US EPA

82282 

Journal Article 

Review 

Environmental impacts of metal ore mining and processing: a review 

Dudka, S; Adriano, DC 

1997 

Yes 

Journal of Environmental Quality
ISSN: 0047-2425
EISSN: 1537-2537 

BIOSIS/97/17460 

26 

3 

590-602 

English 

10.2134/jeq1997.00472425002600030003x 

WOS:A1997WZ34900010 

https://www.agronomy.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/26/3/JEQ0260030590
Exit
 

BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. The impact of mining and smelting of metal ores on environmental quality is described. Mines produce large amounts of waste because the ore is only a small fraction of the total volume of the mined material. In the metal industry, production of Cu, Pb, and Zn causes the greatest degradation of the environment. Copper mining produces extensive mine wastes and tailings and Co smelting emits approximately 0.11 Mg of S per Mg of Co produced in the USA. Zinc and Pb smelters release large quantities of Cd and Pb into the environment. Metal smelting and refining produce gaseous (CO2, SO2, NOx, etc.) and particulate matter emissions, sewage waters, and solid wastes. Soil contamination with trace metals is considered a serious problem related to smelting; however, mining and smelting are not main sources of global metal input into soils. Other sources like discarded manufactured products, coal ash, agriculture, and transportation take a lead. Smelters are the main sources of atm 

Ecology; Biochemical Studies-Minerals; Public Health: Environmental Health-Sewage Disposal and Sanitary Measures; Public Health: Environmental Health-Air; Soil Science-Physics and Chemistry (1970- )