DOCSLIB.ORG

Potential of Tailing Deposits in Chile for the Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Produced by Power Plants Using Ex-Situ Mineral Carbonation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Potential of Tailing Deposits in Chile for the Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Produced by Power Plants Using Ex-Situ Mineral Carbonation minerals Article Potential of Tailing Deposits in Chile for the Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Produced by Power Plants Using Ex-Situ Mineral Carbonation Oscar Marín 1,2,* , José O. Valderrama 1, Andrzej Kraslawski 2,3 and Luis A. Cisternas 1,* 1 Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Procesos de Minerales, Universidad de Antofagasta, 1240000 Antofagasta, Chile; [email protected] 2 School of Engineering Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT University), FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland; andrzej.kraslawski@lut.fi 3 Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland * Correspondence: oscar.marin.cortes@lut.fi (O.M.); [email protected] (L.A.C.) Abstract: In this study, the potential of copper tailing deposits in Chile for the sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) via ex-situ mineral carbonation integrating the recovery of valuable metals was assessed. An inventory of tailing deposits and CO2 sources existing in Chile was constructed to determine the most suitable site for the installation of a future mineral carbonation plant and to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of CO2 capture, separation, and transport from the source to the mineral carbonation plant. The data of the inventory of tailings deposits in Chile were obtained from the National Service of Geology and Mining. For the thermo- electric plants installed in Chile, data of energy production were obtained from the Energy National Citation: Marín, O.; Valderrama, J.O.; Commission. Through the use of the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution Kraslawski, A.; Cisternas, L.A. Potential of Tailing Deposits in Chile (TOPSIS) method and sensitivity analysis, the optimum location in the region of Antofagasta to for the Sequestration of Carbon install a mineral carbonation plant was identified. In addition, the results show that in the region Dioxide Produced by Power Plants of Antofagasta five tailing deposits have the potential to sequester between 66 to 99 Mt of CO2. Using Ex-Situ Mineral Carbonation. Meanwhile, thermoelectric plants in 2018 produced about 9.4 Mt of CO2 that is available to be Minerals 2021, 11, 320. https:// sequestered, with a maximum generation potential of 21.9 Mt of CO2eq per year. The methodology doi.org/10.3390/min11030320 and the study presented can be considered as a preliminary study to identify tailings that require further analysis. Academic Editors: Mamadou Fall and Tuncel M. Yegulalp Keywords: mine tailing deposits; CO2 sequestration; mineral carbonation; mining waste Received: 14 January 2021 Accepted: 17 March 2021 Published: 19 March 2021 1. Introduction Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral The release of large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as a result of intensive with regard to jurisdictional claims in human activities has contributed to global warming [1]. This warming occurs due to the published maps and institutional affil- presence of GHGs, which absorb the energy that would otherwise have escaped out into iations. space, producing an increase in global temperature. Among the most important GHGs are CO2, CH4,N2O, SF6, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and perfluorocarbon (PFC), which were defined by the United Nations in the Kyoto Protocol. Of these gases, CO2 has been reported to be the main substance of anthropogenic origin that increases the greenhouse effect [2]. For this reason, several technologies have been developed as measures to mitigate CO Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. 