Development
of Laboratory Methodologies for Evaluating the Effectiveness of
Reactive Tailings Covers
Mine Environment Neutral Drainage at CANMET-MMSL |
MEND Report
2.21.1
March 1992
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
This final
report presents the results of an investigation conducted to develop
laboratory and computer methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness
of engineered soil covers for reactive sulphide tailings. The study
was undertaken under a Supply and Services Canada (DSS) contract
awarded to Noranda Technology Centre (NTC) in January 1989. Funding
for the project was provided by Environment Canada, Canada Centre
for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET), DSS and Noranda Inc.
NTC subcontracted the initial fundamental aspects of the study to
the University of Waterloo. NTC focused on the more-applied aspects
of the work and later adopted some of the methods developed at Waterloo
in the investigation of candidate natural soils from two active
Canadian mine sites.
The transport
of oxygen through tailings covers was shown to be mainly by molecular
diffusion resulting from concentration gradients established between
the atmosphere and soil void spaces. The rate of diffusion is controlled
by the diffusion coefficient which is, in turn, dependent on the
grain size, moisture content, porosity and other physical properties
such as tortuosity or the flow path length. Oxygen diffusion coefficients,
determined for one of the candidate soils, were observed to decrease
with increasing water contents or degrees of water saturation. This
trend was consistent with theoretical predictions and agreed with
findings reported by previous workers. In the laboratory tests reported
here, it was acknowledged that oxygen uptake by natural soils moulded
at high moisture contents could be significant as a result of increased
activity of soil micro-organisms under moist conditions. It was
recommended that this factor be given serious consideration in any
investigation.
Three laboratory
columns were designed and constructed, and suitable instrumentations
were adapted to provide reliable methodologies for soil cover evaluation.
The developed apparatus were; a) a column for determining the diffusion
coefficient of oxygen, b) a column for evaluating the hydraulic
behaviour (moisture retention and drainage characteristics) of potential
cover materials, and c) a demonstration column for estimating the
low oxygen fluxes expected from saturated soil covers.
Experimental
and theoretical pressure head profiles observed in a two-layered
system (candidate till over sand layer) indicated drainage of the
sand layer to residual saturation without a measurable drainage
and therefore loss of moisture from the till layer. Experimental
testing was extended to at least 100 days in the demonstration column.
Similar trends in moisture contents were observed. The results suggested
that, in the absence of other extraneous influences such as root
penetration and cracking resulting from freezing, similar performance
could be expected in the field. At most Canadian mine sites, 100
days will, most probably, be the maximum dry period when no recharge
to the cover by infiltration would occur.
Estimates of
oxygen concentration at the base of the demonstration column showed
that only 600 ppm could be expected in a year. In terms of fluxes,
this would amount to 6.5 x 10-3 moles/m2/a
of oxygen and an acid flux of 0.338 g/m2/a of sulphuric
acid (H2S04). In comparison, maximum acid
flux estimated in uncovered tailings in laboratory lysimeter tests
at NTC (outside this project) was typically of the order of 1200
g/m2/a of H2S04.
Practical concepts
were proposed for designing high performance soil covers. Critical
material properties required for design and prediction of performance
were identified to include the diffusion coefficient, moisture drainage
characteristics and long term critical moisture contents under dry
conditions. It was concluded, from limited laboratory testing, that
freezing and thawing cycles could play an important role in soil
cover performance.
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