Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
operations are continually being improved. However, for historic and abandoned mine
sites, the problem of AMD remains. The direct impact on land use from acid generation
problems is not only in the immediate sense of acid interactions with the land environ-
ment, but also in the ripple or cascading effect. Contamination of groundwater and receiv-
ing waters, together with contamination of shallow and deep-seated aquifers pose severe
threats to native habitat and plant life and other receptors. The challenge for geoenviron-
mental engineering is to provide measures that will preserve and maintain the original
functionality of the land component of the geoenvironment. The schematic diagrams of
Figures 5.12, 5.13, and 5.16 provide a starting base for implementation of sustainable prac-
tices in geoenvironmental engineering.
5.6.3 Tailings Discharge and Mine Closure
In regard to tailings slurry discharges and containment facilities, sustainable land use
is not different in principle from the acid mine problem or mined-out caverns and pits.
Options for reclamation of the slurry tailings ponds and containment facilities have been
summarized in Figure 5.16. Much depends on both regulatory and industry requirements.
Closure of mining sites requires site restoration procedures to ensure that the restored
sites may be used for other purposes and to prevent risk to the environment and humans.
The reuse of mining residues, stabilization of mine areas, and neutralization of pollutants
are some of the challenges. Numerous techniques are being investigated such as replant-
ing, wetland treatment, and biological treatments. As a more sustainable approach, waste
products must be recycled as much as possible and should also be integrated into the
treatment processes. An integrated approach for land, solids, and leachate management is
highly desirable.
References
Al Hawari, A. and Mulligan, C.N. (2006), Biosorption of cadmium, copper, lead, and nickel by anaer-
obic granular biomass, Bioresource Technology , 97(4):692-700.
Appelo, T. (ed.) (2008), Arsenic in groundwater—A world problem, Proceedings of the 2006 Utrecht
Seminar, Netherlands National Committee of the IAH, ISBN/EAN 978-90-808258-2-6, 142 pp.
Arab, F. and Mulligan, C.N. (2013), Evaluating the use of biosurfactants in the removal of arsenic
from mine tailings, GeoMontreal , Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, 2013, Montreal.
Azcue, J.M. and Nriagu, J.O. (1995), Impact of abandoned mine tailings on the arsenic concentrations
in Moira Lake, Ontario, Journal of Geochemical Exploration , 52:81-89.
Barr, J. (1969), Derelict Britain , Penguin, London, 240 pp.
Boon, M. (2000), Bioleaching of sulphide minerals. In P. Lens and L.H. Pol, (eds.), Environmental
Technologies to Treat Sulfur Pollution. Principles and Engineering, IWA Publishing, London,
pp. 105-130.
Brodie, G.A., Britt, C.R., Toamazewski, T.M., and Taylor, H.N. (1993), Anoxic drains to enhance per-
formance of aerobic acid drainage treatment wetlands: Experiences of the Tennessee Valley
Authority, In Constructed Wetlands for Water Quality Improvement , Lewis Publishers, Chelsea,
MI, pp. 129-138.
Bulusu, S., Aydilek, A.H., Petzrick, P., and Guynn, R. (2005), Remediation of abandoned mines using coal
combustion by-products, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 131:958-969.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search