Mining Environment Database

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The Mining Environment Database provides access to peer-reviewed literature on mine waste management areas, abandoned and orphaned mines, acid mine drainage, land reclamation, and related topics. As well, it offers a broad range of mine-related “grey literature”; that is, non-commercial publications such as conference proceedings, government reports and technical reports produced by consulting companies and submitted to regulatory agencies, among others.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 35

The abandonment of the South Bay waste management area.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1989-06) Boojum Research Limited; BP Resources Canada Limited
ARD/AMD potential of the waste management area : Goldcorp Inc., Red Lake Mine Division, Balmertown, Ontario : final report.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1997-11) Boojum Research Limited
As part of the decommissioning plans of Goldcorp Inc., the potential of acid generation from the tailings was addressed with acid base accounting tests, The occurrence of acid generating minerals along with neutralizing minerals is extremely varied and the limited number of ABA tests lead to uncertain results. Boojum Research Ltd. was retained to assess the acid generation potential further. From a field investigation of the surface water on the tailings it was concluded, that within one year of cessation of tailings discharge, the physical/chemical conditions ofthe ponded water resembles those ofthe surrounding fresh water and supports considerable biological activity. The pH in ponded water on the tailings ranged from 7.0 to 8.6 and in the sediments/tailings pH values as high as 9.1 were measured. The electrical conductivity was low, with values ranging between 200 umhos/cm to 1000 umhoslcm. These surface waters would facilitate ecological approaches to decommissioning. To determine a reliable estimate of the quantity of acid generating minerals in the tailings, data were extracted from mineralogical and milling records in addition to chemical analysis reported for tailings. The data consistently produce an average of 1.5% S, 6.7% Fe and 2.7% Al. Sequential extraction of the tailings for mineral association produced a weight loss of 42%, the remaining 68% of the tailings are totally inert. Of the digestible fraction, 29% consisted of alkalinity generating minerals and 21% of potentially acid generating minerals, thus the neutralizing potential mass is equal to that of the acid generating mass. Through the extraction of weathering products which had formed in the tailings the ongoing oxidation, leading to acid generation and the concurrent neutralization was determined. Tailings material collected from old (32 years) and new ( 10 years) tailings ponds was leached with distilled water. The leach solutions were all above pH 7 and alkalinity between 50 to 210 mg.L-’ CaCO, equivalent. The tailings material clearly has remaining neutralization potential left. In the leachate from visually oxidizing tailings, 36% of S in the solids was mobilized with water, along with 14% Ca afler 10 years of exposure in the tailings pond. In the visually unoxidized sample exposed for the same time only 2.3% of the S and 2.2% of the Ca could be liberated by distilled water. Acid generation and its concurrent neutralization appears to be localized in pockets of the tailings pond. The rate of acid generation and neutralization has not been determined. It can be concluded that effluent problems normally associated with acid generating tailings will not be encountered for the Goldcorp Inc. tailings area. The concentrate stored on the tailings is acid generating. It is at present unclear, if some piezometer water quality is affected by this material.
Arsenic and nickel removal from waste rock seepages using muskeg sediment : final report
(1994-04-20) Boojum Research Limited
Passive treatment systems for mine waste water have, over the past 10 years, received increasing attention from the research community. These types of treatment options are particularly attractive for decommissioning in situations where effluent loadings are low and flows seasonal. The effluent-cleansing processes are natural in passive systems, and are biologically-mediated. Wetland sediments are the most important aspect of these natural treatment systems.
B-zone pit : limnology 1993-1996 and the fate of arsenic and nickel : final report / for CAMECO Corporation
(1997-05) Boojum Research Limited
Report discusses the behavious of Ni and As in the B-zone pit.
B-zone pit : the fate of arsenic and nickel, the proof is in the sediment : final report / for CAMECO Corporation
(1999-02) Boojum Research Limited
Report examines what happened to Ni and As in the B-zone pit by examining different studies which were conducted.
B-zone waste rock pile : utilization of wetlands for removal of arsenic and nickel
(1998-07) Boojum Research Limited
Report discusses the ability to use self-sustaining decommissioning in the B-zone waste rock pile and the reports on the work which was carried out in 1997.
Biological cycling of arsenic in sediments impacted by gold mill effluents.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1992-01-14) Kalin, Margarete A.; Boojum Research Limited
Effluent treatment from gold milling requires the removal of heavy metals, cyanide and arsenic. The waters are generally alkaline and hence this presents a technical problem regarding the choice of a removal process. Conventional water treatment processes for arsenic removal include chemical oxidation (chlorination), coagulation - flocculation, liming, filtration, activated carbon adsorption and, ultimately, processes such as demineralizing by reverse osmosis or ion exchange. In principal, therefore, it is possible to select a treatment technology which will produce the desired effluent quality; however, the costs associated with the treatment technology are frequently prohibitive. The cost effectiveness of a treatment process is therefore equally important. With increasing environmental awareness, the treatment technologies do not only have to be economic and technically effective, but consideration has to be given to the long term stability of the resultant sludge. In addition, the decommissioning of the these facilities, along with the disturbed areas, has to be considered. The CREM task force has evaluated these technologies for their effectiveness. For arsenic, liming or softening was considered the most effective method which also removes any heavy metals. These methods produce sludges which represent an environmental problem. Therefore, better and more environmentally acceptable treatment processes have to be developed.
