Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities : Emphasis on Mitigation and Remedial Measures

This book presents a multidisciplinary review of available technologies for treatment of mine wastes and discusses the effects of waste released into the environment.

1 Introduction.- Section A: Evaluation of Effects of Mining in the Environment.- 2 Do Australian Mining Companies Pay Too Much? Reflections on the Burden of Meeting Environmental Standards in the Late Twentieth Century.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Importance of Mining to the Australian Economy.- 2.3 Mining and the Environment in Australia.- 2.4 Economics of Environmental Protection in Mining.- 2.5 State and Territory Environmental Regulations and Guidelines.- 2.6 Estimated Spending on the Environment by Mining Companies.- 2.7 Conclusions.- References.- 3 Characterization of Mine Wastes for Prediction of Acid Mine Drainage.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Factors Controlling Acid Mine Drainage.- 3.3 Prediction.- 3.4 Acid Producing and Neutralization Potentials.- 3.4.1 Acid Producing Reactions.- 3.4.2 Neutralization Capacity and Reactions.- 3.4.3 Assessment of Acid Generation and Neutralization Potentials.- 3.5 Assessment of Kinetic Factors.- 3.5.1 Dissolution Rates and Mechanisms.- 3.5.2 Effect of Particle Size, Shape and Roughness on Dissolution.- 3.5.3 Assessment of Kinetics of Acid Production and Neutralization.- 3.5.4 Uncertainties in Extrapolation of Laboratory Kinetics to Field Conditions.- 3.6 Concluding Remarks.- Acknowledgments.- References.- 4 Biomonitoring Environmental Contamination with Metallic and Methylmercury in Amazon Gold Mining Areas, Brazil.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Mercury.- 4.1.2 Biomonitoring Aquatic Systems.- 4.2 Materials and Methods.- 4.2.1 Atmospheric Biomonitoring.- 4.2.2 Aquatic Biomonitoring.- 4.2.3 Mercury Analysis in Plants and Fish.- 4.3 Results and Discussion.- 4.3.1 Atmospheric Biomonitoring.- 4.3.2 Biomonitoring Mercury in Water Systems: Mercury in Fish.- 4.4 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Sodium Cyanide Hazards to Fish and Other Wildlife from Gold Mining Operations.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Background.- 5.3 Effects.- 5.3.1 Aquatic Ecosystems.- 5.3.2 Birds.- 5.3.3 Mammals.- 5.4 Proposed Mitigation.- Acknowledgments.- References.- 6 A Three-dimensional Finite Element Model to Predict Airflow and Pit Retention for an Open-Pit Mine.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.1.1 Approaches Used to Study Air Pollution Issues in Open-Pit Mines.- 6.1.2 Surface Mine Escape Fractions Models.- 6.2 Overview of the Open-Pit Finite Element Model.- 6.3 Theoretical Analysis.- 6.3.1 Atmospheric Turbulence Modeling.- 6.3.2 Particle Dispersion in Turbulent Flow.- 6.4 Model Development.- 6.5 Validation and Comparison.- 6.5.1 Numerical Tests and Validation.- 6.5.2 Idealized Versus Actual Geometries for Open-Pit Mines.- 6.6 Sensitivity Studies and Results.- 6.7 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 7 Mine Health and Safety: Industry’s March Towards Continuous Improvement-The United States Experience.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Health and Safety Impacts of Mining Activities.- 7.2.1 Underground Mining.- 7.2.2 Surface Mining.- 7.3 Historical Fatality, Injury, and Illness Experiences.- 7.4 Methods of Mitigation and Remediation.