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

ISBN-13: 9783642641695 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 300 str.

Jose M. Azcue

Opis

Since the mining industry is still expanding, comprehensive information on the effects of mining activities on the environment is needed. This book provides information on biological and physico-chemical treatments of mining effluents, on factors affecting human health and on environmental effects that have to be taken into account by the mining industry when aiming for sustainable development of their industry. Further regulatory guidelines and legislation relevant to the decommissioning of mining sites are reviewed.
Mining industry, consulting companies, and governmental agencies alike will find a wealth of valuable information in this book.

Spis treści

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.