2 Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. emissions, either reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions or capturing and sequestering This article is an open access article atmospheric CO2 [3]. distributed under the terms and Within the technologies used for mitigation are the renewables energies, which are not conditions of the Creative Commons completely free of emissions. Shrestha et al. [4] reported the average GHG emission rates Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// estimated from several published studies on renewable energy processes. The emissions creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ determined for the renewable energy sources in g CO2eq/kWh are: 86 for biomass, 71 for 4.0/). solar (solar photovoltaic), 67 for geothermal, 31 for wind, and 25 for hydroelectric. For Minerals 2021, 11, 320. https://doi.org/10.3390/min11030320 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/minerals Minerals 2021, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 21 Minerals 2021, 11, 320 2 of 21 for solar (solar photovoltaic), 67 for geothermal, 31 for wind, and 25 for hydroelectric. For non-renewablenon-renewable energies energies (coal, (coal, oil, natural oil, natural gas, gas,and andnuclear), nuclear), average average emissions emissions are 1023, are 1023, 780,780, 606, 606,and and14 g 14 CO g CO2eq/kWh,2eq/kWh, respectively. respectively. Despite Despite the increase the increase in the in use the useof renewable of renewable energiesenergies and andthe intensive the intensive search search for better for better ener energygy efficiency, efficiency, fossil fossil fuels fuels are still are stillpreferred preferred for energyfor energy generation generation due dueto their to their particular particular characteristics characteristics such such as high as high energy energy density, density, easyeasy use useand andstorage, storage, abundant abundant supply, supply, and, and, most most attractive, attractive, their their relatively relatively low lowcost cost[5]. [5]. However,However, the combustion the combustion of fossil of fossil fuels fuels releases releases large large amounts amounts of CO of2 CO to 2theto atmosphere, the atmosphere, accountingaccounting for up for to up 65% to 65% of the of thetotal total gases gases expelled[6]. expelled [This6]. This situation situation will willcontinue continue to to increaseincrease globally, globally, so supporting so supporting technologies technologies for renewable for renewable energies energies have have to be to employed, be employed, suchsuch as CO as2 CO capture,2 capture, either either for long for long term term storage storage or for or reuse for reuse [7]. Within [7]. Within the technologies the technologies of carbonof carbon capture, capture, use, use,and andstorage storage (CCUS), (CCUS), mineral mineral carbonation carbonation (MC) (MC) is one is oneof the of themost most promisingpromising long long term term storage storage processes, processes, since since gaseous gaseous CO2 CO is fixed2 is fixed as a assolid, a solid, minimizing minimizing the riskthe riskof subsequent of subsequent leaks leaks into into the atmosphere the atmosphere [8,9]. [8 ,9]. MC MCoccurs occurs when when CO2 CO reacts2 reacts with with oxides, oxides, hydroxides, hydroxides, or silicates or silicates of calcium of calcium (Ca,), (Ca,), magnesiummagnesium (Mg), (Mg), and andiron iron(Fe) (Fe)to produce to produce geologically geologically stable stable carbonate carbonate species species and andsilica. silica. The Thefollowing following chemical chemical reaction reaction summarizes summarizes a family a family of reactions: of reactions: (Ca,(Ca, Mg, Mg, Fe)SiO Fe)SiO3(s)3(s)+ + COCO2(g)2(g) (Ca,(Ca, Mg,Mg, Fe)COFe)CO3(s)3(s) ++ SiO SiO2(s)2(s) + +heat heat Usually,Usually, MC MCis an isexothermic an exothermic and spontane and spontaneousous reaction reaction in which in conversion which conversion to car- to bonate is thermodynamically favored [10]. For example, for both Mg2SiO4(s) and CaSiO3(s) carbonate is thermodynamically favored [10]. For example, for both Mg2SiO4(s) and the reactions release 90 kJ/mol [5]. This process was proposed for the first time by Seifritz CaSiO3(s) the reactions release 90 kJ/mol [5]. This process was proposed for the first time Minerals 2021, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 21 [11] byto Seifritzimprove [ 11the] tonatural improve silicate the naturalweathering silicate process, weathering which process,has occurred which throughout has occurred the geologicalthroughout time the geologicalscale. time scale. The Thestability stability of the of theproducts products of the of the above above mineral mineral carbonation carbonation reaction reaction is is explained explained by by thethegive carbon carbon it a profit atom to beingbeing promote