Mineral processing

Smelting

• Produces toxic substances that must be disposed of
• Emits toxic fumes
• Devices to control atmospheric contamination turn the toxins into solid waste that still must be disposed

Inco's Copper cliff processing facility

Sudbury, Canada

Widespread ecological effects

• 40 sq. miles: completely barren
• 140 sq. miles: shrub and herbaceous only
• 1,700 sq. miles: vegetation affected
• Sudbury considered one of the most polluted cities
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