- 7.4.1 Dusts, Gases, and Fumes.- 7.4.2 Roof, Floor, Ribs, and Slopes.- 7.4.3 Heat.- 7.4.4 Workplace Activities.- 7.4.5 Work Shift Design.- 7.4.6 Emergency Preparedness and Response.- 7.5 Conclusions.- References.- Section B: Treatment Methods for Mine Effluents and Rehabilitation of Mine Tailings and Overburden Materials.- 8 Treatment of Coal Mine Drainage with Constructed Wetlands.- 8.1 Why Constructed Wetlands Are Used to Treat Coal Mine Drainage.- 8.2 Natural Treatment Processes Occurring in Constructed Wetlands.- 8.2.1 Neutralization of Acidity with Bicarbonate.- 8.2.2 Oxidation of Metal Cations.- 8.2.3 Hydrolysis of Metal Cations.- 8.2.4 Reduction of Metal Cations.- 8.2.5 Uptake of Metals by Plants.- 8.2.6 Transport Processes in Constructed Wetlands.- 8.3 Design Considerations.- 8.3.1 Alkalinity or Acidity of Mine Discharge.- 8.3.2 Removal of Metals from Alkaline Discharge.- 8.3.3 Imparting Alkalinity to Acid Discharge.- 8.3.4 Aerobic Limestone Channels.- 8.3.5 Anoxic Limestone Drains (ALD).- 8.3.6 Horizontal Flow Wetlands.- 8.3.7 Vertical Flow Wetlands.- 8.3.8 Substrate Design.- 8.3.9 Sequential Passive Treatment Systems.- 8.3.10 Inlet and Outlet Structures.- 8.3.11 Plants.- 8.3.12 Stability.- 8.3.13 Liners.- 8.3.14 Animal Damage.- 8.3.15 Sizing of Wetlands.- 8.4 Monitoring and Regulatory Considerations: Case Studies.- 8.4.1 Selected Case Studies.- 8.5 Summary.- References.- 9 Underwater Placement of Mine Tailings: Case Examples and Principles.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.The Canadian Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Program.- 9.1.2 Range of Environmental Impacts and Biodiversity Recovery from Tailings Placement.- 9.1.3 Reviewing and Updating Tailings Placement Regulations.- 9.1.4 Organization of this Chapter.- 9.2 Case Histories.- 9.2.1 Lake Case Histories.- 9.2.2 Marine Case Histories.- 9.3 Screening Criteria for Submarine Tailings Placement (STP).- 9.4 Conclusions.- 9.5 Recommendations.- Acknowledgments.- References.- 10 Reduction of Mercury Emissions from Gold Mining Activities and Remedial Procedures for Polluted Sites.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Attempts to Control Mercury Use.- 10.3 Proposed Solutions.- 10.3.1 Alternative Processes.- 10.3.2 Site Remediation Requirements and Monitoring Programs.- 10.3.3 Highly Polluted Sites (“Hot Spots”).- 10.3.4 Mercury Dispersed on Sediments.- 10.3.5 Reduction of Mercury Emissions.- 10.4 Conclusions.- References.- 11 Wastewater Renovation with Mine-Derived Fill Materials.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.1.1 Wastewater Application on Mine-Derived Fill Materials.- 11.1.2 Mound Systems and Fill Material.- 11.1.3 The Appalachian Mining Region.- 11.2 Pollution Concerns.- 11.2.1 Biological Contaminants.- 11.2.2 Nitrogen and Phosphorus.- 11.3 Fill Material Column Study.- 11.3.1 Removal of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Coliform.- 11.3.2 Conclusions.- 11.4 Mine Soil-Fill Field Study.- 11.4.1 Low Pressure Distribution (LPD) Systems.- 11.4.2 Vegetated Subsurface Bed (VSB) Constructed Wetland and Spray Irrigation.- 11.4.3 Results from LPD Mine Soil-Fill System.- 11.4.4 Results from VSB Wetland and Spray Irrigation.- 11.4.5 Conclusions from Field Study.- References.- 12 Environmental Effects of the Deposition and Re-use of Colliery Spoils.- 12.1 Origin and Nature of Colliery Spoils.- 12.2 Composition.- 12.2.1 Petrographic and Mineralogical Composition.