21,034 research outputs found
An assessment of the quantum for financial provision of mine closures: a Monte Carlo approach.
No full textIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.Poor mine closure policy threatens both society and the environment. Some of the more prominent threats that have manifested are acid mine drainage, slimes dams and toxic dust from dumps. Current legislation requires that new mines set aside funds to cover their rehabilitation costs at closure
The project MinE databrowser: bringing large-scale whole-genome sequencing in ALS to researchers and the public
No full textAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting one in 350 people. The aim of Project MinE is to elucidate the pathophysiology of ALS through whole-genome sequencing at least 15,000 ALS patients and 7500 controls at 30× coverage. Here, we present the Project MinE data browser ( databrowser.projectmine.com ), a unique and intuitive one-stop, open-access server that provides detailed information on genetic variation analyzed in a new and still growing set of 4366 ALS cases and 1832 matched controls. Through its visual components and interactive design, the browser specifically aims to be a resource to those without a biostatistics background and allow clinicians and preclinical researchers to integrate Project MinE data into their own research. The browser allows users to query a transcript and immediately access a unique combination of detailed (meta)data, annotations and association statistics that would otherwise require analytic expertise and visits to scattered resources
Giant Mine remediation project
No full textFollowing the discovery of gold in the Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, area in the 1930s, Giant Mine officially opened in 1948. Gold at Giant Mine was found locked in minerals, which needed to be roasted at extremely high temperatures. Unfortunately, this roasting process also released gases with a highly toxic by-product, arsenic trioxide. Throughout the 1950s, controls were put in place that minimised emissions to the air; however, this also resulted in the collection of 237,000 tonnes of highly toxic arsenic trioxide dust. At the time, scientists and government agencies agreed that storing the waste in underground stopes and chambers was an appropriate long-term management alternative.
When ore processing ceased in 1999, the care and control of the mine fell to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and attention was focused on the environmental issues left behind, including the arsenic trioxide stored in underground chambers. The Giant Mine remediation project was created in 2005 with the overall goal to protect human health and safety, and the environment. To do so requires the long-term containment and management of the arsenic trioxide waste, ongoing water treatment and clean-up of the surface elements of the site. The main objectives of the Giant Mine remediation project are to minimise risks to public and worker health and safety, minimise the release of contaminants from the site to the surrounding environment, remediate the site in a manner that encourages public confidence, and implement an approach that is cost-effective and robust over the long term.
The project has recently completed an environmental assessment process under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, the governing legislation in the Northwest Territories for projects with the potential to have an impact on land or water. The project team is now proceeding with a clearly defined list of requirements established through the process of the project, but faces many challenges going forward, including technical considerations, regulatory and jurisdictional constraints, consultation and engagement requirements and resource pressures. It will require a great deal of ingenuity, planning and collaboration to address these challenges and deliver a successful project for the remediation of the Giant Mine site.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe
Offsetting of CO₂ emissions by air capture in mine tailings at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine, Western Australia: Rates, controls and prospects for carbon neutral mining
No full textThe hydrated Mg-carbonate mineral, hydromagnesite [Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂•4H₂O], precipitates within mine tailings at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine, Western Australia as a direct result of mining operations. We have used quantitative mineralogical data and δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O and F¹⁴C isotopic data to quantify the amount of CO₂fixation and identify carbon sources. Our radiocarbon results indicate that at least 80% of carbon stored in hydromagnesite has been captured from the modern atmosphere. Stable isotopic results indicate that dissolution of atmospheric CO₂ into mine tailings water is kinetically limited, which suggests that the current rate of carbon mineralization could be accelerated. Reactive transport modeling is used to describe the observed variation in tailings mineralogy and to estimate rates of CO₂ fixation. Based on our assessment, approximately 39,800 t/yr of atmospheric CO₂ are being trapped and stored in tailings at Mount Keith. This represents an offsetting of approximately 11% of the mine's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, passive sequestration via enhanced weathering of mineral waste can capture and store a significant amount of CO₂. Recommendations are made for changes to tailings management and ore processing practices that have potential to accelerate carbonation of tailings and further reduce or completely offset the net greenhouse gas emissions at Mount Keith and many other mines
Mount Washington mine remediation project
No full textAfter a very short history of mining (1964 to 1966), the Mount Washington copper mine has been the major source of acid rock drainage entering the Tsolum River near Courtenay, B.C. since that time. Previous remediation projects have been partially successful at controlling the ARD generation at the site and treating the copper-bearing discharge from the site (Pyrrhotite Creek).