Biological polishing phase IV : model verification and scale-up : final report
(1994-07-30) Boojum Research Limited
Report examines the development of a biological polishing model over the course of four years.
Cape Breton Development Corporation : ecological engineering for VJ bogs and data summary : final report
(1990-12) Boojum Research Limited
Report expands upon findings relating to bogs and acid mine drainage, and the steps used to assist in the recovery of acid-stressed bogs.
Decommissioning mine waste management areas : design parameters for utilizing wetlands/muskeg for the Farley Lake mine property, Keystone Gold, Black Hawk Mining Inc. in the vicinity of Lynn Lake, northern Manitoba
(1998-11-10) Boojum Research Limited
Report provides data and information pertaining to the development of the plan to decommission Farley Lake mine.
The decommissioning of Les Mines Selbaie.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1992-02-13) Boojum Research Limited
Report provides information on the investigation and experimentation conducted over the course of two years by Boojum Research at Les Mines Selbaie in developing an ecological engineering program.
Decommissioning of South Bay: phosphate rock/brush application in Boomerang Lake, EM34 background Mud Lake survey, seepage canyon definition: 1995 final report / Submitted to: Mr. David Porter Talisman Energy Inc.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1997-03) Boojum Research Limited
A diversion ditch wasconstructed,directing the flow of Backfill Raise drainageareaaway from Confederation Lake and towards Boomerang Lake. The ground water table in the mine/mill site was lowered appreciably and small seepage flows remained. Further curtailment of seepage flow was achieved by additional ditching below the Portal Raise in order to divert fresh water draining from Antenna Hill away from waste rock on the mine site beach. The electromagneticsurvey wasrepeated to compare the conditions to those prior to the diversion Boojum Research Limited 1995 South Bay Report February 28, 1997 6 Talisman Energy Inc. of the seepage. These findings are presented in Section 7 of this report. In Section 8, the last section of the report, conclusions are drawn based on the findings and options for evaluation of remedial actions are identified.
The decommissioning of the B-zone flooded pit with ecological engineering : 1994 final report
(1995-01-14) Boojum Research Limited
Report examines the potential to use ecological engineering in the decommissioning of the B-zone flooded pit.
The decommissioning of the b-zone with ecological engineering : 1994 final report
(1995-01-31) Boojum Research Limited
Within the decommissioning scenarios for the B-Zone waste rock pile, a passive treatment approach for seepages which might emerge from the recontoured and revegetated pile is being considered. The muskeg areas to be used are within the waste management area, located between the waste rock pile and the pit or lvison Bay. Design criteria for a scale-up of the process to relegate As and Ni to sediments in these areas are based on 3 years of laboratory and field work. In collaboration with CANMET biotechnology, the forms of As and Ni which would be retained in the wetland sediments were determined and found to be environmentally stable under prevailing condition. Both elements are primarily complexed as organic particulates which are formed in association with the decomposition of added organic materials. In this form, the As and Ni settle to the sediment where they are transformed into insoluble metal precipitates as favourable Eh and pH conditions are encountered in the deeper portions of the sediment. Estimates of removal rates based on the experiments are 0.046 to 0.25 g.m-*.day-’ for As and 0.05 to 0.36 gm*.day” for Ni. Loading from the waste rock pile seepages are estimated as 153-398 kg.yr-’ for As and Xl-1,397 kg.yr-’ for Ni for 1992 to 1994 based on 7 % of precipitation reporting as run-off. An open water muskeg in the vicinity has an area of 2.4 ha and therefore theoretically sufficient to accommodate the annual loadings from the pile. Design criteria for scaleup are presented.
EM survey, South Bay Reclamation Project, South Bay, Ontario.
(Geomar Geophysics, 1992-04) Geomar Geophysics Limited; Boojum Research Limited
A geophysical survey was carried out in March, 1992 in the vicinity of the Town of South Bay, Ontario. The purpose of the survey was to detect the presence of contaminants and abandoned structures at the South Bay mine site. The work was authorized by M. Kahn of Boojum Research Limited.
EM surveys maps : South Bay Mine site : final report 1995.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1995-11) Boojum Research Limited
The February 1995 survey was carried out over essentially the same grid as was established in March 1992. This year, two lines were added at both the east and west ends, and the complete grid surveyed with receiver - transmitter coil separations of 10 m, 20 m and 40 m. In the March 1992 survey, only 10 and 20 m coil separations were used. The 1992 results are presented on Maps MS-1 to MS-3 and the 1995 results on Maps MS-4 to MS-8. Differences between two sets of results are on MS-9 and MS10. Although the 1995 survey recovered the same 10 anomalies initially identified in 1992, differences in both horizontal and vertical positioning, as well as changes in the levels of conductivity, imply that significant changes have occurred in the groundwater regime in the area of the Mine Site. Some of these changes appear to be directly related to the presence of the Backfill Raise Diversion Ditch which was constructed shortly after the 1992 survey.
