Mine
Waste Management
THE CHALLENGE
In recent years, the mining industry has placed increasing emphasis on finding
solutions to mine waste management issues that are both environmentally
sound and cost-effective. Mining companies recognize that long-term,
environmentally acceptable approaches are needed to meet increasingly
stringent regulatory requirements and public concerns, and to reduce
the liability for environmental contamination that may result from
a mining project.
NRCan CAN HELP
CANMET-MMSL has established a team of experts in the area of sustainable
mine waste management research to address industry challenges. Our
objective is to develop and assess long-term, scientifically sound
and sustainable options for mine waste disposal, management and
rehabilitation. Our multi-disciplinary approach and wide range of
resources enable us to assist Canadian mining companies at all stages
of a mining project, from feasibility and planning through operation
to final decommissioning.
OUR EXPERTISE
CANMET-MMSL has developed a range of expertise through R&D; activities:
Acidic drainage: prediction, prevention and treatment
- Environmental assessment and water quality issues
- Development of innovative acidic drainage prediction methods
- Development and optimization of innovative lime treatment and
sludge densification processes
- Metal recovery from acid mine drainage and mine waste
- Investigation and evaluation of alternative neutralization reagents
Reactive and radioactive mine waste disposal
- Fresh water cover studies
- Benefits and risks of marine tailings disposal
Sludge characterization, stabilization and disposal options
- Development and evaluation of alternative sludge stabilization
technologies
- Development and evaluation of sludge disposal technologies
- Revegetation options for lime sludge
Hydrochemistry and geochemistry
- Contaminant transport and attenuation in the natural environment
- Evaluation of passive secondary covers
- Development of monitoring techniques/methods for contaminant
transport across the water/tailings interface
Independent review and technical advice
Decommissioning and rehabilitation feasibility studies
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS
- Decommissioning work in uranium mines at Elliott Lake related
to acid mine drainage, mine rehabilitation and pathway analysis.
This resulted in lower decommissioning costs and a reduction in
potential environmental liabilities.
- Evaluation of sub-marine tailings disposal option in partnership
with researchers in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and
the local university. This project involves studying the environmental
impacts (chemical and ecotoxicological) of tailings disposed offshore
at two abandoned mine sites. The objective is to provide scientific
evidence on the advantages and disadvantages of marine tailings
disposal.
- Alternative sludge characterization, acidic drainage treatment
and sludge densification technologies to improve the long-term
stability and storage of waste sludges. Most recently, the analysis
of fresh and aged sludge samples from seven Canadian mines by
synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy has revealed detailed
zinc speciation in the sludges. The information allows a better
assessment of the long-term chemical stability of sludge deposits,
and facilitates the design of appropriate decommissioning and
alternative treatment strategies at individual sites.
Franais
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