atat itsits the lowest lowest deployment energy energy level oflevel this in in the technology, the carbonate, carbonate, being which which able provides providesto achieve a storage a this storagelifethrough life of more of the more thanrecovery than 100 100 of thousand thousandvaluable years metals years [12 [12]. from]. This This mine technologytechnology tailings. Recently, is also attractive attractive Araya etbecause because al. [22,23] of of thetheinvestigated abundance abundance the in in techno-economicnature nature of of this this type feasibility of silicate,silicate, of withwithcritical thethe raw capacitycapacity materials toto sequester sequester recovery all allfrom the the COcop- 2 CO2emittedper emitted mine by bytailings the the processes processes in northern of of fossil fossilChile. fuel fuel They combustion co obmbustiontained [13 positive ].[13]. Mineral Mineral net carbonation present carbonation values is nothing isfor noth- the more pro- ing morethanduction athan process of arare process of earth natural of oxides natural wear and thatwear vanadium occurs that occurs on geologicalpentoxide on geological scales,(V2O 5scales,). and However, therefore and therefore to the analyze process the the is processextremelypotential is extremely of slow. a tailings,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • State of Utah DIVISION of WASTE MANAGEMENT GARY R
    Department of Environmental Quality L. Scott Baird Executive Director State of Utah DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT GARY R. HERBERT AND RADIATION CONTROL Governor Ty L. Howard SPENCER J. COX Director Lieutenant Governor November 5, 2020 Cassady Kristensen Environmental Business Partner Rio Tinto Kennecott 4700 Daybreak Parkway South Jordan, UT 84009 RE: Kennecott Utah Copper Tailings Impoundment Refuse Class IIIb Landfill Permit Dear Ms. Kristensen: The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (Division) has completed its review of the application to permit the Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper Tailings Impoundment Refuse Class IIIb Landfill located on the Rio Tinto Kennecott Tailings Impoundment facility in Salt Lake County, Utah. Enclosed with this letter is the approved Permit Number 1905 and applicable attachments from portions of the application. The Permit approval and expiration dates are shown on the permit cover page. Also, the Statement of Basis for this permit (DSHW-2020-014707) is included with the permit. If you have any questions, please call Doug Taylor at (801) 536-0240. Sincerely, Ty L. Howard, Director Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (Over) DSHW-2020-014711 195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144880 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4880 Telephone (801) 536-0200 • Fax (801) 536-0222 • T.D.D. (801) 536-4284 www.deq.utah.gov Printed on 100% recycled paper TLH/DT/ar Enclosures: Permit (DSHW-2020-004084) Attachment #1 - Landfill Design (DSHW-2020-004510) Attachment #2 – Operation Plan (DSHW- 2020-004512) Attachment #3 – Closure and Post-Closure Plan (DSHW-2020-004514) Statement of Basis (DSHW-2020-014707) c: Gary Edwards, MS, Health Officer, Salt Lake County Health Dept.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of the Possible Reuse of Extractive Waste Coming from Abandoned Mine Sites: Case Study in Gorno, Italy
    sustainability Article Assessment of the Possible Reuse of Extractive Waste Coming from Abandoned Mine Sites: Case Study in Gorno, Italy Neha Mehta 1,2, Giovanna Antonella Dino 1,*, Iride Passarella 3, Franco Ajmone-Marsan 4, Piergiorgio Rossetti 1 and Domenico Antonio De Luca 1 1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Turin, 10125 Torino, Italy; [email protected] (N.M.); [email protected] (P.R.); [email protected] (D.A.D.L.) 2 School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5AH, UK 3 Horizon s.r.l., 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] 4 Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-011-6705150 Received: 21 January 2020; Accepted: 17 March 2020; Published: 21 March 2020 Abstract: Supply of resources, a growing population, and environmental pollution are some of the main challenges facing the contemporary world. The rapid development of mining activities has produced huge amounts of waste. This waste, found in abandoned mine sites, provides the potential opportunity of extracting raw material. The current study, therefore, focuses on testing the validation of a shared methodology to recover extractive waste from abandoned mines, and applies this methodology to a case study in Gorno, northwest Italy. The methods focused on: (1) analyzing the impact of tailings and fine fraction of waste rock (<2 mm) on plants (Cress - Lepidium Sativum) to assess usability of both as soil additive, and (2) recovering raw materials from tailings and coarse fraction (>2 mm) of waste rock, by means of dressing methods like wet shaking table and froth flotation.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Lmpact Mine Development and Tailings Disposal
