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Morfitt, B., Brewer, W., & Frobel, R. (1998). Cleaning up the Summitville Mine Superfund Site. Geotechnical Fabrics Report, 16(5), 38–41.
Abstract: A multi-layered geosynthetic system that includes geosynthetic-clay liners (GCL) and a geonet-composite drain (GNGC) is being used to cap and stabilize a 178000 m(exp 2) heap-leach pad at the Summitville Mine Superfund Site in Colorado. Selected were materials on the basis of design requirements for permeability, strength, extreme site conditions and cost. The Summitville cleanup called for a heap-leach pad cap to provide a barrier that would prevent precipitation from infiltrating the pad material. This long-term remediation prevents the pile from becoming saturated and allowing water to overflow the downslope dike, which could cause instability to dike and pond. Three geosynthetic alternatives were proposed. The contractor, that was awarded the heap leach pad, phase 2 contract, decided for a geosynthetic clay liner cap placed directly on the redesigned slopes. Bentofix NW-8 was used as GCL and TexNet TN was selected as the geocomposite drain. Conformance testing, subgrade preparation review, geosynthetic installation/repair inspection and review of cover material placement, performed by independent construction-quality assurance, showed that GCL is a well-suited cap material for heap leach pads, where high wind, cold temperatures rain and high altitude hinder construction. The robust geosynthetic allowed on-site coarse material to be used in the subgrade and cover layer, which saved the cost of importing more expensive bedding material.
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Herbert, R. B., Jr., Benner, S. G., & Blowes, D. W. (1998). Reactive barrier treatment of groundwater contaminated by acid mine drainage; sulphur accumulation and sulphide formation. In M. Herbert, & K. Kovar (Eds.), Groundwater Quality: Remediation and Protection (pp. 451–457). IAHS-AISH Publication, vol.250.
Abstract: A permeable reactive barrier was installed in August 1995 at the Nickel Rim Mine near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, for the passive remediation of groundwater contaminated with acid mine drainage. The reactive component of the barrier consists of a mixture of municipal and leaf compost and wood chips: the organic material promotes bacterially-mediated sulphate reduction. Hydrogen sulphide, a product of sulphate reduction, may then complex with aqueous ferrous iron and precipitate as iron sulphide. This study presents the solid phase sulphur chemistry of the reactive wall after two years of operation, and discusses the formation and accumulation of iron sulphide minerals in the reactive material. The results from the solid-phase chemical analysis of core samples indicate that there is an accumulation of reduced inorganic sulphur in the reactive wall, with levels reaching 190 mu mol g (super -1) (dry weight) by July 1997.
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Blowes, D. W., Ptacek, C. J., Benner, S. G., McRae, C. W. T., & Puls, R. W. (1998). Treatment of dissolved metals using permeable reactive barriers. Groundwater Quality: Remediation and Protection, (250), 483–490.
Abstract: Permeable reactive barriers are a promising new approach to the treatment of dissolved contaminants in aquifers. This technology has progressed rapidly from laboratory studies to full-scale implementation over the past decade. Laboratory treatability studies indicate the potential for treatment of a large number of inorganic contaminants, including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tc, U, V, NO3, PO4, and SO4. Small scale field studies have indicated the potential for treatment of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, NO3, PO4, and SO4. Permeable reactive barriers have been used in full-scale installations for the treatment of hexavalent chromium, dissolved constituents associated with acid-mine drainage, including SO4, Fe, Ni, Co and Zn, and dissolved nutrients, including nitrate and phosphate. A full-scale barrier designed to prevent the release of contaminants associated with inactive mine tailings impoundment was installed at the Nickel Rim mine site in Canada in August 1995. This reactive barrier removes Fe, SO,, Ni and other metals. The effluent from the barrier is neutral in pH and contains no acid-generating potential, and dissolved metal concentrations are below regulatory guidelines. A full-scale reactive barrier was installed to treat Cr(VI) and halogenated hydrocarbons at the US Coast Guard site in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA in June 1996. This barrier removes Cr(VI) from >8 mg l(-1) to <0.01 mg l(-1).
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Kuyucak, N. (1998). Mining, the Environment and the Treatment of Mine Effluents. Int. J. Environ. Pollut., 10(2), 315–325.
Abstract: The environmental impact of mining on the ecosystem, including land, water and air, has become an unavoidable reality. Guidelines and regulations have been promulgated to protect the environment throughout mining activities from start-up to site decommissioning. In particular, the occurrence of acid mine drainage (AMD), due to oxidation of sulfide mineral wastes, has become the major area of concern to many mining industries during operations and after site decommissioning. AMD is characterized by high acidity and a high concentration of sulfates and dissolved metals. If it cannot be prevented or controlled, it must be treated to eliminate acidity, and reduce heavy metals and suspended solids before release to the environment. This paper discusses conventional and new methods used for the treatment of mine effluents, in particular the treatment of AMD.
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Vegt, A. L. de, Bayer, H. G., & Buisman, C. J. (1998). Biological sulfate removal and metal recovery from mine waters. Min. Eng., 50(11), 67–70.
Abstract: Metalle und Sulfat können aus Grubenwässern in einem zweistufigen biologischen Prozeß entfernt werden. In der ersten Stufe wird das Sulfat durch Bakterien zu Schwefelwasserstoff reduziert. Dieser reagiert mit den gelösten Metallen zu unlöslichem Metallsulfid. Im zweiten Schritt wird überschüssiger Schwefelwasserstoff durch Bakterien zu elementarem Schwefel oxidiert. Eine nach diesem Verfahren arbeitende Anlage wurde 1992 durch die Budelco Zinc Refinery in den Niederlanden installiert. Diese verarbeitet täglich 5000 m(exp 3) Gundwasser. Zur Weiterentwicklung des Verfahrens für die Entfernung von Metallen und Sulfat aus Grundwasser und zur gezielten Kupfergewinnung aus Laugungswässern wurde 1995 in der Kupfergrube Bingham Canyon Utah, USA eine entsprechende Pilotanlage in Betrieb genommen. Anhand dieser Pilotanlage werden der Verfahrensablauf und erste Erfahrungen dargestellt sowie ein Überblick über das Untersuchungsprogramm gegeben.
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