The industry profile presents the results of the EPA's research into the domestic copper mining industry and is one of a series of profiles of major mining sectors. The report briefly characterizes the geology of copper ores and the economics of the industry. Following this discussion is a review of copper extraction and beneficiation methods; this section provides the context for description of wastes and materials managed by the industry, as well as a discussion of the potential environmental effects that may result from copper mining. The report concludes with a description of the current regulatory programs that apply to the copper mining industry as implemented by EPA, federal land management agencies, and selected states. Appendices include summary of comments and EPA responses, case studies of published information on mine waste management practices at copper mines, NPL and 304(l) site summaries related to copper mining, acronym list, asarco and copper range company comments on draft site visits reports, and EPA's responses to those comments.

"August 1994." "EPA 530-R-94-031." "NTIS PB94-200979." Cover title. Includes bibliographical references.