Review

Review of Cr(VI) environmental practices in the chromite mining and smelting industry -

Relevance to development of the Ring of Fire, Canada

http://www.oulu.fi/sites/default/files/content/2017BeukesetalReviewofCrVIenvironmentalpracticesinthechromiteminingandmeltingindustryeRelevancetodevelopmentoftheRingofFireCanada.pdf

Received in revised form

21 July 2017

Accepted 21 July 2017

Available online 22 July 2017

Assessments of all process steps associated with conventional ferrochrome production indicated that smelting will lead to the formation of unintended small amounts of Cr(VI) (mg.kg1 concentration range), irrespective of the technology applied. However, this review proved that it will be possible to produce ferrochrome without causing occupational/community health issues related to Cr(VI), as well as environmental pollution, if appropriate preventative and mitigation measures are applied. Apart from Cr(VI) related considerations, it is acknowledged that factors such as physical and chemical characteristics of the ore, capital and operational costs, specific electricity consumption, carbon footprint, and availability of expertise will determine what process options will be implemented….

Overall it can be stated that it is possible to produce FeCr without causing Cr(VI) occupational and community health issues, as well as environmental pollution. For instance, Huvinen and 

Pukkala (2013, 2016) conducted a cohort study of personnel employed by the Finnish FeCr and stainless steel industries during the period 1967e2004 and found that these workers did not have

an increased mortality or cancer risk, when compared with the general population. Also, no significant Cr(VI) environmental pollution have been reported for the Finnish chromite mining and smelting industries….