The present project is to develop a final closure plan for the mine site. SRK was retained by the Tsolum River Partnership, a coalition of community, industry and government, to develop the closure plan. The preferred option is to place a bituminous liner over the North Pit, improve the diversion works and to treat the drainage from under the cover while groundwater recovers.
Phase II of the project, the detailed design of the cover system, drainage and treatment, is ongoing. Detailed engineering plans should be delivered to the Tsolum River Partnership before December 2007.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe
An Analysis of the Concept of 'Sustainability' in Mining Agreements in Papua New Guinea: The case of Hidden Valley/Hamata Mine
No full textThis thesis examined the way in which notions of economic, social and environmental sustainability were addressed in mining agreements in Papua New Guinea (PNG), through a case study of the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. The thesis offered a discussion of indigenous and western perspectives on economic, social and environmental perspectives and practices. It then developed a model of sustainable development drawn from the scholarly literature and applied it to the case study.
The thesis explored the extent to which principles of sustainable development were incorporated into the mining agreement, as well as in negotiations amongst key actors. The study analysed key documents relating to sustainable development in PNG, including relevant national legislation and the memorandum of agreement negotiated amongst the principal actors in the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. In addition, interviews and focus groups with the main participants in the Hidden Valley/Hamata case were also analysed. The analysis revealed significant deficiencies in the understandings of issues around sustainable development among all actors, which affected the negotiations of the mining agreement. The dominant concern for all actors, reflected in the analysis of documents and interviews, was economic. Furthermore, indigenous perspectives on sustainability were not given a hearing in the negotiations.
The study demonstrated that the major power differences between government and the mining company, on the one hand, and the landowners, on the other hand, prevented meaningful participation of the affected villagers in the negotiation process. The contradictory role of the state as both the regulator of the mining company and its partner in the mining development, along with a lack of awareness about issues of sustainable development, adds to the difficulty of implementing the provisions of the Environment Act. The thesis concludes by developing an analytical framework for negotiating sustainable development in mining agreements through incorporating indigenous and western perspectives and practices of economic, social and environmental sustainability in development projects.
The significance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on sustainable development with specific reference to mining in PNG. It offers insights into the negotiation process of mining agreements and offers a framework for negotiating sustainable development in practice in the future
Innovative Approach for Heating of Buildings Using Water from a Flooded Coal Mine Through an Open Loop Based Single Shaft GSHP System
No full textGeothermal energy, deep and shallow, has always been identified as an important renewable energy resource. The stable temperature and relatively low enthalpy of mine water contained in the abandoned and flooded coal mines have the potential to form a geothermal resource to be used in conjunction with heat pumps to provide heating and cooling for buildings. The usage of heat pump for space heating and cooling can be classified as a low carbon technology and if heat pump is powered by solar or wind energy it can be classified as a truly renewable technology. This paper presents a novel application of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) for space heating and cooling using a flooded coal mine through an open loop based single shaft system. In this novel application, a single shaft is used for both extraction and injection of mine water for the heating application. This research work will report on the performance of the system and its long term potential in comparison to standard gas boilers heating systems. The usage of a single shaft system has been found effective in developing an efficient heating system with reduced cost and neutral environmental impact
Application of Flowback Water and GOPS on the Prevention of Acid Mine Drainage in the Mather Mine
No full textAcid mine drainage (AMD) is an environmental pollutant that degrades water bodies and harms aquatic life. In the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern U.S., over 7,500 miles of streams are impacted by AMD. Current methods of active treating AMD such as neutralization with limestone are labor-intensive and costly. Passive treatments with lower maintenance and management costs are the more sustainable alternatives for AMD management. The research reported herein explores the possibility of applying flowback water from natural gas drilling operations and the chelating agent 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPS) as additive to passively treat AMD. The hypothesis is that chemicals present in the flowback water will form insoluble salts with those in the mine residue and precipitate on the mine rock to passivate the surface.. Additionally, GOPS will improve upon the passivation process by complexing with metal ions in the precipitate to form a multilayer hydrophobic coating.
