95%
have mapped
their diffuse emissions

77%
reduction in channeled
dust emissions
between 2018 and 2023

The Group’s environmental policy sets out its commitments to preserving the environment and reducing the environmental impact of its activities, in particular by reducing atmospheric emissions, and by focusing on the most significant sources of this impact, with a view to promoting closer ties with neighboring communities.

As part of its “Act for Positive Mining” roadmap, the Group is committed to mitigating pollution risks and reducing its environmental impact (objective no. 6). This objective includes 2 monitoring indicators relating specifically to air emissions:

  • 100% of sites have a map and an action plan in place to reduce diffuse dust emissions.
  • 100% of sites identified as sensitive have set up a system for monitoring air quality in neighboring communities and share their data.

What are the main sources of our atmospheric emissions?

Most of the Group’s atmospheric emissions (dust, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides) are generated by our pyrometallurgical activities and the power plants operated by Eramet:

Femmes d'Avenir - Gabon

In pyrometallurgy, channeled emissions of dust and metals tend to be generated at several stages of the process: from materials handling, to pre-drying, pre-reduction and melting furnaces, to grinding and handling of by‑products and finished products;

Femmes d'Avenir - Gabon

Energy production, which is necessary when the site does not have access to grid power, gives rise to gas emissions, specifically sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and, to a lesser extent, dust.

Atmospheric emissions can vary according to the type of the raw materials and ores being used, the transfer and loading technologies in place, the pollution control equipment available and, above all, the level of activity at particular sites.

What are we doing to keep these emissions in check?

To limit dust and metal emissions, atmospheric effluent purification systems are generally installed at sites, including electrostatic precipitators, baghouses, scrubbers and washing towers. Treatment systems specific to certain pollutants and processes are also used, such as activated carbon filters or desiccants. These different types of equipment are installed depending on the type of industrial effluent involved, the desired purification results, and the regulations in force.

Wherever possible, the Group strives to use the best available techniques for filtering and/or treating atmospheric emissions. This is particularly true in the case of our European sites, where the best available techniques applicable to the production of non-ferrous metals are systematically implemented.

At the end of 2023, Eramet stepped up its efforts with the introduction of its “Air Standard,” which sets out the requirements applicable to all Group sites in terms of the management of atmospheric emissions. In addition to channeled emissions, the standard covers the management of diffuse emissions and the monitoring of ambient air quality for all sites located near residential areas.