The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed tighter emissions regulations on iron ore mines.
On 5 May, the EPA proposed to amend its 2003 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for taconite iron ore processing plants.
The proposed changes would further limit emissions of acid gases and mercury. The EPA has identified new technology, specifically wet furnace controls, that would further reduce emissions of the listed materials.
The affected facilities are owned by integrated steelmakers Cleveland-Cliffs and US Steel, with two facilities in Michigan and six in Minnesota.
The EPA estimated that capital investments to reduce acid gas and mercury emissions would total $91.1mn, with annual costs being $53.9mn.
The majority of those costs would be on reducing mercury emissions.
A US Steel spokeswoman said the company is currently reviewing the prepublication version of the NESHAP rule, while a Cleveland-Cliffs spokeswoman noted the EPA is proposing a rule change and had no further comment.
