MEND Project 1.17.lc
March 1988

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Reactive Acid Tailings/Wasterock Stabilization (RATS) Program is jointly funded by CANMET, the provinces and the mining industry. It has the objective of developing an inventory of practical techniques to achieve sufficient reduction in the impact of acid-generating tailings and wasterock to permit ultimate abandonment without ongoing treatment or maintenance.

The Waite Amulet project within this program is a multi-year study with the overall objective of developing a better understanding of the hydrogeochemical processes and changes which occur in an acid-generating tailings area, as the basis for identifying and developing improved tailings management methods. Phase 1 (1985) included a preliminary site reconnaissance and drilling program. Phase 2 (1986) completed the definition of the site hydrogeology, evaluated the geochemistry of the unsaturated zone, and identified oxidation control options for 1987 field evaluation; equipment for monitoring precipitation, surface water and seepage was also purchased.

The 1997 field work (Phase 3) had four objectives:

• install the facilities required to develop water budgets and metal loadings;
• relate mineralogy to the unsaturated zone porewater chemistry;
• evaluate oxygen diffusion into the tailings;
• monitor pore water movement and site geochemistry.

The following work was accomplished:

1. the water monitoring facilities were installed, checked out and a limited amount of data collected;
2. an evaluation of mineralogy changes by J. Jambor of CANMET and the related assessment of unsaturated zone water chemistry by D. BIowes of University of Waterloo are in progress and will be incorporated into a supplementary report in late 1988;
3. oxygen profiles were established in sections of the tailings that were vegetated, bare and clay covered and,
4. hydraulic conductivity's have been established, the water table was monitored and extensive pore water analyses obtained.

The key recommendations for further work arc to:

1. establish water budgets and metal loadings over the next several years; and
2. focus the hydrogeological work on the seepage face and on modelling.

Last Modified: 2003-11-26		Important Notices

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