Records |
Author |
Eger, P.; Melchert, G.; Wagner, J. |
Title |
Using passive treatment systems for mine closure – A good approach or a risky alternative? |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2000 |
Publication |
Min. Eng. |
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Volume |
52 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
78-83 |
Keywords |
Pollution and waste management non radioactive Groundwater problems and environmental effects geological abstracts: environmental geology (72 14 2) geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) acid mine drainage decommissioning mine waste open pit mine pH remediation |
Abstract |
In 1991, LTV Steel Mining decided to close an open-pit taconite mine in northeastern Minnesota using a passive-treatment approach consisting of limiting infiltration into the stockpiles and wetland treatment to remove metals. More than 50 Mt (55 million st) of sulfide-containing waste had been stockpiled adjacent to the mine during its 30 years of operation. Drainage from the stockpiles contained elevated levels of copper, nickel, cobalt and zinc. Nickel is the major trace metal in the drainages. Before the closure, the annual median concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 50 mg/L. Copper, cobalt and zinc are also present but they are generally less than 5% of the nickel values. Median pH levels range from 5 to 7.5, but most of the stockpile drainages have pH levels greater than 6.5. Based on the chemical composition of each stockpile, a cover material was selected. The higher the potential that a stockpile had to produce acid drainage, the lower the permeability of the capping material required. Covers ranged from overburden soil removed at the mine to a flexible plastic liner. Predictions of the reduction in infiltration ranged from 40% for the native soil to more than 90% for the plastic liner. Five constructed wetlands have been installed since 1992. They have removed 60% to 90% of the nickel in the drainages. Total capital costs for all the infiltration reduction and wetlands exceeded $6.5 million, but maintenance costs are less than 1% of those for an active treatment plant. Because mine-drainage problems can continue for more than 100 years, the lower annual operating costs should pay for the construction of the wetland-treatment systems within seven years. |
Address |
P. Eger, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Rsrces., St. Paul, MN, United States |
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0026-5187 |
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Using passive treatment systems for mine closure – A good approach or a risky alternative?; 2285715; United-States 19; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17539 |
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392 |
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Author |
Dunn, J.; Russell, C.; Morrissey, A. |
Title |
Remediating historic mine sites in Colorado |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Min. Eng. |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
51 |
Issue |
8 |
Pages |
32-35 |
Keywords |
Reclamation and conservation Groundwater problems and environmental effects geological abstracts: environmental geology (72 14 1) geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) abandoned mine acid mine drainage environmental effect remediation United States Colorado |
Abstract |
This article provides examples of reclamation and remediation in Colorado watersheds. The projects were undertaken by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8, in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), US Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the US Geological Survey (USGS). These agencies collaborated on the environmental problems at abandoned mines. These samples involved the interaction of surface and ground waters with sulfide-bearing rocks, mine workings and surface mine spoils that produce acid solutions charged with heavy metals that are toxic to organisms. In these examples, acid mine drainage from historic mines in Colorado has been approached cooperatively with stakeholders. Each example emphasizes one aspect of the three-stage process. These stages include characterization and prioritization, hydrologic controls and the evaluation of long-term remediation activities. |
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J. Dunn, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 999 18(th) St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2466, United States |
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0026-5187 |
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Remediating historic mine sites in Colorado; 0434641; United-States; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17547 |
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398 |
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Bennett, J.W.; Timms, G.P.; Ritchie, A.I.M. |
Title |
The effectiveness of the covers on waste rock dumps at Rum Jungle and the impact in the long term |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Mining into the next century : environmental opportunities and challenges Proceedings of the 24th annual environmental workshop Townsville October |
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379-388 |
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Groundwater problems and environmental effects geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) acid mine drainage containment barrier mine drainage mine waste |
Abstract |
Covers are widely used as a means of controlling pollutant generation from sulfidic waste piles. To date, there has been little data available to test the effectiveness of such covers. Monitoring of two waste rock dumps at Rum Jungle over more than fifteen years has provided the opportunity to assess cover effectiveness in the medium term. For the first 9 years the infiltration rate through the cover on Whites dump was less than the design figure of 5 per cent of rainfall. In subsequent years, however, the rate has increased to between 5 and 10 per cent. In the first six years the infiltration rate through the cover on Intermediate dump was also less than 5 per cent. Unfortunately, further measurements had to be abandoned due to equipment malfunction in this dump. Oxygen and temperature profiles measured below the cover have been used to estimate the overall oxidation rate in the two dumps. This is between 30 and 50 per cent of the oxidation rate prior to installation of the cover. The effect these results have on pollutant loads in drainage in the long term depends on the nature of the control mechanisms in the system. If pollutant concentrations in drainage are determined by secondary mineralisation within the dumps then pollutant loads in the long term will be essentially proportional to any further increase in the infiltration rate. If the pollutant loads in drainage are largely determined by the overall oxidation rates then we can expect the pollutant loads from the two dumps to increase in the long term to a level about one third to one half of that prior to rehabilitation. In this context, 'long term' means about 40 years after installation of the cover system. Given the implications this work has for the use of soil covers, the following additional studies should be undertaken: A measurement program to quantify the pollution loads from Intermediate and Whites waste rock dumps. A program of computation, backed by acquisition of mineralogical data on the wastes, to address the question of controls on concentration and load in effluent from the two dumps. A program to determine the reason for the deteriorating performance of the covers at Rum Jungle. |
