The Minerals and Metals Branch of the National Office of Pollution Prevention is Environment Canada's center of expertise pertaining to the environmental aspects of mining, mineral and metallurgical industries.

It is the role of the Branch to:

1. examine the release of toxic substances and other pollutants from the minerals and metals sectors;
2. identify options for the management of toxic substances and other pollutants;
3. develop environmental performance standards which limit the release of toxic substances and other pollutants; and
4. monitor compliance with regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Fisheries Act.

The Minerals and Metals Branch undertakes compliance promotion activities. Included in its activities are ongoing reviews of metal and mining technologies and practices related to:

• production and processes;
• pollution prevention; and
• pollution control.

The Branch also contributes to the implementation of the:

• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Heavy Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants Protocols under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP);
• Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (CCAEC); and
• other international environmental activities related to the minerals and metals sectors.

Industries that fall within the Branch's mandate include:

• minerals exploration;
• mining and milling;
• metals smelting and refining;
• iron and steel manufacturing;
• metals processing;
• metals foundries;
• metals fabrication; and
• cement, concrete and asphalt processing.

Products of the Minerals and Metals Sectors include:

Division Organization

• Metals Processing Section
• Minerals Processing Section