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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South Bay Mine: a geological update
(Boojum Research Ltd., 1979-09) Wan, J.; Warburton, A. F.
South Bay Mine is located 50 miles east of Red Lake in the UchiConfederation greenstone belt. The deposit was discovered in 1968 by airborne geophysics and went into production in early 1971. Production since that time has averaged 500 tons per day, from reserves of l ,600,000 tons (including past production) averaging 2.3% copper, 14.5% zinc and 3.5 oz./ton silver. These reserves extend to the 1500 foot level with underground exploration continuing at deeper levels. South Bay belongs to the family of stratiform base metals massive sulphide deposits associated with felsic volcanic rocks. It occurs near the top of the youngest of three mafic to felsic volcanic cycles identified in the area. The ore horizon overlies quartz feldspar porphyry. The quartz feldspar porphyry thickens in the area of the mine where it probably formed the core of a rising felsic dome. The porphyry is believed to have intrusive and extrusive phases. The ore lenses, 5-70 feet wi􀀗e,contain massive fine pyrite, banded to interstitial chalcopyrite, and finely banded to coarse massive sphalerite. Sulphides constitute 70-95% of the ore, the balance being quartz, carbonate, chlorite, chert, and argillite. The highly irregular ore lenses occur along a strike length of up to 700 feet. The upper portions of some of the ore zones are zinc rich, reflecting original metal zoning. Argillite underlying and intercalated with these sulphide bodies indicate quiescent conditions of deposition. Elsewhere, preconsolidation slumping has destroyed any zoning. Primary textures of sphalerite and chalcopyrite have been largely destroyed by dynamic and thermal metamorphism. The hanging wall consists of 70-300 feet of dacite breccia, in turn overlain by rhyolite. Irregular felsic dikes commonly intrude the ore zone and enclosing rocks. The dominant alterati0n consists of chloritization and brecciation of the quartz feldspar porphyry to depths of 50-300 feet below the ore, and chloritization in the hanging wall dacite breccia. It is believed that the wall rock alteration and mineralization resulted from the sa􀀽e event.
An investigation into selected ecological aspects of the aquatic and terrestrial environment of an abandoned uranium mill tailings pond : Bancroft, Ontario
(1980-06) Kalin (ed.), Margarete
In many areas of Canada, uranium mill tailings are produced or have been produced in the past. Abandoned areas which received the tailings material contain hazardous materials such as heavy metals, radioactive isotopes and sometimes acid-generating materials. The long term fate of theses materials is largely unknown. Sites are open to the natural processes of invasion by biota and exposed to weathering and leaching processes. It was the aim of the Experience '79 project to identify and delineate invading biota by studying abandoned uranium mill tailings sites in the Bancroft area, with the ultimate aim of compiling information on the potential hazards associated with these sites.
A preliminary assessment of the environmental conditions of two abandoned uranium mill tailings sites in Saskatchewan.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1980-07-04) Kalin, Margarete A.
Report suggests types of plants that should be investigated to help develop a rehabilitation plan for the uranium mill tailings sites.
Cut and fill stoping at Selco's South Bay Mine / presented at Fifth Annual District 4 meeting, Flin Flon, Manitoba, September 19, 2980
(Boojum Research Ltd., 1980-09-19) Fotheringham, W. J.
Selco Mining Corporation's South Bay Mine was discovered by Questor Surveys on May 10, 1968 with production commencing }larch 3 1971. The zinc-copper silver orebodieCut and fill stoping at Selco's South Bay Mines average 200-300 feet in length and 20-30 feet in width, dip.at varying degrees to the south, and occur along a zone of chlorite alteration at the porphory volcanic contact. As of the end of August 1980 a total of 1,593,340 tons had been milled. Present ore reserves will provide mill feed until June 1981. The mine is serviced by a 2100 foot, 4 compartment _shaft consisting of a service-manway compartment, two skipping compartments one of which is equipped with a skip over cage combination,and a sinking compartment. Hoisting is carried out with 250 HP Ingersoll Rand PE-1 60" x 48" double drum hoist at a rope speed of 960 fpm. Further information as to equipment specifications is included in Table A in the appendix. The mining operation is completely trackless and a variety of mining methods includin6 longhole, shrinkage, cut and fill using mechanically placed waste rock,and hydraulic cut and fill have be􀁰􀁱 employed. 􀁳mp at -20% provides L.H.D. access as far as the 900 level. Below this level all equipment is captive and is serviced by shops at each level. Ventilation is supplied at 100,000 cfm at 6" static pressure via the ramp from a 60" Joy Axivane fan situated adjacent the portal. Booster fans at the 900 level supply 75000 cfm to the lower mining levels through a series of ventilation raises.