    .--L South Pocific Regionol Environm€nf Progromme ft -- Ittltt-'r'tl SPREP Reports ond Studies Series no, 95 WJ: Environmental lmPact Hffi Assessment Guidelines for Mine DeveloPment and ffi Tailings Disposal at Tropical Coastal Mines ar'' -il South Pocific Reglonol Environment Progromrre Environmental lmpact Assessment Guidelines for Mine Development and Tailings Disposal at Tropical Coastal Mines Prepared by Derek Ellls Assisted by Jacquellne Connolly SPREP Librry Cataloguing-in-Publication Dara Ellis,Dcsck Erwironmental impact ascsmcot guiddinca fq minc dcrrclopment 2ad t.ilingr dispod et topicel costal rnincs / grcprrcd \ p6d Ellir ard **itt"d bJ.cqudinc Connolly. - Apie,Vftstcrn Samoa : SPREB 1996. viii,26p. : 69., placcs, ublcs : 29 can- ISBN:982-04-0150-X 1. Environncntal impact rtetcmens.2. Mincs and rnincrrl rrsouroae - Erndrronmcnal aspccs, 3. Erwironmcnal monitori.g- I. C.onnolly, Jacquclinc. II. South Pacific Rcgiond Environmcnt Prognmmc. IV Tida 333.765 kcprrcd for putilication by thc South Pacifc Rcgionel Ernironmcot kogrlmmc, PO Bc 24o,Apb,Wcrtcrn Samoa @ South PacificRcgiorrl Environmcnt Plogrannc, 1996 Thc South Pecifc Rcgional En'ironncnt Plogrililnc authcbcs thc rcproduction of tcmud netcrid, wholc or parq in any form, providcd approprbtc acknorlcdgcmcot b gi\r€o. Original 3srt; F'ngfirh Editor Barbare Hcason Production Pctcr Erans Photographs Plare I (covcr and p.4) reproduced with permission of Island Copper Mine, BHP Minerals Canada Ltd; platc 6 (cover and p.6) and plate 5 reproduced with permission of Placcr Pacific Limited, Typeset in I l/13 Bembo and UR\7 Casde Printed on I l0gsm Tudor RP. (100% recyded) by ABC Printing, Brisbane, Australia Printed with finaocial assistance from AusAID Covcr photographs Top:The seale of uwu produaionfmm ninitg and milling prouses an be enotmorn, Hererun see the *uste mck dunry anil their redamation at klanil Coppa Mine, Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Litter Decomposition on Directly Revegetated Tailings at the Kidston Gold Mine, North Queensland, Australia1
    LITTER DECOMPOSITION ON DIRECTLY REVEGETATED TAILINGS AT THE KIDSTON GOLD MINE, NORTH QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA1 Andrew H. Grigg2 Abstract. An investigation of litter decomposition was undertaken at the Kidston Gold Mine in north Queensland, Australia with the aim of assessing the status of nutrient cycling capacity on a directly-revegetated tailings dam. Weight losses from leaf litter contained in litterbags placed in a 5-year old revegetated section of the dam were not significantly different from losses observed at two unmined reference sites over the 18 month study period, representing a rapid improvement in nutrient cycling capacity in the reconstructed ecosystem. However, fitted decay curves for each site predicted a slower decay constant and a longer litter half-life on the dam, which indicated that full pre-mining capability had not yet been achieved. Weight loss in the reconstructed system was most constrained by the low build-up of microbial biomass within the surface soil, which is expected to take at least 10 years to achieve pre-mining levels. In contrast, weight losses in the unmined sites appeared more related to the abundance of invertebrate fauna rather than microbial content. The results presented here of a developing system suggest that the importance of different factors affecting decomposition will reflect those that are most limiting over the course of ecosystem recovery. Additional Key Words: nutrient cycling, ecosystem recovery, microbial biomass, invertebrates. _____________________ 1Paper presented at the 2002 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Lexington KY, June 9-13, 2002. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.
