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Author 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 Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication (down) Mining into the next century : environmental opportunities and challenges Proceedings of the 24th annual environmental workshop Townsville October Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 379-388
Keywords 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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Notes 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 Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17545 Serial 453
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Author Reisinger, R.W.; Gusek, J.
Title Mitigation of water contamination at the historic Ferris-Haggarty Mine, Wyoming Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication (down) Min. Eng. Abbreviated Journal
Volume 51 Issue 8 Pages 49-53
Keywords Reclamation and conservation Groundwater problems and environmental effects geological abstracts: environmental geology (72 14 1) geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) abandoned mine copper hydrogeology mine drainage United States Wyoming Ferris Haggarty Mine
Abstract An historic underground copper mine in Wyoming is discharging neutral but copper-laden water into a pristine creek. The EPA-deferred site qualifies for reclamation by the Wyoming Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program. The cleanup goal is to restore the discharge so that the creek can eventually support a trout fishery. Hydrological and geochemical investigations underground have suggested two sources of mine water: one clean and the other containing copper. Results of bench- and pilot-scale tests support the viability of using low-cost passive treatment techniques to reduce copper concentrations in the near-freezing mine discharge.
Address R.W. Reisinger, Knight Piesold LLC, Denver, CO, United States
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ISSN 0026-5187 ISBN Medium
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Notes Mitigation of water contamination at the historic Ferris-Haggarty Mine, Wyoming; 0434643; United-States 5; Geobase Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17637 Serial 263
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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 (down) Min. Eng. Abbreviated Journal
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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Notes Using passive treatment systems for mine closure – A good approach or a risky alternative?; 2285715; United-States 19; Geobase Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17539 Serial 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 (down) Min. Eng. Abbreviated Journal
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.
Address J. Dunn, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 999 18(th) St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2466, United States
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Notes Remediating historic mine sites in Colorado; 0434641; United-States; Geobase Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17547 Serial 398
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Author Coulton, R.; Bullen, C.; Hallett, C.
Title The design and optimisation of active mine water treatment plants Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication (down) Land Contam. Reclam. Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 273-280
Keywords sludge mine water treatment mine water active treatment precipitation iron manganese high density sludge sulphide Groundwater problems and environmental effects Pollution and waste management non radioactive manganese sulfide pollutant removal iron water treatment mine drainage
Abstract This paper provides a 'state of the art' overview of active mine water treatment. The paper discusses the process and reagent selection options commonly available to the designer of an active mine water treatment plant. Comparisons are made between each of these options, based on technical and financial criteria. The various different treatment technologies available are reviewed and comparisons made between conventional precipitation (using hydroxides, sulphides and carbonates), high density sludge processes and super-saturation precipitation. The selection of reagents (quick lime, slaked lime, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and proprietary chemicals) is considered and a comparison made on the basis of reagent cost, ease of use, final effluent quality and sludge settling criteria. The choice of oxidising agent (air, pure oxygen, peroxide, etc.) for conversion of ferrous to ferric iron is also considered. Whole life costs comparisons (capital, operational and decommissioning) are made between conventional hydroxide precipitation and the high density sludge process, based on the actual treatment requirements for four different mine waters.
Address R. Coulton, Unipure Europe Ltd., Wonastow Road, Monmouth NP25 5JA, United Kingdom
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ISSN 0967-0513 ISBN Medium
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Notes The design and optimisation of active mine water treatment plants; 2530436; United-Kingdom 4; Geobase Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17513 Serial 59
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