Long-term ecological behaviour of abandoned uranium mill tailings : 1. Synoptic survey and identification of invading biota / for Environment Canada
(1983-03) Kalin, Margarete A.
Inactive uranium mill tailings were surveyed in the Province of Ontario to describe their surface characteristics, identify naturally invading biota, and determine essential chemical and physical parameters associated with the tailings. Inactive tailings sites can have wet areas, tailings completely covered with water, and dry areas. In the wet areas of most sites, wetland vegetation stands were found which were dominated by species of cattails (Typhaceae), along with some species of rushes (Juncaceae) and sedges ( Cyperceae). Dry areas of the tailings exhibited a variety of surface features which are often a reflection of different amelioration efforts. Most of the indigenous species of vascular plants identified on dry areas of the tailings occurred only sporadically. Invading plants found on most sites were the tree species, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Elemental concentration and some physical characteristics of the tailings collected from a depth of 0-20 cm were determined. The concentrations of calcium and uranium were found to have extremely large variations and cannot be considered typical for the tailings material of a site or an area (Bancroft and/or Elliot Lake). Concentrations of aluminum, copper, cobalt, magnesium, manganese and nickel in the tailings were less varied. In all tailings materials from the Bancroft area, concentration ranges of the above elements were similar to those of soils collected from both areas and to the values quoted in literature. The elements sodium and lead are possibly enriched in the tailings of the Bancroft area compared to mineral soils from the same area, and to soils in general. For the tailings in the Elliot Lake area, aluminum, chlorine, magnesium and nickel were determined in concentration ranges typical of soils, but manganese and sodium were depleted in the surface of those tailings. Lead concentrations in the tailings were elevated in this area. Thus, considering concentrations of selected elements in tailings, differences between the mining areas are evident. A comparison of pH, electrical conductivity, loss-on-ignition and moisture loss of tailings with that of soils, suggests that tailings differ drastically in these characteristics. These results are important with respect to natural rehabilitation of inactive or abandoned uranium mill tailings. Uptake of heavy metals and radionuclides was evaluated in trees found in the dry areas and in cattails (Typha latifolia) in the wetland areas. In trees, the metals and radionuclides were distributed throughout all organs whereas in the cattails, a large fraction was retained in the roots. Concentration factors (plant/tailings concentrations) were found to be generally below unity, with some exceptions for radium-226 in the cattails. Water bodies on tailings and surface water leaving the tailings, before and after treatment, were characterized in this survey. The surface waters on the tailings and seepages were usually acidic; however, the pH was not lower than that of most waters leaving natural acidic environments (bogs or muskegs). The treatment of the effluent water was found to reduce production of biomass as estimated by determination of chlorophyll a. Radionuclide and metal concentrations in waters associated with tailings were found to have extremely large variations. Detailed work is required to determine the factors controlling the physical and chemical characteristics of surface waters on tailings. Aquatic_ bryophytes have invaded some water bodies on the tailings, and acid tolerant algae were evident in most of the water associated with the tailings. The promotion of growth of these biota together with the wetland communities on the tailings beaches may provide some means of natural amelioration for the wet areas of the inactive tailings sites in the long-term. Some inactive tailings sites, described in this survey, were completely covered with water and wetland vegetation. The interactions of these biota with the tailings could be investigated on these sites. Ecological processes occurring on inactive uranium mill tailings which were identified in this survey are essential in evaluating the long-term fate of these waste sites.
Rayrock North West Territories [sic] : history, uranium tailings and environment.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1984-03-31) Kalin, Margarete A.
