EWC Code
Solid wastes from gas treatment
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
3.6 million tonnes/year EU copper recycling
Valorisation Range
€1.2B secondary copper market
Primary Route
Slag processing and aggregate use
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Get contacts for EWC 10 06 06EWC 10 06 06 is a specific sub-code under EWC 10 06 — Wastes from copper thermal metallurgy. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Copper thermal metallurgy generates slag, flue dust, anode slimes and refractory waste across primary smelting, converting and fire-refining operations. Primary copper smelting from concentrate produces converter slag containing 1–5% copper and significant iron, silica and sulphur values. Anode slimes from electrolytic refining contain gold, silver, platinum group metals and selenium, making them highly valuable secondary products.
Copper slag is generated in large volumes from primary smelting; EU production exceeds 2 million tonnes/year. Slow-cooled crystalline slag contains fayalite and has proven applications as abrasive blasting grit, cement substitute and road aggregate. Granulated copper slag quenched with water produces a glassy material used in concrete as supplementary cementitious material.
Flue dust from secondary smelting (10 06 03*) is classified hazardous due to lead, arsenic and antimony content from mixed scrap feeds. Environmental controls under IED require afterburning and wet scrubbing for dioxin and furan control when processing mixed copper scrap containing chlorinated plastics.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 10 06 06, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Copper slag is slow-cooled and crushed to produce abrasive grit or used as cement substitute at up to 40% clinker replacement ratio. End-of-waste status applicable in many member states for slag meeting EN 12457 leachate standards. Copper-rich slag is returned to smelter for further copper recovery.
Anode slimes containing gold (100–5000 ppm), silver (5–30%), platinum and palladium are processed in precious metals refineries via chlorination, solvent extraction and electrorefining. Selenium and tellurium recovered as by-products for solar cell and thermoelectric applications.
Arsenic-bearing flue dust and contaminated refractory from secondary smelting require stabilisation to meet WAC leachate limits. Portland cement stabilisation reduces arsenic leachability. Treated material disposed to hazardous landfill with 30-year monitoring requirement.
These are the established routes for EWC 10 06 06. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Reprocess copper slag and flue dust to recover residual copper, precious metals and selenium
Process anode slimes for gold, silver and platinum group metal recovery
Use granulated copper slag as supplementary cementitious material in cement production
Process mixed copper-bearing waste streams for metal recovery
Use copper slag abrasive grit for surface preparation and blasting operations
Sectors that valorise EWC 10 06 06 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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