Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
handling, for example, when loading concentrates. Oil spills are another potential hazard
and require a contingency plan, and appropriate barriers and cleanup equipment.
Airport
Transport of employees, contractors, government ofi cials, and visitors is often by aircraft. If
a mine-site requires an airstrip, then signii cant land clearing will be required. As is the case
with seaports, airport construction and operation must comply with relevant national and
international standards and requirements. Safety is always the i rst concern, but noise pol-
lution is likely to be the most immediate environmental issue once an airport is in operation;
this needs to be addressed in the initial planning. More often than not, the airport will also
be open to public transportation, imposing further environmental and planning obligations.
Access and Haulage Roads
Newly constructed roads as part of mine development may create access to previously
inaccessible forest or wilderness areas, facilitating hunting, illegal logging, informal hous-
ing, and farming. Road construction itself has a number of adverse environmental impacts.
Road cutting is a major cause of accelerated water erosion, a particularly sensitive issue
at surface water crossings. Depending on their geochemistry, exposed rock faces in road
cuttings may become acid generating. In steep unstable terrain, road cuttings can trigger
landslides. Trafi c on unpaved roads is a major source of dust in most mining operations,
and requires adequate management.
Newly constructed roads as part
of mine development may create
access to previously inaccessible
forest or wilderness areas.
Pipelines and Conveyors
Pipelines and conveyors used for transportation of mine wastes, concentrate or coal have
been discussed in previous sections, but other pipelines or conveyors may exist. Pipelines to
transport water or diesel fuel are common. Similarly, pipelines are the preferred option to
transport tailings to the i nal disposal site. The mine operator generally aims to align pipe-
lines along mine roads to avoid the construction and related costs of a dedicated pipeline
corridor with a service road.
FIGURE 4.19
The Special Port of the Batu Hijau
Copper Mine in Indonesia
Port Site
Shipment of the fi nal mine product is
often via a designated port, which is
also usually the main entry point for
mine equipment and materials.
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