Minimizing emissions

As with all minerals, talc mining and processing generate dust. Dust emissions are controlled in order to provide employees with a healthy, safe and efficient workplace and to protect the local environment from dust deposition. Techniques used to minimize dust include wetting the mine haul roads, covering stock piles to prevent wind blow and water spraying of trucks before they go on public roads. In the processing plants, dust is captured by high-efficiency filters and suction systems and recycled through the production process. Continuous assessment and monitoring ensure dust levels are maintained below legal requirements. Noise levels are also regularly monitored and measures are taken to safeguard the health of employees and minimize noise nuisance to neighbouring communities. Wherever possible noisy machines are encased in a noise absorbing enclosure.

Talc processing requires some heating and drying and this produces gaseous emissions from fossil fuel burning. Although Luzenac remains well within the regulatory limits, it is progressively converting its plants from fuel oil to natural gas where available. This results in lower sulphur emissions and lower emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. A preventative maintenance program is operated for all mining and process plant equipment to optimize fuel efficiency and thus minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Wherever possible, the talc ore is transported from our mines to the processing plants by cableway, rather than by truck. At Luzenac in the French Pyrenees, this eco-efficient, noiseless system avoids 15,000 return truck trips per year, i.e., one every three minutes!