ADEQ Director Steve Owens announced today that he's signed 2 air quality control permits for the Phelps Dodge mine & smelter facilities near Miami in Gila County.
The 2 permits are a renewal permit for the mine & a revision for the smelter's permit to add a coal injection system & an associated dust collector. The permits limit emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide & volatile organic compounds.
"These permits will limit emissions of particulate matter from the facilities, while enabling the mining operations to be conducted productively," Owens said. "These permits also limit visible emissions, as well as dust contamination that could affect residents & their property."
Owens noted that the permits will keep emissions below the levels that would classify the mine as a major source of pollution. In addition, the company will use low sulfur fuel & take other steps to keep emissions down.
The Miami area's currently designated as a federal non-attainment area for coarse particulate matter 10 micrometers or smaller in size (known as PM10). Last year, at Owens' urging, EPA granted ADEQ's request to designate the area as in attainment for sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. The area had been in attainment for SO2 since 1985 due to new pollution-control equipment, but EPA did not change the designation until the issue was pursued by Owens & ADEQ.
"It's important to recognize the real progress that is being made to improve air quality in communities like Miami," Owens said.