    [Show full text]
  • Tailings Pond Rehabilitation Project and Effluent Management System Upgrade, Baldivis
    Tailings pond rehabilitation project and effluent management system upgrade, Baldivis Western Mining Corporation Ltd Report and recommendation of the Environmental Protection Authority Environmental Protection Authority Bulletin 489 January 1991 Taiiings pond rehabiiitation project and effluent management system upgrade, Baldivis Western Mining Corporation Ltd Report and recommendation of the Environmentai Protection Authority ISBN 0 7309 3593 0 ISSN 1030 0120 Assessment Number 323 Contents Page Summary and recommendation 1. Background 1 2. The proposal 1 2.1 The tailings pond 2.2 Timing 3 3. Potential environmental impacts assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority 3 3.1 Lake Cooloongup 3 3.2 Terrestrial vegetation 3 4~ Conclusion 5 Figures 1 ~Tailings pond locality plan 2 2. Proposed timing of activities described in CER 4 Appendices 1 List of Commitments made by the Proponent 2. Proponent's response to issues raised during the assessment process 3. Llst of organisations and members of the public that made submissions Summary and recommendation In 1969, Western Mining Corporation Limited (WMC's) constructed a tailings pond in Baldivis, 7 km from the Company's Kwinana Nickel Refinery, to store solid and liquid wastes from the refinery. In March 1979, it was discovered that the tailings pond was leaking ammonium sulphate solution to the ground1..vater resulting in contamination of tr1e bottom ·third of the groundv;ater body (aquifer). it is not c!ear whether any subsequent environmental impacts have occurred and none has been properly identified at this time. However, this absence of obvious environmental impact could be attributed to the depth of the contamination within the aquifer and that it is overlain by a significant thickness of good quality groundwater.
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Sulfide-Bearing Waste, a Challenge for the Mining Industry
    Minerals 2012, 2, 1-10; doi:10.3390/min2010001 OPEN ACCESS minerals ISSN 2075-163X www.mdpi.com/journal/minerals/ Review Management of Sulfide-Bearing Waste, a Challenge for the Mining Industry Björn Öhlander 1,*, Terrence Chatwin 2 and Lena Alakangas 1 1 Department of Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87 Luleå, Sweden; E-Mail: [email protected] 2 International Network for Acid Prevention, 2105 Oneida Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +46-920-491396; Fax: +46-920-491199. Received: 13 December 2011; in revised form: 3 January 2012 / Accepted: 2 February 2012 / Published: 8 February 2012 Abstract: Oxidation of iron sulfides in waste rock dumps and tailings deposits may result in formation of acid rock drainage (ARD), which often is a challenging problem at mine sites. Therefore, integrating an ARD management plan into the actual mine operations in the early phases of exploration, continuing through the mine life until final closure might be successful and decrease the environmental impact. A thorough characterization of ore and waste should be performed at an early stage. A detailed knowledge of mineralogical composition, chemical composition and physical properties such as grain size, porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the different waste types is necessary for reliable predictions of ARD formation and efficiency of mitigation measures. Different approaches to prevent and mitigate ARD are discussed. Another key element of successfully planning to prevent ARD and to close a mining operation sustainably is to engage the mine stakeholders (regulators, community and government leaders, non-governmental organization (NGOs) and lenders) in helping develop and implement the ARD management plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Mining Waste Challenges: Environmental Risks of Gigatons of Mud, Dust and Sediment in Megadiverse Regions in Brazil
