MEND Project 1.17.la
July 1986

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Noranda Inc. initiated a five-year research program in 1985 undertaken by Noranda Research Centre to conduct a hydrogeochemical investigation of the reactive Waite Amulet tailings area near Noranda, Quebec. This study is part of the national Reactive Tailings Study (RATS) Program. A jointly funded Noranda-CANMET $100,000 study for 1985 consisted of a preliminary site reconnaissance and drilling program to provide a baseline indication of the underlying geologic materials and their variations, the tailings depth, water table, mineralogy, pore water chemistry. pore water hydraulic conductivity and direction of flow. Bacterial activity was also assessed.

The evaluation of the hydrogeology and geochemistry of the Waite Amulet tailings area will provide an indication of where the acid generation is occurring and its regulating factors. This will assist in developing control techniques which would eliminate the need for perpetual maintenance and treatment of acid water from reactive tailings area.

The 1985 field program indicated that the Waite Amulet tailings, which varies in thickness from 2 to 15 m, is underlain by moderately regular clay with thickness varying from 2 to 20 m. The water table is near surface in the northern section and up to 5.5 m below surface in the southern section. Hydraulic conductivity's range from 9 x 10-7 to 1.4 x 10-3 Cm/s. Porewater horizontal velocities within the tailings range from 0.4 cm/y to 5 m/y. Velocities across the dam face are up to 35 m/y.

Below the water table, pH is generally above pH 6, and in the unsaturated zone, the pH ranges from 3 to 6. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, are present only above the water table and there was a minimal count of sulphate-reducing bacteria below the water table.

The 1986 program will: resolve the hydrogeological uncertainties concerning the site; evaluate the geochemistry in the unsaturated zone and dam face; assess oxidation control options for 1987-1989.

Last Modified: 2003-11-26		Important Notices

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