Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (Lock A locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Ore Mining and Dressing Effluent Guidelines
The EPA promulgated the Ore Mining and Dressing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 440Exit EPA’s website) 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.
On this page:
* What is Ore Mining and Dressing?
* Facilities Covered
* Preliminary Study
* Rulemaking History
* Additional Information
What is Ore Mining and Dressing?
Related Information * NPDES policy documents for mining facilities * Stormwater fact sheet (Sector G)
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 440Exit EPA’s website.) 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 CExit EPA’s website) and the Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing Category (40 CFR Part 421Exit EPA’s website).
Facilities Covered
The Ore Mining and Dressing Effluent Guidelines apply to facilities in 12 subcategories: * Iron Ore (Subpart AExit EPA’s website) * Aluminum Ore (Subpart BExit EPA’s website) * Uranium, Radium and Vanadium Ores (Subpart CExit EPA’s website) * Mercury Ore (Subpart DExit EPA’s website) * Titanium Ore (Subpart EExit EPA’s website) * Tungsten Ore (Subpart FExit EPA’s website) * Nickel Ore (Subpart GExit EPA’s website) * Vanadium Ore (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct) (Subpart HExit EPA’s website) * Antimony Ore (Subpart IExit EPA’s website) * Copper, Lead, Zinc, Gold, Silver, and Molybdenum Ores (Subpart JExit EPA’s website) * Platinum Ores (Subpart KExit EPA’s website) * Gold Placer Mining (Subpart MExit EPA’s website)
Metals coverage under Effluent Guidelines
- Click to enlarge
Additionally, Subpart LExit EPA’s website contains general provisions and definitions for the category.
Preliminary Study
The EPA conducted a study of the copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, and molybdenum sectors in consideration of possible revisions to the existing Effluent Guidelines. * Preliminary Study Report (2011)
Rulemaking History
1988 Amendment
Added Subpart M (BPT, BAT and NSPS)
* Documents, including:
* Final Rule (May 24, 1988)
* Development Document
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
* Proposed Rule (November 20, 1985)
1982 Amendment
Added BAT and NSPS requirements; some subcategories reorganized/renamed * Documents, including: * Final Rule (December 3, 1982) * Development Document * Proposed Rule (June 14, 1982)
1979 Amendment
Amended 1978 rule; deleted cyanide limitation for base and precious metals mines using froth flotation process * Final Rule (March 1, 1979)
1978 Amendment
Revised BPT * Documents, including: * Clarification Notice (February 8, 1979) * Final Rule (July 11, 1978) * Development Document * Proposed Rule (November 6, 1975)
1975 Initial Rulemaking
Established BPT requirements * Documents, including: * Notice of Suspension (May 24, 1976) * Interim Final Rule (November 6, 1975) * Development Document
Additional Information
For additional information regarding the Ore Mining and Dressing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Steve Whitlock (whitlock.steve@epa.gov) or 202-566-1541.
Effluent Guidelines
Open Sidenav Menu Close Sidenav Menu Contact Us About Effluent Guidelines Contact Us About Effluent Guidelines to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on July 23, 2025 Welcome! Please share your feedback on how we can make www.epa.gov work better for you. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.
Success
Thank you. Your feedback has been received.
Error
alert message Required Questions - page 1 of 2 question_55203_answer_01 How would you rate your experience on www.epa.gov today? *
0 Stars 1 Star 2 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars 5 Stars Please explain the reason for your rating. * 400 characters allowed Would you like to take two more minutes to answer more questions to help us improve our services? Yes, keep going → No, only submit these responses Optional questions - page 2 of 2 How would you describe yourself? Business Government employee Scientist Student Other Enter other text Please tell us why you visited www.epa.gov today. 400 characters allowed Did you visit www.epa.gov to accomplish a specific task? If yes, please explain why you were able or unable to accomplish your task. 400 characters allowed How can we make www.epa.gov a more helpful website? 400 characters allowed Submit [NPDES]: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [NAICS]: North American Industrial Classification System [BPT]: Best Practicable Technology Currently Available [BAT]: Best Available Technology Economically Achievable [NSPS]: New Source Performance Standards [*]: required