In order to develop a protocol for measuring the optimal dosage of flowback water and GOPS for AMD prevention, several preliminary batch tests were conducted. These tests evaluated the reaction time and volumes of flowback water and GOPS appropriate for further column testing, as measured by concentrations of Fe, Ba, and SO42-. From batch studies, it is observed that when 55 mL of flowback water was added to 500 mg of mine residue, the contaminants of major concern, Fe and SO42- reached their lowest levels. Meanwhile, a dosage of 0.0001 M GOPS is optimum to improve the microencapsulation. Results from the test column were compared to an identical control column, which was treated with deionized water. The results suggest that, for the experiment duration of one month, flowback water and GOPS have done an effective job in curbing the release of Fe and SO42- from mine residue. After 15 days of treatment, the concentration of Fe was 0.6 ppm, reduced by 96% relative to the control, and the concentration of SO42- was 90 ppm, reduced by 83%. However, trace metals including Mn were not reduced to within the requirements set by the Environment Protection Agency. As a result, more studies are needed to improve the performance of this technique
Case Studies from Simulating Mine Fires in Coal Mines and Their Effects on Mine Ventilation Systems
No full textThe structure of a comprehensive research project into mine fires study applying the Ventgraph mine fire simulation software, preplanning of escape scenarios and general interaction with rescue responses is outlined. The project has ACARP funding and also relies on substantial mining company site support. This is essential and allows the approach to be introduced in the most creditable way. The outcome of the completed project will be that the Australian mining industry is in an improved position in their understanding of mine fires and the use of modern advances to preplan actions to be taken in the advent of mine fires and the handling of possible emergency incidents. The essential work program of the project is described and work already undertaken at individual mines discussed as examples. The effort is built around the introduction of fire simulation computer software to the Australian mining industry and the consequent modelling of fire scenarios in selected different mine layouts. Application of the simulation software package to the changing mine layouts requires experience to achieve realistic outcomes. Most Australian mines of size currently use a ventilation network simulation program. Under the project a small subroutine has been written to transfer the input data from the existing mine ventilation network simulation program to Ventgraph. This has been tested successfully. To understand fire simulation correctly the mine ventilation system must be understood correctly first. The results of the project to date will be discussed
Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes
No full textIncludes bibliographical references.Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the major environmental challenges facing the South African mining sector. Acid mine drainage has received significant public attention in recent years. South Africa's long mining history has led to a growing concern that coal-related AMD from these mines (both operational and defunct) will continue for centuries to come. Pyrite bearing fine waste, generated during coal preparation and beneficiation, is thought to carry a significant amount of AMD pollution risk. Coal-related AMD generation has not been afforded the same exposure as AMD generation from high sulphide minerals such as gold and copper ores. This is exacerbated by the growing concern over water quality degradation in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. The development of integrated solutions to address the management of coal-related AMD requires an understanding of the principle causes behind coal-related AMD. To date, most of the prediction methods described in literature have been derived for the prediction of AMD in metal bearing ores. Furthermore, some of these methods are based on assumptions and do not take into consideration the various sulphur species present. Additionally, some of these methods have limited applicability to coal due to the high total organic carbon content (TOC) of the material. This research project attempts to address these short comings and uncertainties by developing a systematic and meaningful framework for the characterisation of South African coal and coal waste. The research project contributes to the knowledge of coal-related AMD with particular emphasis on the characterisation methods responsible for sulphur speciation and mineralogy for coal. The approach entails carrying out a case study assessment aimed at empirically assessing a coal tailings sample according to: particle size distribution, textural reference, mineralogical characteristics, and how the aforementioned factors influence the acid potential in coal. The approach intends to address key factors which include: identifying the sulphur bearing organic and inorganic constituents related AMD generation in coal, assessing how the mineralogy, texture and particle size distribution contribute to AMD potential in coal tailings, and then identifying suitable analytical techniques and test methods which can provide data. The combination of these key outcomes will seek to provide a systematic and meaningful framework for the characterisation of coal and coal waste streams. The characterisation methods used in this case study outlined a framework focusing on four main areas of acid mine drainage characterisation for coal wastes, these included: chemical characterisation, mineralogical characterisation, sulphur speciation and AMD prediction. This comprehensive approach employed a suite of techniques, including: petrography, quantitative x-ray diffraction (QXRD) and quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron spectrometry (QEMSCAN)
- …
