Author Description

Atmospheric emissions of copper and nickel from various Canadian sources have been estimated for the year 1976. The data presented in this report are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Total copper emissions into the atmosphere in 1976 are estimated at 2795 tonnes. The largest contributor is the primary copper and nickel industry which accounts for 67% of the total. The mining operations of iron ore, copper ore, nickel ore, lead-zinc ores, asbestos, gold, silver, antimony, barite, tungsten and uranium together account for 10.6% and forest fires for a further 9.6%. On a geographical basis, Ontario accounts for 66.6% of total copper emissions in Canada. Total nickel emissions into the atmosphere in 1976 are estimated at 1769 tonnes. The largest contributor is the primary copper and nickel industry which accounts fro 48.1% of the total. The industrial combustion of fuel in stationary sources accounts for a further 24.1%. On a geographical basis, the province of Ontario accounts for 64.8% of total nickel emissions. A new copper smelter came on stream in Afton, British Columbia in mid-1978. It is not expected, however, that the copper and nickel emissions from this plant will significantly alter the relativity of the results presented in the inventory.