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Angelos, M. A. F. (2000). Rehabilitation options for a Finnish copper mine. International Conference on Practical Applications in Environmental Geotechnology Ecogeo 2000, 204, 207–214.
Abstract: The Luikonlahti Copper mine is located near the town of Kaavi in eastern Finland, approximately 30 km northwest of Outokumpu. The copper sulphide ore deposit formed the northern most part of the Outokumpu assemblage. During 15 years of operation, between 1968 and 1983, a total of 33 km of underground tunnels and 5.5 km of underground shafts were excavated in the mining of 6.85 million metric tons of ore. The underground working are now flooded with 2 million m(3) of contaminated water and three open pits contain over 1 million m(3) of contaminated water. Five separate waste rock piles exist and are actively forming acid mine drainage (AMD).
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Jeffree, R. A. (2000). Rum Jungle mine site remediation: Relationship between changing water quality parameters and ecological recovery in the Finniss River system. ICARD 2000, Vols I and II, Proceedings, , 759–764.
Abstract: The Finniss River system in tropical northern Australia has received 'acid-drainage' contaminants from the Rum Jungle uranium/copper mine site over the past 4 decades. Following mine-site remediation that began in 1981-82 the annual contaminant loads of sulfate, Cu, Zn and Mn have declined by factors of 3, 7, 5 and 4, respectively over 1990-93, compared to the 1969-74 pre-remediation loads. Comparison of the frequency distributions of contaminant water concentrations over these pre- and post-remedial periods have shown varying degrees of reduction in the highest levels following mine-site remediation, that are consistent with reductions in their annual-cycle loads. Among the three selected major metal contaminants the reductions in maximum water concentrations are most pronounced for Cu. The demonstrated reductions in the highest water concentrations of all four contaminants are also associated with previously reported ecological improvement in the Finniss River system, compared to the benchmark of environmental detriment established in 1973/74, prior to the beginning of remediation at the mine site.
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Mitchell, P. (2000). Silica micro encapsulation: An innovative commercial technology for the treatment of metal and radionuclide contamination in water and soil. Environmental Issues and Management of Waste in Energy and Mineral Production, , 307–314.
Abstract: Klean Earth Environmental Company (KEECO) has developed the Silica Micro Encapsulation (SME) technology to treat heavy metals and radionuclides in water and soil. Unlike conventional neutralization/precipitation methods, SME encapsulates the contaminants in a permanent silica matrix resistant to degradation under even extreme environmental conditions. Encapsulated metals and radionuclides are effectively immobilized, minimising the potential for environmental contamination and impacts on human or ecosystem health. The effectiveness of SME has been proven through independent reviews, laboratory and field trials and commercial contracts, and the technology can be used to control and prevent acid drainage and the transport of soluble metals from mine sites, tailings areas, landfills and industrial sites. Successful demonstrations in the treatment of sediments and in brownfield redevelopment, treatment of metal-finishing wastewaters, and control of hazardous, low-level, and mixed waste at DOE/DOD sites and commercial nuclear power plants have also been undertaken. This paper describes the reactions involved in the SME process, the methods by which SME chemicals are introduced to various media, and recent project applications relevant to the cost effective remediation and prevention of environmental problems arising from energy and mineral production.
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Zou, L. H. (2000). Sulfide precipitation flotation for treatment of acidic mine waste water. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 10, 106–109.
Abstract: Sulfide precipitation flotation of copper-iron-bearing acidic waste water from a large copper mine and the stimulated waste water were studied. The pH of the waste water was 2.2, with 130 mg/L Cu2+ and 500 mg/L Fe3+ (Fe2+). Results show that, when Na2S was added as precipitating agent, sodium butylxanthate as collector and at pH 2.0, the removal of copper could be as high as 99.7 % and the residual copper decreased to 0.2 mg/L, however, almost no iron was removed. When the floated solution was neutralized to pH = 8.0, more than 98 % iron was precipitated and the residual iron was less than 10 mg/L. In experiment on actual mine effluents, after the use of precipitate flotation technology to recover copper and pH neutralization to precipitate iron, the treated waste water does meet the emission standards for sewage and valuable floating copper graded 37.12%. The chemical calculation and mechanism of solution were also presented.
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Bowell, R. J. (2000). Sulphate and salt minerals; the problem of treating mine waste. Mining Environmental Management, 8(3), 11–13.
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