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| Author |
Earley, D., III; Schmidt, R.D.; Kim, K. |
| Title |
Is sustainable mining an oxymoron? |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1997 |
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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. |
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Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America |
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Geological Society of America, 1997 annual meeting |
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1998-051450; Geological Society of America, 1997 annual meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, Oct. 20-23, 1997; GeoRef; English |
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no |
| Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 16638 |
Serial |
396 |
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| Author |
Diz, H.R. |
| Title |
Chemical and biological treatment of acid mine drainage for the removal of heavy metals and acidity |
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Book Whole |
| Year |
1997 |
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acid mine drainage; copper; effluents; ferrous iron; heavy metals; iron; manganese; metals; nickel; oxidation; pH; pollution; precipitation; rates; tailings; temperature; waste water; zinc 22, Environmental geology |
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Ph.D. thesis |
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, |
Place of Publication |
Blacksburg |
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Chemical and biological treatment of acid mine drainage for the removal of heavy metals and acidity; GeoRef; English |
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no |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 6316 |
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400 |
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| 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 |
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734 |
Issue |
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Pages |
10-11 |
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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 |
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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 |
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no |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 5822 |
Serial |
401 |
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| Author |
Davis, L.K. |
| Title |
Constructed wetlands handbook |
Type |
Book Chapter |
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1994 |
Publication |
Special Publication – United States. Bureau of Mines, Report: BUMINES-SP-06B-94 |
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Pages |
409 |
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acid mine drainage; constructed wetlands; mining geology; pollution; remediation; waste disposal; wetlands 22, Environmental geology |
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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 |
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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 |
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no |
| Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 6633 |
Serial |
406 |
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| Author |
Cram, J.C. |
| Title |
Diversion well treatment of acid water, Lick Creek, Tioga County, PA |
Type |
Book Whole |
| Year |
1996 |
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acid mine drainage acid rain atmospheric precipitation carbonate rocks diversion wells Lick Creek limestone Pennsylvania pH pollution rain sedimentary rocks surface water Tioga County Pennsylvania United States water quality water treatment wells 22, Environmental geology |
| Abstract |
Diversion wells implement a fluidized bed of limestone for the treatment of acid water resulting from acid mine drainage or acid precipitation. This study was undertaken to better understand the operation of diversion wells and to define the physical and chemical factors having the greatest impact on the neutralization performance of the system. The study site was located near Lick Creek, a tributary stream of Babb Creek, near the Village of Arnot in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Investigative methods included collection and analysis of site water quality and limestone data and field study of this as well as other diversion well sites. Analysis of data led to these general conclusions: The site received surface water influenced by three primary sources 1) precipitation, 2) mine drainage baseflow, and 3) melted snow. Water mostly influenced by precipitation events and mine drainage baseflow was more acidic than water influenced by melting snow conditions. The diversion wells were generally able to treat only half or less of the total stream flow of Lick Creek and under extremely high flow conditions the treatment provided was minimal. A range of flow conditions were identified which produced the best performance for the two diversion wells. Treatment produced by the system decreased through the loading cycle and increases to a maximum value after each weekly refilling of limestone. Fine grained sediment in the stream was found to be limestone of the same general composition as the material placed within the wells. Neutralization of acid water was largely due to microscopic particles rather than the limestone sediment discharged to the stream. Additional downstream buffering due to the limestone sediment physically discharged from the vessels was not apparent. Diversion well systems are inexpensive and simple to construct. In addition, the systems were found to be highly reliable and able to effectively treat acid water resulting from mine drainage and acid precipitation. Diversion wells provide better treatment when the treatment site is located at the source of the acidity (such as a mine discharge), rather than at the receiving stream. Systems should be designed with 15 to 20 feet of hydraulic head and the site must have year-round access. Diversion well systems require weekly addition of limestone gravel to the vessels to facilitate continual treatment. A great deal of commitment is necessary to maintain a diversion well system for long periods of time. These systems are more economical and require less attention that conventional chemical treatment of acid water. However, these systems require more attention that traditional passive treatment methods for treatment of acid, including mine drainage. |
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Ph.D. thesis |
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Pennsylvania State University at University Park, |
Place of Publication |
University Park |
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Diversion well treatment of acid water, Lick Creek, Tioga County, PA; GeoRef; English; References: 49; illus. |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 16652 |
Serial |
411 |
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