

demonstrations relate

mining and minerals 

the area of worker hea

worker safety, and dis

vention. 

Addresses:

National Institute f

Occupational Sa

Health (NIOSH) 

Office for Mine Saf

Health Research

Laboratories

Pittsburgh Research

Laboratory

Cochrans Mill Road

P.O. Box 18070

Pittsburgh, PA 1523

Spokane Research

Laboratory

315 E. Montgomery 

Spokane, WA 9920

Phone: 412 892-660

Fax: 412 892-6780

Web address:

www.cdc.gov/ni

E-mail: rkc6@cdc.g
13

Hotline’s document line. To

order online or by mail, send

your request to the RCRA

Information Center. Be sure to

include the document title and

the appropriate order number

in your request.

RCRA Hotline (RCRA,

Superfund & EPCRA Hotline)

The RCRA, Superfund &

EPCRA Hotline is a publicly

accessible service providing

up-to-date information on the

RCRA solid and hazardous

waste regulations, including

underground storage tanks. The

hotline answers questions and

provides guidance and policy

documents on all solid and

hazardous waste issues.

Phone: 800 424-9346 or 

703 412-9810

TDD (for the hearing

impaired): 800 553-7672

or 703 412-3323

Web address:

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/

hotline

RCRA Information Center

(5305W)

EPA Office of Solid Waste

401 M Street, SW.

Washington DC 20460

Web address:

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/

general/ricorder.htm

E-mail: RCRA-Docket@

epamail.epa.gov

tions. The Technical Library is

located on the mall level of the

Denver Place Building. Access

to the Library is through the

Environmental Information

Service Center.

Address:

U.S. EPA Region 8 

Technical Library

999 18th Street, Suite 500,

8OC-L

Denver, CO 80202

Phone: 303 312-6312 or 

800 227-8917 in Region 8

states

Fax: 303 312-7061

Web address: www.epa.gov/

region08/lib/lib-hom.html

E-mail: library.reg8@epa.gov

Headquarters

Phone: 703 308-8413

E-mail: hoffman.stephen

Elaine Suriano

NEPA/EIS Issues

U.S. EPA Office of Fed

Activities

Phone: 202 564-7162

E-mail: suriano.elaine

Joseph Tieger

Superfund Enforceme

U.S. EPA Office of Site

Remediation Enforce

Phone: 202 564-4276

E-mail: tieger.joe@epa

Carol Russell

Mining Issues

Region 8 Ecosystem P

and Remediation Off

Phone: 303 312-6310

E-mail: russell.carol@e

John Hillenbrand

Mining Issues

Region 9 Water Divisi

Phone: 415 744-1912

E-mail: hillenbrand.john

Nick Ceto

Regional Mining Coor

Region 10 Office of

Environmental Clean

Phone: 206 553-1816

E-mail: ceto.nick@epa

Bill Riley

Mining Coordinator

Region 10 Office of W

Phone: 206 553-1412

E-mail: riley.bill@epa.