Pyrometallurgy and the environment: at what cost?

Relevant UK legislation and developments in other countries are identified and an attempt is made to clarify the implications for actual or potential liabilities and costs. While there is legislation of direct application to the pyrometallurgical industry, such as the EU Framework Directive on combatting air pollution from industrial plants (84/360/EEC), the prospect of legislation currently directed at other industries being applied to pyrometallurgical processes cannot be ignored. In England and Wales the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is the most significant source of legislation, regulating air and water pollution, while management of landfill waste disposal is delegated to the county waste regulation authorities. Waste management facilities are licensed under the 1994 regulations; points for preliminary consideration by potential operators include choice of leachability testing method and the possibility of producing designer wastes. Forward planning for plant decommissioning and rehabilitation is also crucial. Despite the "polluter pays" principle, the costs of pollution are borne by society as consumers, taxpayers or victims; legislation is shifting the emphasis on to the consumer.
Relevant UK legislation and developments in other countries are identified and an attempt is made to clarify the implications for actual or potential liabilities and costs. While there is legislation of direct application to the pyrometallurgical industry, such as the EU Framework Directive on combatting air pollution from industrial plants (84/360/EEC), the prospect of legislation currently directed at other industries being applied to pyrometallurgical processes cannot be ignored. In England and Wales the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is the most significant source of legislation, regulating air and water pollution, while management of landfill waste disposal is delegated to the county waste regulation authorities. Waste management facilities are licensed under the 1994 regulations; points for preliminary consideration by potential operators include choice of leachability testing method and the possibility of producing designer wastes. Forward planning for plant decommissioning and rehabilitation is also crucial. Despite the "polluter pays" principle, the costs of pollution are borne by society as consumers, taxpayers or victims; legislation is shifting the emphasis on to the consumer.