EPA promulgated the Ore Mining and Dressing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 440) in 1975, and amended the regulation in 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1988. The regulation covers wastewater discharges from ore mines and processing operations. The Ore Mining Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits.

• What is Ore Mining and Dressing?
• Facilities Covered
• Preliminary Study
• Rulemaking History
• Additional Information

What is Ore Mining and Dressing?

Mine operators extract ores (metal-bearing rock) from underground mines and surface mines using machinery, explosives and chemicals. Extraction processes include dressing (picking, sorting, washing of ores), milling (crushing, grinding, etc.) and beneficiation (processing to improve purity/quality).

Wastewater is generated during the mining process from groundwater produced during ore extraction, from water used by operators for equipment cooling and dust control, and from precipitation entering mines. Wastewater is also produced during the ore milling and beneficiation processes (e.g., chemical leaching), and from contaminated stormwater at storage facilities.

These activities are included within NAICS code 2122, metal ore mining. (Note: the NAICS group listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Ore Mining regulations. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 440.)

Note: Smelting (heating the ore mixtures to separate liquid metal and impurities) is covered in the Iron and Steel Manufacturing Category (40 CFR Part 420, Subpart C) and the Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing Category (40 CFR Part 421).

Facilities Covered

Preliminary Study

Rulemaking History

1988 Amendment

• Documents, including:
  • Final Rule: 53 FR 18764, 5/24/1988
  • Development Document
  • Proposed Rule: 50 FR 47982, 11/20/1985

1982 Amendment

• Documents, including:
  • Final Rule: 47 FR 54598, 12/3/1982
  • Development Document
  • Proposed Rule: 47 FR 25682, 6/14/1982

1979 Amendment

• Final Rule: 44 FR 11546, 3/1/1979

1978 Amendment

• Documents, including:
  • Clarification: 44 FR 7953, 2/8/1979
  • Final Rule: 43 FR 29771, 7/11/1978
  • Proposed rule: 40 FR 51738, 11/6/1975
• The 1978 Development Document (EPA 440/1-78/061e, April 1978) is available from NTIS. [www.ntis.gov] Vol. 1: PB286520. Vol. 2: PB286521.)

1975 Initial Rulemaking

• Documents, including:
  • Notice of Suspension: 41 FR 21191, 5/24/1976
  • Interim Final Rule: 40 FR 51722, 11/6/1975
  • Development Document

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Ore Mining and Dressing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Ron Jordan (jordan.ronald@epa.gov) or 202-566-1003.

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