    sustainability Communication Mining Waste Challenges: Environmental Risks of Gigatons of Mud, Dust and Sediment in Megadiverse Regions in Brazil Flávio F. Carmo 1,* , Andressa O. Lanchotti 2 and Luciana H.Y. Kamino 1 1 Prístino Institute, Belo Horizonte 30462-180, Brazil; [email protected] 2 Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Minas Gerais, Operational Support Center for the Environmental Defense Prosecutor’s Office, Belo Horizonte 30190-100, Brazil; [email protected] * Correspondence: fl[email protected] Received: 14 August 2020; Accepted: 2 October 2020; Published: 14 October 2020 Abstract: The management of long-lived mining wastes is a complex environmental challenge, but the subject is little discussed among the public, scientific community, and policymakers. The negative environmental impacts caused by mining wastes are severe and cause damage to human health and the loss and degradation of natural ecosystems. With the objective of stimulating discussion to advance the development of measures to contain threats to biodiversity and to mitigate negative impacts, we present an overview of total volumes of mining waste disposal in tailings dams and dump piles, discriminating them by ore type and biome. We highlight the major environmental risks and challenges associated with tropical forests, savannas, and freshwater ecosystems and possible limitations and advances in public policies and governance. The scale of this challenge is global, as some data show, for example, Brazil generated 3.6 billion tons of solid mining waste in dump piles in the period between 2008 and 2019. The volume is equivalent to 62% of the global mass of nonfuel minerals removed from the planet’s crust in 2006.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Existing and Proposed Tailings Impoundment Technologies
    Final Report Review of Existing and Proposed Tailings Impoundment Technologies Prepared by S. Cohen & Associates 1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 400 Vienna, VA 22182 Under Contract Number EP-D-05-002 Work Assignment No. 4-11, Task 5 Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460 Reid J. Rosnick Work Assignment Manager September 25, 2008 In accordance with the Quality Assurance Project Plan: Technical and Regulatory Support to Develop a Rulemaking to Modify the NESHAP Subpart W Standard for Radon Emissions from Operating Uranium Mills (40 CFR 61.25), this document has been reviewed and approved by the following individuals: Work Assignment Task Manager: ________________________ Date: __09/25/2008__ Harry Pettengill Project Manager: ________________________ Date: __09/25/2008__ Abe Zeitoun Corporate Quality Assurance Mgr: ________________________ Date: __09/25/2008__ Gregory Beronja Work Assignment QA Manager: ________________________ Date: __09/25/2008__ Stephen Ostrow WA 4-11, Task 4 – NESHAPs History i SC&A – September 25, 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Historical Conventional Tailings Impoundments ............................................................... 1 2.0 Profile of the Existing Industry........................................................................................... 2 3.0 Anticipated Changes in the Industry Profile....................................................................... 3 4.0 Comparison of Uranium Tailings Disposal
    [Show full text]
  • Reclaiming Course Taconite Tailings
    RECLAIMING COARSE TACONITE TAILINGS -ARE ORGANIC AMENDMENTS THE ANSWER?1 by 2 Paul Eger , Andrea Johnson, Glenn Melchert Abstract In the fall of 1997, five two-ha plots of coarse !aconite tailings were revegetated using paper mill residue from two different manufacturers, municipal solid waste compost, municipal class B biosolids, and a mixture of paper residue and biosolids. Although previous test plot and small scale demonstration tests had shown that organic amendments could be used successfully to establish vegetation on coarse tailings, this was the first large scale application. A series of small bins (each about I meter by 3 meters) was built to examine the water quality impacts associated with the use of these amendments. After three years, percent cover on all of the amended slopes was at least 50% higher than the cover produced by the standard mineland reclamation practice. Although none of the plots met the strict numeric three-year cover standard of90%, two plots exceeded 80% and would be judged acceptable reclamation. Despite applying the amendments in the fall after the growing season, there was no substantial impact on the quality of either the surface runoff or the water that infiltrated the tailings. The tot!ll volume of surface runoff from all plots was less than 2.2% of the input precipitation. The highest average runoff was from the untreated control plot. Although the initial cost of applying organic amendments to coarse tailings may be more expensive than standard mineland reclamation practices, mining companies typically spend additional money to refertilize and reseed. Despite repeated applications of seed and fertilizer, most areas without organic amendments have not complied with Minnesota's minelandreclamation standards.
