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Author |
Earley, D., III; Schmidt, R.D.; Kim, K. |
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Title |
Is sustainable mining an oxymoron? |
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Journal Article |
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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 |
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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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CBU @ c.wolke @ 16638 |
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396 |
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Author |
Becker, G.; Wade, S.; Riggins, J.D.; Cullen, T.B.; Venn, C.; Hallen, C.P. |
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Title |
Effect of Bast Mine treatment discharge on Big Mine Run AMD and Mahanoy Creek in the Western Middle Anthracite Field of Pennsylvania |
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Journal Article |
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2005 |
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abandoned mines acid mine drainage anthracite Ashland Pennsylvania Bast Mine Big Mine Run coal coal fields coal mines Columbia County Pennsylvania discharge geochemistry hydrochemistry hydrology Mahanoy Creek mines Northumberland County Pennsylvania Pennsylvania pollution rivers and streams Schuylkill County Pennsylvania sedimentary rocks surface water United States water quality water treatment Western Middle Anthracite Field 22 Environmental geology 02A General geochemistry |
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Abstract |
The Bast Mine (reopened in 2001) and Big Mine are two anthracite coal mines near Ashland, PA, that were abandoned in the 1930's and that are now causing drastic and opposite effects on the water quality of the streams originating from them. To quantify these effects, multiple samples were taken at 5 different sites: 3 along Big Mine Run and 2 from Mahanoy Creek (1 upstream and 1 downstream of the confluence with Big Mine Run). At each site, one set of the samples was treated with nitric acid for metals survey, one set was acidified with sulfuric acid for nitrate preservation, one set was filtered for sulfate and phosphate tests, and one set was unaltered. Measurements of pH, TDS, dissolved oxygen, and temperature were made in the field. Alkalinity, acidity, hardness, nitrates, orthophosphates and sulfates were analyzed using Hach procedures. Selected metals (Fe, Ni, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb) were analyzed utilizing flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Drainage from the Bast Mine is actively treated with hydrated lime before the water is piped down to Big Mine Run. pH and alkalinity values were much higher at the outflow compared to those in the water with which it merged. The two waters could be visibly distinguished some distance downstream. pH values decreased, sulfate and dissolved iron increased and alkalinity was reduced to zero until the confluence with Mahanoy Creek. The high alkalinity, turbidity, TDS and calcium values in Mahanoy Creek were somewhat reduced downstream of the confluence with the much lower discharge Big Mine Run. |
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Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America |
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Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 40th annual meeting |
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2006-042616; Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 40th annual meeting, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States, March 14-16, 2005; GeoRef; English |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 16455 |
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459 |
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Cravotta, C.A., III; Watzlaf, G.R.; Naftz, D.L.; Morrison, S.J.; Fuller, C.C.; Davis, J.A. |
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Design and performance of limestone drains to increase pH and remove metals from acidic mine drainage Handbook of groundwater remediation using permeable reactive barriers; applications to radionuclides, trace metals, and nutrients |
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Book Chapter |
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2002 |
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acid mine drainage; alkaline earth metals; aquatic environment; aquifers; calcium; carbonate rocks; chemical properties; construction; construction materials; crushed stone; dissolved materials; drainage; effluents; ground water; limestone; magnesium; metals; pH; pollution; porous materials; precipitation; retention; saturation; sedimentary rocks; sulfate ion; suspended materials 22, Environmental geology |
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Academic Press |
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Amsterdam |
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0125135637 |
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Design and performance of limestone drains to increase pH and remove metals from acidic mine drainage Handbook of groundwater remediation using permeable reactive barriers; applications to radionuclides, trace metals, and nutrients; GeoRef; English; 2004-040518; References: 66; illus. incl. 4 tables |
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Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 5686 |
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81 |
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Author |
Skousen, J.G.; Sexstone, A.; Ziemkiewicz, P.F. |
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2000 |
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131-168 |
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acid mine drainage; ground water; pollution; remediation; surface water; waste management; water pollution; water treatment 22, Environmental geology Umwelt Bergbau AMD |
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American Society of Agronomy |
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Madison, Wis. |
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Barnhisel Richard, I.; Darmody Robert, G.; Daniels, W.L. |
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Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands |
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0-89118-146-6 |
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Acid Mine Drainage Control and Treatment; 2; AMD ISI | Wolkersdorfer; SSZB; TUBAFG 01.4564 1 Abb., 3 Tab. |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 9907 |
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242 |
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Author |
Isaacson, A.E.; Jeffers, T.H. |
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Title |
Acid mine drainage remediation through applied water treatment systems Pollution prevention for process engineering |
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1995 |
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acid mine drainage; acidification; aquifer vulnerability; aquifers; chemical reactions; discharge; dissolved materials; ground water; infiltration; ion exchange; leachate; metal ores; mining; mining geology; models; open-pit mining; pollutants; pollution; preventive measures; reclamation; remediation; soils; sulfides; surface mining; surface water; techniques; toxicity; uranium ores; waste water; water treatment 22, Environmental geology |
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Engineering Foundation |
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New York |
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Richardson, P.E.; Scheiner, B.J.; Lanzetta, F., Jr. |
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0939204533 |
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Acid mine drainage remediation through applied water treatment systems Pollution prevention for process engineering; GeoRef; English; 2000-063662; Engineering Foundation conference on Technical solution for pollution prevention in the mining and mineral processing industries, Palm Coast, FL, United States, Jan. 22-27, 1995 illus. |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 6450 |
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344 |
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