|   | 
Details
   web
Records
Author Earley, D., III; Schmidt, R.D.; Kim, K.
Title Is sustainable mining an oxymoron? Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords acids data processing development ground water leaching mineral resources mining mining geology models monitoring pollution production solutions 26A Economic geology, general, deposits 22 Environmental geology
Abstract Sustainable mining is generally considered to be an oxymoron because mineral deposits are viewed as nonrenewable resources that are fixed in the crust. However, minerals are conserved and recycled by plate tectonics which continually creates and destroys ore deposits. Though it is true that rock cycles have much longer periods than biomass cycles, the crust is essentially an infinite reservoir so long as we continue to invest in mineral exploration and processing technology. Implicit in the definition of sustainable development is the recognition that human development of resources in one reservoir may subsequently degrade resources supplied by another. The depreciation of overlapping and adjacent resources is often externalized in the cost to benefit accounting and cannot be sustained if the integrated cost/benefit ratio is greater than 1. The greatest obstacle to sustainability in mining is the expanding scale of excavation required to develop leaner ores because this activity degrades connected resources. In the case of open pit, sulfide ore mining the disturbed land may produce acid rock drainage (ARD). Because ARD will self-generate over the course of tens to hundreds of years the cost of controlling this pollution and rehabilitating mined lands is large and often spread over many generations. Secondary production of minerals from partially excavated deposits where there are preexisting environmental impacts and mine infrastructure help to reduce the risk of depreciating pristine resources, provided that new mining operations “do no (additional) harm” (Margoles, 1996). In turn, a percentage of the profits derived from secondary mineral production can be used for rehabilitation of the previously mined lands. These lands contain significant, albeit low grade, metal concentrations. These concepts are being developed and tested at the Mineral Park Sustainable Mining Research Facility where an in situ copper sulfide mining field experiment was conducted. Monitoring data and computer modeling indicate that ARD is not generated after closure. This is because the ore is not disturbed and is left saturated, whereas unsaturated conditions generate acidic drainage. The short term risk of groundwater contamination is mitigated by utilizing an exempt mine pit to capture any leach solutions that are not intercepted by the wellfield. Using green accounting techniques and transfer models it can be communicated that this mining scenario is an approach to sustainability.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Geological Society of America, 1997 annual meeting Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN (up) Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes 1998-051450; Geological Society of America, 1997 annual meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, Oct. 20-23, 1997; GeoRef; English Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 16638 Serial 396
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Dutcher, R.R.; Jones, E.B.; Lovell, H.L.; Parizek, R.; Stefanko, R.
Title Mine drainage; Part 1, Abatement, disposal, treatment Type Journal Article
Year 1966 Publication Mineral Industries (University Park) Abbreviated Journal
Volume 36 Issue 3 Pages 1-7
Keywords Acid drainage problem; acid mine drainage; coal mines; disposal wells; engineering geology; mines; mining geology; Pennsylvania; United States; waste disposal 30, Engineering geology
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0097-2320 ISBN (up) Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Mine drainage; Part 1, Abatement, disposal, treatment; 1966-013727; illus., table United States (USA); GeoRef; English Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 6857 Serial 397
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Dumpleton, S.
Title Mitigation of minewater pollution; the need for research, monitoring and prevention Type Journal Article
Year 1998 Publication Earthwise (Keyworth) Abbreviated Journal
Volume 12 Issue Pages 12-13
Keywords acid mine drainage; coal mines; coal seams; disposal barriers; engineering geology; England; Europe; fractures; Great Britain; ground water; hydrogeology; hydrology; inorganic acids; mines; mining; mining geology; mitigation; pollution; pumping; remediation; runoff; sulfuric acid; surface water; United Kingdom; waste disposal; water table; Western Europe 22, Environmental geology
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0967-9669 ISBN (up) Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Mitigation of minewater pollution; the need for research, monitoring and prevention; 1998-075248; illus. incl. sect. United Kingdom (GBR); GeoRef; English Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 6120 Serial 399
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Dillard, G.
Title A win-win way to clean up by changing ionic state, new process can precipitate heavy metals Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Pay Dirt Abbreviated Journal
Volume 734 Issue Pages 10-11
Keywords acid mine drainage; California; chemical composition; companies; environmental analysis; environmental management; heavy metals; ion exchange; ions; metal ores; metals; mining; pollutants; pollution; precipitation; processes; remediation; soils; surface water; United States; water treatment 22, Environmental geology
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN (up) Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes A win-win way to clean up by changing ionic state, new process can precipitate heavy metals; 2004-029026; illus. United States (USA); GeoRef; English Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 5822 Serial 401
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Davis, L.K.
Title Constructed wetlands handbook Type Book Chapter
Year 1994 Publication Special Publication – United States. Bureau of Mines, Report: BUMINES-SP-06B-94 Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 409
Keywords acid mine drainage; constructed wetlands; mining geology; pollution; remediation; waste disposal; wetlands 22, Environmental geology
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Proceedings of the International land reclamation and mine drainage conference and Third international conference on The abatement of acidic drainage; Volume 2 of 4; Mine drainage Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN (up) Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Constructed wetlands handbook; GeoRef; English; 2007-045261; International land reclamation and mine drainage conference; International conference on The abatement of acidic drainage, Pittsburgh, PA, United States, April 24-29, 1994 Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 6633 Serial 406
Permanent link to this record