For Additional Information:
John Grasser (202) 463-2651
Karen Batra (202) 463-2651

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2001

MINING'S TRI NUMBERS REPRESENT ORDINARY DIRT

The mining industry says the majority of the materials it reports under EPA's Toxics Release Inventory consists of naturally occurring minerals and elements that exist in low concentrations in all rock and soil and that all the materials reported are managed and contained on-site under state and federal regulations.

According to EPA's 1999 TRI released yesterday, the metals mining industry had the highest volume of "releases" of the 650 listed substances among all reporting industrial facilities.

"Typically 85 to 99 percent of what metal mines report is actually metal compounds that exist naturally in ordinary rock. As long as moving, storing, processing and managing rock are defined as 'releases' under TRI, the quantities reported by mining will likely be greater than those from other industries," said Gerard. "It is important that the public understands that difference," he added.

The EPA admits "TRI estimates alone are not sufficient to determine exposure or calculate potential adverse effects on human health and the environment." Environmental activists, however, consistently use the information in their attacks on industry.

Mining companies made public their TRI information when they filed their reports with EPA last summer and have been extremely cooperative in their efforts to explain to the public what these reports mean.

"America's mining operations are continually improving the quality of the environment in and around their mining communities," said Gerard, "and the industry is committed to ensuring the public receives meaningful information about today's safe, efficient and environmentally-sound operations."

The U.S. mining industry produces coal, metals, building materials, and many other essential minerals that define the daily lives of 267 million Americans. The mining industry generates over $500 billion in total economic benefit each year and helps to sustain nearly 5 million U.S. jobs.