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Appendix 6.8 Inco Limited, Port Colborne, Ontario
Profile
The Inco operation at Port Colborne Ontario is composed of refining operations for
cobalt and precious metals.
Process Description
The Port Colborne facility commissioned a Cobalt plant in the 1980s which was
constructed as a best available technology hydrometallurgical plant.
The other plant located at the site is a precious metals refinery which is also a
hydrometallurgical process.
The nickel remelt furnaces were shut down in July 1995 and have since been removed.
The refinery input/output diagram is shown in Figure A6.8.1.
Figure A6.8.1 Inco Port Colborne Cobalt Refinery Process Flow Sheet
Click to view full version.
Releases
Releases are detailed in Table A6.8.1 and Figure A6.8.2.
Table A6.8.1 Releases to Air and Water and Off-site Transfers
by Inco Port Colborne, Ontario (tonnes) (Cobalt Refinery)
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0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
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0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
| 0.0 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
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2.2 |
0.7 |
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| 2.3 |
3.0 |
1.2 |
0.8 |
| 0.7 |
1.0 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
| 3.0 |
4.0 |
1.8 |
1.4 |
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0.0 |
0.0 |
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2000 Projections:
The plant was modified in 1995 and shut down pyrometallurical operations.
Projections for 1996 have been used as the projections for 2000.
Figure A6.8.2 Inco Port Colborne Releases to Air and Water
Click to view full version.
Click to view full version.
Click to view full version.
There are no major air emission sources at the site. Individual process requiring
venting are treated by wet scrubbing prior to release.
The waste water treatment plant treats effluents from both plants as well as treating
surface runoff from the site. The treatment is a lime adjustment of pH for metal removal.
Regulatory and Non-Regulatory Programs
Environmental aspects of Incos operations in Port Colborne are regulated by the
Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Energy. Certificates of Approval govern
individual emission sources. In addition the Ontario Environmental Protection Act
(EPA) Regulations specify Point of Impingement Standards for the CEPA substances
under review.
This facility constructed the waste water treatment plant under the authority of a
Certificate of approval and is currently governed by the IMIS Guidelines. Effluent
quality will also be regulated in 1997 by Ontario under the MISA Limits Regulation for
the Metal Mining Sector under the EPA.
Monitoring and Research
Extensive characterization of water discharges was carried out in the early 1990s in
preparation for MISA Limits Regulation for the Metal mining sector under the
Environmental protection Act.
Programs and Plans
1997
Preparatory work for the implementation of the MISA Regulations
including monitoring, testwork and changes to water treatment prior to
discharge.
Issues
This facility uses best available technology hydrometallurgical processes. There are no
major air emission sources at this site. Other issues relate to management of site runoff
and will be addressed through continual improvement programs on an ongoing basis.
Any work planned for the future must anticipate the impact of other initiatives such as
the Acidifying Emissions Taskforce as well as the current review of particulate size
considerations.
Technical Options to Achieve Further Release Reductions
No clear options exist at the present time as this facility currently uses best available
technology.
There is an active program at the site for review of environmental priorities. This
program will continue to review issues and technology available to further reduce
emissions.
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