    [Show full text]
  • Failure to Capture and Treat Wastewater
    U.S. OPERATING COPPER MINES: FAILURE TO CAPTURE & TREAT WASTEWATER BY BONNIE GESTRING, MAY 2019 In 2012, Earthworks released a report documenting the failure to capture and treat mine wastewater at U.S. operating copper mines accounting for 89% of U.S. copper production.1 The report found that 92% failed to capture and control mine wastewater, resulting in significant water quality impacts. This is an update to that effort. We reviewed government and industry documents for fifteen operating open-pit copper mines, representing 99% of U.S. copper production in 2015 – the most recent data on copper production available from the U.S. Geological Survey (see Table 1). Our research found similar results: 14 out of 15 (93%) failed to capture and control wastewater, resulting in significant water quality impacts (see TaBle 2). These unauthorized wastewater releases occurred from a number of different sources including uncontrolled seepage from tailings impoundments, waste rock piles, open pits, or other mine facilities, or failure of water treatment facilities, pipeline failures or other accidental releases. TABLE 1: Copper production from top 15 (as of 2015) U.S. open-pit copper mines (most recent data availaBle from USGS).2 MINE PRODUCTION (metric tons) Morenci 481,000 Chino 142,000 Safford 91,600 Bagdad 95,300 Bingham Canyon 92,000 Sierrita 85,700 Ray 75,100 Pinto Valley 60,400 Mission CompleX 68,300 Robinson 56,800 Tyrone 38,100 Continental pit 31,000 PhoeniX 21,100 Miami 19,500 Silver Bell 19,300 Total (99% of U.S. production) 1,377,000 U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Tailings Management
    {-J TAILINGS MANAGEMENT Q -77 - - ---.._w J -,• .• 'p b_ •-.-.-•- _ .* ••: - INIER\1\Ho'-: Ni]. j.\j 'JU Tl IF I p United NIions Enirument Prramrne The International Council on Metals and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environment Industry and Environment Centre Founded in 1991, [he International Council on Metals 'The Industry and Environment centre was established by and the Environment (TCME) is a non-governmental 1JNEP in 1975 to bring industry and government togethet organization that promotes the development and imple- to promote environmentally sound industrial development mentation of sound environmental and health policies and UNEP IE is located in Paris and its goals are to: practices in the production, use, recycling and disposal of non-ferrous and precious metals. Encourage the incorporation of environmental criteria in industrial development plans; These case studies have been published by ICME as part Facilitate the implementation of procedures and prin- of a series of publications providing information on en- ciples for the protection of the environment; vironmental and health matters relating to the metals Promote the use of safe and clean technologies; mining and producing industry. The contents of ICME Stimulate the exchange of information and experience publications range from general and technical information throughout the world. about these topics to discussions of issues relevant to en- vironmental and/or health-related policies affecting the UNEP IE provides access to practical information and mining and metals sector. It is believed that the topics develops cooperative on-site action and information examined are of concern not only to the industry, but also exchapge backed by regular follow-up and assessment.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrologic Investigations Concerning Lead Mining Issues in Southeastern Missouri Edited by Michael J
    History of Mining in the Southeast Missouri Lead District and Description of Mine Processes, Regulatory Controls, Environmental Effects, and Mine Facilities in the Viburnum Trend Subdistrict By Cheryl M. Seeger1 Chapter 1 of Hydrologic Investigations Concerning Lead Mining Issues in Southeastern Missouri Edited by Michael J. Kleeschulte 1Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5140 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Contents Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................5 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................5 Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................7 Previous and Current Studies .............................................................................................................7 Missouri Lead Study ....................................................................................................................7 U.S. Geological Survey Studies .................................................................................................7 Other Viburnum Trend Studies ...................................................................................................9 Acknowledgments ..............................................................................................................................10
    [Show full text]