- 12.2.2 Chemical Composition.- 12.3 General Geotechnical Characteristics.- 12.3.1 Introduction.- 12.3.2 Physical and Mechanical Properties.- 12.4 Application of Colliery Spoils.- 12.4.1 Deposition.- 12.4.2 Use in Civil Engineering Structures.- 12.5 Environmental Impacts of Colliery Spoil in Dumps and Structures: Strategies for Mitigation.- 12.5.1 Risk of Spontaneous Combustion.- 12.5.2 Influence on Surface and Groundwaters.- 12.5.3 Risk of Nuclear Radiation.- 12.6 General Remarks.- References.- Section C: Study Cases.- 13 The Swedish Acid Mine Drainage Experience: Research, Development, and Practice.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.1.1 Research and Development.- 13.2 Major Reclamation Projects.- 13.2.1 Ranstad Uranium Mine.- 13.2.2 Stekenjokk Base Metal Mine.- 13.2.3 Galgberget, Falun Mine.- 13.2.4 Kristineberg Mine.- 13.3 Bersbo Pilot Project.- 13.3.1 General Considerations.- 13.3.2 Capping Measures.- 13.3.3 Discussion and Conclusions.- 13.4 Reclamation Project at Saxberget Mine.- 13.4.1 General Considerations.- 13.4.2 Reclamation of Tailings Ponds.- 13.4.3 Monitoring Program and Results.- 13.4.4 Conclusions.- 13.5 Design of Decommissioning Plans at Boliden Mineral Aitik Mine.- 13.5.1 Site Description and Project Outline.- 13.5.2 Results and Discussion.- 13.5.3 Conclusions.- 13.6 Decommissioning of Tailings and Waste Rock Areas at Stekenjokk.- 13.6.1 Site Description and Objectives.- 13.6.2 Studies of Alternatives.- 13.6.3 Implementation of Flooding.- References.- 14 Mining in the Arctic: Mitigation and Remedial Measures.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 General Problems of Reclamation of Surface Mined Land in the Arctic.- 14.3 Reclamation Approach: Stabilization of Spoil.- 14.4 Revegetation.- 14.5 Conclusions.- References.- 15 Pollution from Mining in Greenland: Monitoring and Mitigation of Environmental Impacts.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 The Cryolite Mine at Ivittuut.- 15.2.1 Mining Operations and Pollution Sources.- 15.2.2 Environmental Impact and Mitigative Measures.- 15.3 The Lead-Zinc Mine at Mestersvig.- 15.3.1 Mining Operations and Pollution Sources.- 15.3.2 Environmental Impact and Mitigative Measures.- 15.4 The Lead-Zinc Mine at Maarmorilik.- 15.4.1 The Mining Operation and Pollution Sources.- 15.4.2 Environmental Impact and Mitigative Measures.- 15.5 Conclusions.- References.- 16 Strategies for Remediation of Former Opencast Mining Areas in Eastern Germany.- 16.1 Introduction.- 16.1.1 Geological Background of Lignite Formation in Eastern Germany.- 16.1.2 Lignite Production as Feedstock of Industrialization of Eastern Germany.- 16.1.3 Situation After German Reunification in 1989.- 16.2 Remediation of Acid Lakes from Former Opencast Mines.- 16.2.1 Description of the Problem.- 16.2.2 Remediation Strategies.- 16.2.3 Laboratory Experiments and Initial Results.- 16.2.4 Conclusions Regarding Management of Acid Lakes.- 16.3 A Recreational Lake near a Mixed Waste Deposit (Lake Hufeisensee).- 16.3.1 Description of the Problem.- 16.3.2 Remediation Strategy.- 16.3.3 Experimental Results and Discussion.- 16.3.4 Conclusions for Site Management and Fate.- 16.4 Pyrolysis Waste Water Deposit in a Former Lignite Opencast Mine (Lake Schwelvollert).- 16.4.1 Description of the Problem.- 16.4.2 Remediation Strategy.- 16.4.3 Experimental Results and Discussion.- 16.4.4 Conclusions.- 16.5 Concluding Remarks.- References.