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Author |
Earley, D., III; Schmidt, R.D.; Kim, K. |
Title |
Is sustainable mining an oxymoron? |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1997 |
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Keywords |
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 |
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 |
Serial |
396 |
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Author |
Brown, M.; Barley, B.; Wood, H. |
Title |
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Type |
Book Whole |
Year |
2002 |
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Keywords |
acid mine drainage acidic composition bioremediation case studies chemical composition chemical reactions coal mines concentration constructed wetlands discharge England Europe Great Britain ground water international cooperation ion exchange kinetics legislation mines mining open-pit mining physicochemical properties policy pollution regulations remediation Scotland sulfate ion surface mining surface water tailings techniques technology underground mining United Kingdom Wales waste disposal waste management waste rock water pollution water resources water treatment weathering Western Europe wetlands 22, Environmental geology |
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IWA Publishing |
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London |
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Minewater treatment; technology, application and policy |
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1843390043 |
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Minewater treatment; technology, application and policy; 2006-084782; GeoRef; English; Includes appendices References: 416; illus. |
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no |
Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 16503 |
Serial |
433 |
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Author |
Brown, A. |
Title |
Geohydrology and adit plugging |
Type |
Book Chapter |
Year |
1995 |
Publication |
Special Publication – Colorado Geological Survey, Report: 38 |
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Issue |
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Pages |
87-98 |
Keywords |
acid mine drainage; Colorado; construction; discharge; geochemistry; ground water; hydrochemistry; hydrology; lithofacies; metals; methods; mines; monitoring; pH; pollutants; pollution; remediation; Rio Grande County Colorado; stream transport; Summitville Mine; tunnels; underground installations; United States; water table 22 Environmental geology; 21 Hydrogeology |
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Posey, H.H.; Pendleton, J.A.; Van Zyl, D.J.A. |
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Proceedings; Summitville forum '95 |
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188421651x |
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Geohydrology and adit plugging; GeoRef; English; 1995-052685; Summitville forum '95, Fort Collins, CO, United States, Jan. 17-20, 1995 References: 6; illus. incl. 3 tables, geol. sketch map |
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Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 6467 |
Serial |
434 |
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Author |
Bliss, L.N.; Sellstone, C.M.; Nicholson, A.D.; Kempton, J.H. |
Title |
Buffering of acid rock drainage by silicate minerals |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1997 |
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acid mine drainage; buffers; chemical reactions; decontamination; environmental analysis; geochemistry; pH; pollution; remediation; silicates; sulfate ion; USGS 22 Environmental geology; 02A General geochemistry |
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Open-File Report - U. S. Geological Survey, Report: OF 97-0496 |
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4th International symposium on Environmental geochemistry; proceedings |
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1998-068723; 4th International symposium on Environmental geochemistry, Vail, CO, United States, Oct. 5-10, 1997 U. S. Geol. Surv., Denver, CO, United States; GeoRef; English |
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no |
Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 6286 |
Serial |
446 |
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Author |
Berthelot, D.; Haggis, M. |
Title |
Application of remote monitoring and data management systems to environmental management of tailings facilities |
Type |
Book Chapter |
Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Sudbury '99; Mining and the environment II; conference proceedings |
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acid mine drainage Algoma District Ontario applications Canada cost data management data processing Eastern Canada efficiency effluents Elliot Lake Ontario environmental analysis environmental management information management land management mining monitoring Ontario planning pollution remediation solid waste Stanleigh Mine tailings technology waste disposal 22, Environmental geology |
Abstract |
The mining industry has made tremendous strides in the last 20 years in the prevention and control of acid mine drainage. However, there remain a number of circumstances where the long-term operation, care and maintenance of tailings management facilities will be required. The application of progressive environmental technologies and management systems is key to cost control and environmental liability management at these sites. Mine Waste Management Inc. currently operates Rio Algom Limited's five effluent treatment plants and seven waste management areas in the Elliot Lake, Ontario region using a Remote Plant Monitoring and Control Network (RPMCN). This system, based on Intellutions's “Fix 32” technology, enables the monitoring and control of these plants from a centralized location thus reducing labour costs while providing 24-hour surveillance. Scheduling, auditing and reporting of plant operating and environmental monitoring programs are integrated and controlled using the Envista (super TM) environmental information management system. Proper application of these technologies and management systems facilitates delivery of cost-effective environmental monitoring, and care and maintenance programs at these sites and provides tools to demonstrate compliance with all environmental performance criteria. |
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Goldsack, D.; Belzile, N.; Yearwood, P.; Hall, G. |
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0886670470 |
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Application of remote monitoring and data management systems to environmental management of tailings facilities; GeoRef; English; 2002-060870; Sudbury '99; Mining and the environment II--Sudbury '99; L'exploitation miniere et l'environnement, Sudbury, ON, Canada, Sept. 13-17, 1999 References: 2; illus. incl. sketch map |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
CBU @ c.wolke @ 16575 |
Serial |
449 |
Permanent link to this record |