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Earley, D., III, Schmidt, R. D., & Kim, K. (1997). Is sustainable mining an oxymoron?.
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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Aube, B. C., & Zinck, J. M. (1999). Comparison of AMD treatment processes and their impact on sludge characteristics.
Abstract: Lime neutralisation for the treatment of acid mine drainage is one of the oldest water pollution control techniques practised by the mineral industry. Several advances have been made in the process in the last thirty years, particularly with respect to discharge concentrations and sludge density. However, the impact of different treatment processes on metal leachability and sludge handling properties has not been investigated. A study of treatment sludges sampled from various water treatment plants has shown that substantial differences can be related to the treatment process and raw water composition. This study suggests that sludge densities, excess alkalinity, long-term compaction properties, metal leachability, crystallinity and cost efficiency can be affected by the neutralisation process and specific process parameters. The study also showed that the sludge density and dewatering ability is not positively correlated with particle size as previously suggested in numerous studies. The treatment process comparisons include sludge samples from basic lime treatment, the conventional High Density Sludge (HDS) Process, and the Geco HDS Process.
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Kuyucak, N. (2001). Acid mining drainage prevention and control. Mining Environmental Management, 9(1), 12–15.
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Zinck, J. (2006). Icard 2006. St. Louis: Proceedings, International Conference of Acid Rock Drainage (ICARD).
Abstract: Sludge management is an escalating concern as the inventory of sludge continues to grow through perpetual “pump and treat” of acidic waters at mine sites. Current sludge management practices, in general, are ad hoc and frequently do not adress long-term storage, and in some cases, long-term stability. While a variety of sludge disposal practices have been applied, many have not been fully investigated and monitoring data on the performance of these technologies is limited and not readily available. This paper discusses options for treatment sludge management including conventionale disposal technologies and options for reclamation of sludge areas.
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Novák, J. (2001). Groundwater Remediation in the Stráz Leaching Operation. Mine Water Env., 20(4), 158–167.
Abstract: An area of the Czech Republic in the northeastern part of the Ceská Lípa district has been affected by “in situ” chemical mining of uranium. The risks associated with the contaminants have been assessed and a complex groundwater remediation project has been generated. The remediation alternatives for both the Cenomanian and Turonian aquifers are presented, relative to time requirements, economics, ecological considerations and the elimination of unacceptable risks for the population and environment. Finally, the present progress of remediation and a concept of what is necessary to complete remediation are presented.
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