Apoyo al Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible en el diagnóstico sobre la implementación de mejores técnicas y mejores prácticas ambientales en la industria siderúrgica del cobre y aluminio en Colombia

Abstract

World metal consumption is led by iron, secondly, aluminum and closely followed by copper. In Colombia, the metallurgical sector totaled 17.7% of the national real production, being one of the bases of the current Colombian industrial development. The secondary metal industry is sustainable because metals are infinitely recyclable and the atomic structure of copper and aluminum is not altered during the smelting process, so it is possible to completely recycle without loss of quality or economic value. Likewise, the energy expenditure for the production of aluminum in a secondary process represents 5% of the total energy required for a primary production. Best Available Techniques (BAT) are those applied to the production process, technically relevant for their effectiveness, commercially available and that can be found in both present and future facilities, are characterized by: generating little waste, using less dangerous substances, promoting recovery, reducing use of raw materials, increase the efficiency of energy consumption, prevent or minimize the overall impact of emissions and risks to the environment, reduce the risk of accidents and reduce their consequences for the environment. The Best Environmental Practices (BEP) are based on the realization of a series of actions whose purpose is to improve the environment in the workplace, reducing systematic or accidental losses of materials, in the form of pollutants, whether waste, emissions or spills. This document collects information on the production process of copper and aluminum at an international level, also shows the state of the Colombian industry with information on files found in the facilities of environmental authorities and field visits, additionally exposes in a general way the stages of the production process, the environmental problem and the corresponding effects on the production of aluminum and copper from the smelting of scrap metal. As well as presenting the BAT and BEP that can be applied in the sector seeking to reduce the generation of pollutants among which are unintentional POPs and thus improve the competitiveness of companies and comply with the Stockholm Convention.