Sustainable Geoenvironmental Engineering Practice - Sustainable Practices in Geoenvironmental Engineering - page 489

as shown in Figure 13.9 has been incorporated. Mining was initiated in the region
in the 1960s with large-scale technology and inland mining operations. A number of
programs have been established since 1990 to train and work with the indigenous
employees and contractors in the area. The life cycle cost approach is being used with
eventual rehabilitation of the site to be considered at an early stage. Fugitive dust is a
particular issue for mine dumps. In addition to using wind block and conveyor cov-
erings, the appropriate amount of water must be added to ensure that dust does not
become airborne.
Moller et al. (2006) presented an approach for sustainable development during mine clo-
sure for the Western Australia to minimize impact on humans and the environment. The
four stages included understanding the aspects related to closure, evaluation of land-use
options, development of the strategy and inally development of the management plan.
The principles are shown in Figure 13.10.
Hamersley Iron has developed the HIsmelt Technology (Rio Tinto, 2014), which enables
the use of more feedstocks and subsequently more recycling and high-quality recycled
products from the high phosphorus iron ore. Phosphorus is no longer problematic due
to the reduction process, which replaces the conventional oxidation one. Heat energy can
be recaptured, and scrubbing reduces the release of toxins and particulates in addition to
greenhouse gases. The process is under development. The area still has many challenges
including ensuring the maintenance of the small ecosystems (desert, mountain, and
coastal) in the areas. The HIsmelt process improves the environmental aspects of ironmak-
ing by incorporating high process eficiency and eliminating coke and sinter production.

Physical and
chemical
soil indicators

Monitoring

Agroecological
land evaluation

Agroecological
land evaluation

Soil biological Soil biological indicators indicators

Sustainable agricultural
soil management and use

FIGURE 13.10
Schematic of agroecological approach for sustainable agricultural soil use and management. (Adapted from
Moller, M. et al., Pilbara Iron's Approach to Sustainable Development during Mine Close—The Case Study of Greater
Tom Price and Pannawonica Operation , unpublished report, Sinclair Knight Merz, Australia, pp. 1-6, 2006.)