EPA threatens lead producers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently indicated that it is preparing a position paper dedicated to the eventual banning of lead mining south of the border and to the importance of recycling. “Lead could become the next asbestos,” says John White, executive vice-president of mine development and engineering for Noranda Minerals. “And we had better not be caught sleeping.” White sounded the warning at the local branch meeting of the Mineral Economics Division of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum held in Toronto.

About 78% of all lead consumed in the U.S. goes into batteries like those used every morning by millions of Americans to start their cars. (There is about 20 lb. of lead in each car battery and each battery lasts about 40 months.) In the late 1980s, Canadian asbestos producers had their U.S. export markets decimated by EPA regulations. Significant funds were spent removing asbestos insulation from buildings in the U.S.

White calls those efforts “a shameful waste of money due to mass hysteria.” “Having successfully legislated asbestos out of existence,” White says, “we are concerned that the EPA could do the same to lead.” Since the OECD closely mirrors regulations established in Washington, and since Canadian primary lead producers export much of their product to the U.S. (about 70,000 tonnes in 1990), the move could have significant implications for domestic lead producers, which last year produced an estimated 192,000 tonnes of the dense, maleable metal.

Brunswick Mining & Smelting (TSE), 64.3% owned by Noranda (TSE), generates significant gross revenues from lead in the mining and processing of lead-zinc ores in Bathurst, N.B. Brunswick would find its zinc production severely affected by any move to keep lead in the ground.

That operation is currently operating at reduced capacity because of a strike. Another major Canadian lead producer, Curragh Resources (TSE), is also affected by a strike and a third, Cominco Ltd., has had its lead production curtailed by technical problems associated with a new smelting process at its Trail, B.C., facility.

White says lead does cause adverse health effects but disagrees with the need to eliminate the risk and says the dangers are greatly exaggerated. He says the best way to fight the EPA is not to argue with their “questionable” science. Rather, Canadian lead producers should be persistent and positive in arguing for the safe use of lead and to encourage product stewardship.

Ambient lead emissions in the U.S. were down by 87% in the 1980-89 period, according to the EPA itself, White says. “This indicates the record is a lot better than is widely believed. We just need to tell the story better.” Worldwide, the use of lead is on the increase — by about 1.7% per year — with southeast Asia posting a 5.8% increase in 1990. About 62% of all lead (primary and secondary) used in the western world (about 4.4 million tonnes per year) goes into the manufacture of batteries.