EPA v. MAGMA COPPER COMPANY

Case summary

THISREFERRAL IS ONE OF THREE RELATED REFERRALS SEEKING TO REQUIRE THE MAGMA COPPER CO TO PAY CIVIL PENALTIES AS A RESULT OF ITS FAILURE TO CONTROL DISCHARGES, CHIEFLY RELEASES AND SEE PAGES OF PROCESS WATER, MINE DRAINAGE WATER, ACID AND DISSOLVED COPPER SOLUTIONS, AND CONTAINATED STORMWATER, AND TO CONTROL DISCHARGES OF ITS TAILINGS, IN VIOLATION OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA), AT THREE FACILITIES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE COMPANY IN SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA. THE FACILITIES ARE KNOWN AS THE PINTO VALLEY OPERATIONS, SUPERIOR MINING DIVISION, AND COPPER CITIES UNIT. THE REFERRAL ALSO SEEKS TO OBTAIN A DECREE REQUIRING THAT MAGMA FULLY ACHIEVE, AND THEREAFTER MAINTAIN, COMPLIANCE WITH THE CWA AT THOSE FACILITIES. COPPER MINING, PROCESSING, AND LEACHING OPERATIONS AT THE COPPER CITIES UNIT WERE CONDUCTED BY MAGMA'S PREDECESSORS AND CEASED PRIOR TO 1983. MAGMA PRESENTLY USES THE FACILITY AS A DISPOSAL SITE FOR REPROCESSED TAILINGS PUMPED IN SLURRY FORM FROM ANOTHER FACILITY OPERATED BY THE PINTO VALLEY MINING DIVISION. THE MAJOR DISCHARGES WHICH FORM THE BASIS OF THE REFERRAL HAVE COME FROM A SEEPAGE COLLECTION FACILITY AT THE BASE OF THE DUMP LEACH OPERATION, AND SPILLAGE OF INDUSTRAIL WATER.

Defendants (1)

• MAGMA COPPER

Facilities (1)

• B H P COPPER MIAMI UNIT

  HWY 60 AND DAVIS CANYON RD, MIAMI, AZ, 85539

  Registry ID: 110008257787

Statutes cited

• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 1992-02-24Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1992-09-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1994-09-29Complaint Filed With Court
• 1994-11-08Concluded
• 1994-11-08Enforcement Action Closed