Precious Metals Recovery LLC RCRA Permit Application Dry Hills ...

INTRODUCTION
Precious Metals Recovery LLC (PMR), a subsidiary of Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc. (BGMI), is
designing a mercury recovery and storage facility to service the mercury management needs for
Barrick Gold Corporation’s subsidiary operations in the US. Based on an anticipated change in
mercury management requirements as a result of the implementation of the Mercury Export Ban
Act of 2008 (MEBA), Barrick Gold of North America, Inc. (BGNA), a subsidiary of Barrick
Gold Corporation that provides management and technical services for Barrick Gold
Corporation’s subsidiary operations in the US, has decided that owning and managing a
specialized mercury treatment and storage facility (TSF) represents the most effective and
reliable means of managing mercury for Barrick operations in the US. Although elemental
mercury is not necessarily managed as a hazardous waste, PMR is preparing the management of
mercury at this facility to be in compliance with current state and federal solid and hazardous
waste regulations. Mercury products (including elemental mercury) are not hazardous wastes as
of the date of this Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B Permit Application.
Throughout this application, references are made to regulations of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) for hazardous waste management, found in Chapter 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Parts 264 and 270. The State of Nevada is an EPA authorized state for the
administration of the EPA’s hazardous waste program. Federal regulations have been adopted by
reference in the rules of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).
In July 1987, the State of Nevada promulgated rules (NAC 444.8456) that specify particular
requirements be met prior to locating a new hazardous waste TSF within the state. According to
these rules, a Certificate of Designation (COD) may be issued per Nevada Administrative Code
(NAC) 444.8458, when the Administrator of NDEP deems the proposed facility is in accordance
with the location requirements and the operation will be in the best interest of the state. This
application follows the October 8, 2012 issuance of a COD by the Administrator of NDEP to
PMR to site a TSF at this location.
PMR is a newly formed company which proposes to construct a TSF, the Dry Hills Facility, as
defined in this RCRA Part B Permit Application. This application details the process and facility
designed to treat, store, and manage mercury and mercury-bearing materials generated primarily
by BGMI near Carlin, Nevada. This application also proposes to accept mercury and mercurybearing
materials from other Barrick mines and associated joint venture operations in the United
States.
PMR has selected a suitable site on the Dean Ranch in the Crescent Valley, located in Eureka
County, Nevada, USA. The site, which has an Assessor Parcel Number (APN) #005-530-17, is
owned by PMR. The site is a separate parcel within the proposed TSF compound that will
comprise the RCRA area (i.e., the proposed TSF). Part A of the RCRA permit application which
requests an EPA ID number for the proposed TSF is included with this submittal. No
PMR RCRA Permit Application, Dry Hills Facility Page 1
JBR Environmental Consultants, Inc. | HATCH March 2013