EM surveys maps, Mud Lake area and interpretation of electromagnetic surveys and follow-up anomaly testing (piozemeter installation), September 30, 1995 : final report 1995.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1995-11) Boojum Research Limited
The geophysical surveys carried out in the South Bay Mine area since 1992 have established that ground based electromagnetic surveys are effective for both detecting and mapping the migration of plumes of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the groundwater, and for evaluating the effectiveness of the remediation measures that were implemented. During 1995, the electromagnetic surveying was focused in four areas: (1) Mud Lake (2) West of the Tailings (3) South of the Tailings/ Townsite (4) Mine Site Numerous geophysical anomalies were identified, and anomalies with unexplained sources of conductivity were tested during an extensive programme of piezometer installation. This section presents the results of the geophysical surveys in the Mud Lake area and west of the tailings area, along with water quality data obtained from the piezometers that were installed to test geophysical anomalies. These areas are all “exploratory” in nature where the surveys are being conducted for the first time. The survey was carried out step by step, adding lines as was indicated due to anomalies. Those were then used to place piezometers, and confirm or refute the presence of seepage pathways and delineate their extent.
Evaluation of passive process water treatment.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1993-12) Boojum Research Limited; Kennecott Corporation, Plant Projects Group
Report evaluates passive treatment processes for water treatment. This includes process water, storm water runnoff, and emerging ground water.
Final report: selenium removal from coal mine valley ; fill effluents using Chara ARIES subtask 2.2.3
(Boojum Research Ltd., 2013-11-21) Boojum Research Limited; Scribalo, Robin; Paulo, Carlos; Kalin, Margarete A.; Wheeler, William H.
Potential Alternate Treatment Systems. Final Report: Se Removal from Coal Mine Valley Fill Effluents: ARIES Subtask 2.2.3 The Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES), under the direction of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech was funded to coordinate a project to look into finding alternative treatment systems for selenium removal from coal mine valley fill ponds. In 2012, Boojum Research was was engaged to carry out a pre-feasibility study to assess, if biological polishing, one of the ecological engineering processes, would lower selenium concentrations in coal mine valley fill ponds. The University of Kentucky and 4 coal mining companies participated in the study. The main objective was to determine if, and how much, selenium could be accumulated by the aquatic vegetation found in the valley fill ponds. Periphytic or attached algae are known to be effective ‘polishers’ which adsorb and absorb contaminants from waste water. Selenium is one such waste water contaminant, although its structure is more complicated than most. Periphytic algae with associated ad/absorbed contaminants become buried in the sediment upon death. Phytoplankton (free-floating algae) generally leave the pond or sink to the sediment surface and decay, releasing selenium again to the water. Rooted vegetation can also sequester selenium, but mostly from the sediment and not from the water. The most effective algal group for biological polishing in alkaline water is the Characeae. This family of attached algae is one of the first invaders of freshly- dug ponds and ditches. These algae form dense perennial underwater meadows. These characteristics are especially suited for valley fill ponds, where mining companies have to remove the sediments periodically to maintain a certain water volume. Hence colonization by Characeae is likely. Many of the ponds visited and sampled had some Characeae growth. Only one pond had an abundant underwater meadow. Some ponds were ‘choked’ with rooted emergent vegetation. In one pond with the extensive underwater meadow of Characeae selenium concentrations were lower by 7 µg L‐1 when outflow concentrations were compared to inflow concentrations. Concentrations of in the biomass ranged from 2.2 to 8.0 mg.kg‐1. It was essential that part of the feasibility study determine whether selenium was enriched in the sediment in ponds colonized by the Characeae. This was assessed by collecting sediment cores and dividing them into vertical horizons. The surface sample (0‐2 cm) contained 17 µg. g‐1, decreasing to 7 µg.g‐1 at a depth of 2‐4 cm and further to 1.37 µg.g‐1. The deeper portions and those below in 6 cm, concentrations of around 0.6 µg. g‐1 were reported. These selenium concentration decreases with depth are a strong indication that the use of characean algae should be further studied. The challenge will be to determine the conditions needed to support the growth of an underwater meadow of the algae. Seeding the ponds after dredging with biomass or oospores (a type of seed) would likely be enough to ensure a healthy population. Using this relatively cost-effective approach would likely lead to reductions in the selenium concentration of the effluents leaving valley fill ponds.
General observations and summary comments on monitoring data : visit to McIntyre closure sites including tailings pond plus superficial inspection of ERG tailings site : Timmins August 18-19, 2003 -- meetings with Joint Venture and site visits.
(Boojum Research Limited, 2003-08) Michael P. Sudbury Consulting Services; Boojum Research Limited; Joint Venture Group
Report provides information about the ERG tailings areas and water quality in the Porcupine river.

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