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Author |
Eger, P.; Melchert, G.; Wagner, J. |
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Title |
Using passive treatment systems for mine closure – A good approach or a risky alternative? |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2000 |
Publication  |
Min. Eng. |
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Volume |
52 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
78-83 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
Coulton, R.; Bullen, C.; Hallett, C. |
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Title |
The design and optimisation of active mine water treatment plants |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Land Contam. Reclam. |
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Volume |
11 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
273-280 |
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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 |
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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. |
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R. Coulton, Unipure Europe Ltd., Wonastow Road, Monmouth NP25 5JA, United Kingdom |
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0967-0513 |
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The design and optimisation of active mine water treatment plants; 2530436; United-Kingdom 4; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17513 |
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59 |
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Author |
Laine, D.M.; Jarvis, A.P. |
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Title |
Engineering design aspects of passive in situ remediation of mining effluents |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Land Contam. Reclam. |
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11 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
113-126 |
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Keywords |
Groundwater problems and environmental effects Pollution and waste management non radioactive waste management pyrite iron sulfide remediation mine drainage effluent |
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Passive treatment of contaminated effluents can offer a 'low cost' management opportunity to remediate drainages to the standards required by enforcement agencies. However, the initial cost of construction of passive treatment systems is significant and often in excess of that for active treatment systems. It is therefore important that the engineering design of the passive systems produces an effective and efficient scheme to enable the construction and maintenance costs to be minimised as far as possible. Possible parameters for the design of passive systems are suggested to seek to obtain uniformity in size and layout of treatment elements where this may be possible. Passive treatment systems include aeration systems, sedimentation ponds, aerobic and anaerobic wetlands, anoxic limestone drains and reducing alkalinity producing systems. Most active treatment systems also include passive elements in the treatment stream. The basic design considerations that should be considered to ensure the construction of efficient systems are discussed. |
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D.M. Laine, IMC Consulting Engineers, PO Box 18, Sutton-in-Ashfield NG17 2NS, United Kingdom |
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0967-0513 |
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Engineering design aspects of passive in situ remediation of mining effluents; 2530416; United-Kingdom 22; Geobase |
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Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 17523 |
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60 |
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Author |
Wiseman, I.M.; Edwards, P.J.; Rutt, G.P. |
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Title |
Recovery of an aquatic ecosystem following treatment of abandoned mine drainage with constructed wetlands |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2003 |
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Land Contam. Reclam. |
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11 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
221-230 |
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Keywords |
Pollution and waste management non radioactive Groundwater problems and environmental effects Wetlands and estuaries geological abstracts: environmental geology (72 14 2) geomechanics abstracts: excavations (77 10 10) geographical abstracts: physical geography hydrology (71 6 8) coal mine recovery aquatic ecosystem constructed wetland water treatment mine drainage abandoned mine |
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Seven kilometres of the River Pelenna in South Wales were impacted for approximately 30 years by discharges from abandoned coal mines. Elevated iron and low pH caused significant ochreous staining and had detrimental effects on the river ecology. The River Pelenna Mine water project constructed a series of passive wetland treatment systems to treat these discharges. Monitoring of the performance and environmental benefits of these has been undertaken as part of an Environment Agency R&D project. This project has assessed the changes in water quality as well as monitoring populations of invertebrates, fish and birds between 1993 and 2001. Performance data from the wetlands show that on average the three systems are removing between 82 and 95% of the iron loading from the mine waters. In the rivers downstream, the dissolved iron concentration has dropped to below the Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) of 1 mg/L for the majority of the time. Increases in pH downstream of the discharges have also been demonstrated. Trout (Salmo trutta) recovered quickly following mine water treatment, returning the next year to areas that previously had no fish. Intermittent problems with overflows from the treatment systems temporarily depleted the numbers, but the latest data indicate a thriving population. The overflow problems and also background episodes of acidity have affected the recovery of the riverine invertebrates. However, there have been gradual improvements in the catchment, and in the summer of 2001 most sites held faunas which approached those found in unpolluted controls. Recovery of the invertebrate fauna is reflected in marked increases in the breeding success of riverine birds between 1996 and 2001. This study has shown that constructed wetlands can be an effective, low cost and sustainable solution to ecological damage caused by abandoned mine drainage. |
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I.M. Wiseman, Environment Agency Wales, 19 Penyfai Lane, Furnace, Llanelli SA15 4EL, United Kingdom |
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0967-0513 |
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Recovery of an aquatic ecosystem following treatment of abandoned mine drainage with constructed wetlands; 2530429; United-Kingdom 25; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17516 |
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206 |
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Author |
Rukin, N. |
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Title |
Whittle mine water treatment system: In-river attenuation of manganese |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2003 |
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Land Contam. Reclam. |
Abbreviated Journal |
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11 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
137-144 |
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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) river water natural attenuation manganese water treatment mine drainage coal mine |
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Abstract |
Much work has been undertaken on the design of treatment systems to remove iron from ochreous mine water discharges. Unlike iron, manganese removal is far more difficult and generally requires active chemical dosing rather than passive treatment. The need for manganese removal can therefore significantly change the economics, management attention and sustainability of a site. Understanding natural attenuation of manganese in river systems is therefore key to deciding whether (active) manganese treatment is needed to protect downstream receptors. Nuttall (2002, this volume) describes the effectiveness of the passive treatment system at Whittle in reducing both iron and manganese concentrations in ochreous mine waters. This paper discusses the results of in-river monitoring and provides evidence for manganese removal downstream of the discharge point. In addition to dilution, attenuation appears to be in the order of 20 to 50%, depending on relative rates of mine water discharge and river flows. Such attenuation means that active treatment may not be needed for the long-term operation of the Whittle scheme. Operation of the scheme commenced in July 2002, with monitoring to further examine evidence for manganese attenuation and any impact on the ecology of the recipient watercourses. |
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N. Rukin, Entec UK Ltd., 160-162 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6BZ, United Kingdom |
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0967-0513 |
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Whittle mine water treatment system: In-river attenuation of manganese; 2530418; United-Kingdom 2; Geobase |
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Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 17521 |
Serial |
257 |
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