largest united_states copper recycled sources maximum output tons year approximately half entire copper output called secondary copper company website described world largest copper reported estimated revenue listed 23rd largest privately held company united_states company history environmental problems entire career problems managing products eventually convicted water pollution offences spanning decade federal law company site site history company originated june illinois corporation march delaware corporation company changed employed staff member november company filed chapter bankruptcy following conviction federal court fine million ceo charged counts conspiracy violate clean water act violation clean water act counts making false statements plant closed promptly sealed tagged assessment public health hazards location site flood plain near mississippi_river illinois village illinois population approximately approximately mile north site nearest residential area mitchell small community approximately mile southeast lewis sight premises site domestic agricultural industrial water consumers nearby communities including parts wider area site south known main site operations conducted acre area owned hundreds acres farm land described years plant operations acquired settle disputes nearby farmers mississippi_river tributaries mile site local properties served wells wetlands area south site popular recreational fishermen operation production major producer high purity copper derived secondary sources recycled materials received plant large quantities smaller quantities corporation network warehouses spanned united_states canada enabled material graded pre locally plant copper purity emerged intermediate product number years produce higher purity copper purity company later discontinued copper sold copper weighing process copper bearing material produce black copper containing lead tin black copper refined oxygen producing copper containing lead tin number heavy metals described extracted gases system waste product term lead elements present agency toxic substances disease registry noted generation management waste products long term issue unwilling recognize problem company literature statements emphasized facility recycled materials waste streams generated end result recycling activity solid accumulated material stored directly ground little attempt provide barriers work practices limit prosecution conviction september enforcement officer discovered hidden pipe toxic waste tributary mississippi_river investigations showed secret pipe active years large area wetland contaminated lead times threshold public health hazard visible evidence contamination extended feet bed property owned grand jury testimony witness estimated plant discharged waste pipe days thirteen employees testified pipe discharge contaminated water additionally discharged contaminated storm water time plant pump automatically triggered laden storm water secret pipe prosecution calculated automatic process occurred times year period calculated inches rain fell gallons water gather collection basin large volume contaminated water pumped hampered investigation illegal activity making false statements sentencing court described conduct december president placed federal wanted list fled usa trial eventually paid half million dollars charges dropped air borne production scientific study individually names individual contributors deposition land total potential sources united_states report puts effort detailed report response evidence especially vulnerable long range air transport significant sources kilometers boundaries concentrations mothers milk twice levels observed southern quebec elevated content indigenous diet traditional foods fish marine mammals source air borne produced process coated wire including covered wire computer parts routinely mix grades scrap copper charge report notes presence copper feed believed increase formation describes accepted material firm known contamination investigated april sampled area plant manage collected system found concentration parts billion result assessment unit raised concerns sediments fish population reports initial fears proved summer staff illinois collected fish samples sections buffalo collected closest northern lake illegal pipe discharged buffalo collected southern section portions analyzed elevated levels chemicals found finding conjunction shows entirely released emissions called gas stack emissions known environmental problems long history violations example august september taking air readings caught semi articulated trucks water air monitors clean air act period single biggest producer atmospheric lead united_states united_states civil claim clean air act pay civil penalty required provide relief including installation continuous mass monitor system produced high purity process large amounts acid according agency toxic substances disease registry times reportedly release visible acid mist drifting nearby farm fields notes process required management large amounts acidic waste capable heavy metals according illinois memo strong acid bath believed releasing material years sampling events measured low values acidic high values high levels resulted company materials attempt standing acidic surface water acidic conditions typically increase metals allow mobility metal hazardous site included cleaning machine parts half years discovery secret pipe failed present plan contaminated area shut site sealed began process prove protracted years later possible fully complete process interviewed early illinois inspector discovered secret pipe chances rapid site suggested clear years reported canadian firm wanted tackle challenge safely metallic content site proposed plan needing feasibility study approval contractor outlined deal extract valuable metals copper tin lead aluminium site report describes work design provide install equipment site million provide million cleanup estate operate plant pay royalties lease payments spoke proposed scheme non remain site given green light ahead work estimated years complete site march site added lead contamination site nearby wetlands lack available resources bankrupt necessitated proposal site enable use federal funds build enforcement case ensure clean site oversee clean site affected areas site listed support illinois began search potentially responsible parties liable clean november issued potential liability group currently working plans negotiate settlement performance site define nature extent contamination associated site present options long term affected areas completion report select remedy site input community copper industry trade magazine covering metals industry news noted closing secondary ill marked end large scale secondary copper united_states writing recycling today goes observe report notes secondary copper plants served basis emissions estimates shut similar secondary copper constructed taylor notes establish standards ill philadelphia plant
Chemetco