[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Steve Owens Announces Air Quality Control Permits for Phelps Dodge Miami Facilities in Gila County

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Steve Owens Announces Air Quality Control Permits for
Phelps Dodge Miami Facilities in Gila County

PHOENIX (Nov. 21, 2007) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced today that he has signed two air
quality control permits for the Phelps Dodge mine and smelter facilities
near Miami in Gila County.

The two permits are a renewal permit for the mine and a revision for the
smelter's permit to add a coal injection system and an associated dust
collector. The permits limit emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen
oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and 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 and 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 and take other steps to keep emissions
down.

The Miami area is 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 and ADEQ.

"It's important to recognize the real progress that is being made to
improve air quality in communities like Miami," Owens said.   

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News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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