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Book; Conference-Paper; The effectiveness of the covers on waste rock dumps at Rum Jungle and the impact in the long term; 2241668; Using Smart Source Parsing 1999 Australia; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17545 |
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453 |
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Author |
Beck, P. |
Title |
CL:AIRE – Providing support for remediation research |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Land Contam. Reclam. |
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11 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
99-104 |
Keywords |
Groundwater problems and environmental effects Pollution and waste management non radioactive geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) geological abstracts: environmental geology (72 14 2) contaminated land remediation guideline acid mine drainage hydrochemistry |
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CL:AIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments) is a public-private partnership which was established in 1999 to encourage the demonstration of remediation research and technologies on contaminated sites throughout the UK. Project proposals are submitted to CL:AIRE and reviewed and approved by the CL:AIRE Technology & Research Group. CL:AIRE provides independent verification of its projects and plays a crucial role in the dissemination of project information. During the course of the project, progress is reported through the newsletter, CL:AIRE view, which is mailed free of charge to a database of more than 4500 stakeholders with an interest in contaminated land. Progress is also tracked on the CL:AIRE website at www.claire.co.uk. On completion of the project, a project report is published and a one page summary fact sheet is prepared. The fact sheet is distributed to our database subscribers and posted on the website. The project is also presented at the CL:AIRE Annual Project Conference. In addition, aspects of the research which have practical application will be published as CL:AIRE Research Bulletins. Acid mine waters discharging from abandoned mines represent a significant environmental problem in many parts of the UK. Considerable research has been carried out to understand the geochemical process involved, and the knowledge has been used to manage groundwater discharge through physical/chemical treatment and constructed wetlands. CL:AIRE supports the development of a national site for wetland research managed by the University of Newcastle and will encourage collaborative research projects to be submitted through CL:AIRE. CL:AIRE is currently supporting two projects which demonstrate remediation of acid mine drainage and is disseminating the results of this and other research to improve confidence in the use of these techniques. |
Address |
P. Beck, CL:AIRE, 1 Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7AL, United Kingdom |
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0967-0513 |
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CL:AIRE – Providing support for remediation research; 2530414; United-Kingdom 2; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17524 |
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461 |
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Author |
Banks, S.B. |
Title |
The Coal Authority Minewater Treatment Programme: An update on the performance of operational schemes |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Land Contam. Reclam. |
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11 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
161-164 |
Keywords |
Wetlands and estuaries Groundwater problems and environmental effects Pollution and waste management non radioactive geographical abstracts: physical geography hydrology (71 6 8) geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) geological abstracts: environmental geology (72 14 2) constructed wetland mine drainage water treatment pollutant removal United Kingdom |
Abstract |
The performance of mine water treatment schemes, operated under the Coal Authority's national Minewater Treatment Programme, is summarised. Most schemes for which data are available perform successfully and remove over 90% iron. Mean area-adjusted iron removal rates for reedbed components of treatment schemes, range from 1.5 to 5.5 g Fe/m2, with percentage iron removal rates ranging from 68% to 99%. In the majority of cases, calculated area-adjusted removal rates are limited by influent iron loadings, and the empirical sizing criterion for aerobic wetlands, based on American removal rates of 10 g Fe/m2day, remains a valuable tool in the initial stages of treatment system design and estimation of land area requirements. Where a number of schemes have required modification after becoming operational, due consideration must always be given to the potential for dramatic increases in influent iron loadings, and to how the balance between performance efficiency and aesthetic appearance can best be achieved. Continual review and feedback on the performance of treatment systems, and the problems encountered during design implementation, will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Minewater Treatment Programme within the UK. |
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S.B. Banks, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick/Co. Ltd., Rose Hill West, Chesterfield S40 1JF, United Kingdom |
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0967-0513 |
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The Coal Authority Minewater Treatment Programme: An update on the performance of operational schemes; 2530421; United-Kingdom 4; Geobase |
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Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 17519 |
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467 |
Permanent link to this record |