Sustainable Mining and Metallurgy

Soil contamination hazards were identified in a certain copper smelter as per applicable standards in order to protect the soil. Focusing on areas of liquid storage and transportation, cargo storage and transportation, production, etc., sites were identified where leakage, loss and dispersion of hazardous and noxious substances is possibly/likely to occur and inspections were conducted on associated installation and operation as well as the development and implementation of soil pollution management system. Results show that soil and groundwater contamination hazards exist in some areas of the plant, such as the acid making area and the waste acid treatment area. Corrective actions were proposed as per applicable regulations.