The Rayrock Mine Site is located about 145 km northwest of Yellowknife and 56 km north of Marian Lake. Rayrock Mines Limited recovered 458,000 pounds of yellow-cake between June 1957 and July 1959, leaving about 80,000 tons of tailings in two piles to the south of the mine site. The piles cover an area of about 6 and 8 ha. are free of vegetation and have small water bodies in depressions on the edges of the pile and at lowest points of the pile. These waters directly in contact with tailings appear to be high in radium and copper, reflecting the elevated concentrations of these elements in the tailings. Radium.. and lead-210 concentrations are high in the tailings compared to other abandoned or inactive uranium mill tailings sites in Canada. However, the concentrations in the waste material can range from 350 to 3,300 pCi /g for Radium-226 and 350 to 3,000 pCi/g for Lead-210. A representative average concentration for Radium-226 and Lead-210 in the Rayrock tailings cannot be determined as only a small sample set has been analyzed. Contaminated soil underneath a tailings cover, particularly in the North tailings pile arid on the edges of both piles, was found. The size of the area with contaminated soil is not known , but. this soil may be a source of contamination for vegetation rooted below the thin tailings cover. A second possible source of contamination of vegetation in the vicinity may be windblown tailings originating from the more dry, South tailings pile. Although the coarse tailings are weak acid generating and have been in contact with some water bodies for more than two decades, the water pH has riot been affected. The water quality parameter analyzed for Sherman Lake and the downstream system suggest, tentatively, that on the small Lakes Alpha and Gamma have been contaminated, but all other water bodies show no evidence of contamination related to the tailings decomposition.
Port Radium, Northwest Territories: An evaluation of environmental effects of the uranium and silver tailings
(Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Toronto, 1984-11) Kalin, Margarete A.
Of primary importance in this work was the identification of the locations of uranium mill tailings, or any wastes containing long-lived radionuclides around Port Radium. On the peninsula, depressions were utilized initially for waste disposal during the uranium mining era, as for example Radium Lake and Murphy Lake. Radium Lake has been covered for some time with waste rock and overburden. Since the closure of the silver mine in May 1982, Echo Bay Mines Ltd. has undertaken the covering of most of Murphy Lake with waste rock. The West Adit Tailings Area was the only area identified on land where wastes from the uranium milling operation have collected but remain uncovered. Minor amounts of uranium tailings are found on the rock slope above West Adit and in the spillway of Murphy Creek. About one million tons of uranium mill tailings have been discharged into Murphy Bay, via Murphy Creek and down the slope of West Adit.
Long-term ecological behaviour of abandoned uranium mill tailings : 2. growth patterns of indigenous vegetation on terrestrial and semi-aquatic areas
(Environment Canada, Atomic Energy Control Board, Energy, Mines & Resources Canada, 1984-12) Kalin, Margarete A.; Environment Canada; Atomic Energy Control Board; Energy, Mines and Resources Canada
Semi-aquatic and terrestrial areas on abandoned or inactive uranium mill tailings in Ontario were studied in order to identify the growth characteristics of the naturally invading species dominating these areas. Semi-aquatic areas of tailings sites have been invaded by cattails. These species formed wetland communities which varied in size, but all were essentially monocultures of Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia, or of the hybrids T. glauca. Sedges, Scripus cyperinus (wool-grass) and Phragmites australis (reedgrass), were found in transition zones between the cattail stand and the dry section of the tailings site. The expansion of the cattail stands appeared to be controlled by the hydrological conditions on the site, rather than the chemical characteristics of the tailings.
Kam-Kotia tailings reclamation by ecological engineering : feasibility evaluation : phase 1.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1985-01-01) Kalin, Margarete A.; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Report examines the potential use of ecological engineering in the rehabilitation of mine tailings at the Kam-Kotia mine. The report outlines a program for rehabilitation.
Kam-Kotia : phase 1 & 2 / for Ministry of Natural Resources Timmins, Ontario
(1985-01-01) Kalin, Margarete A.
This report summarizes the results of the assessments and outlines a general concept for reclaiming the Kam-Kotia (KK) tailings with ecological engineering measures.The discussion of the preliminary findings is presented in the report as Phase 1. As the requirements for this approach appeared very promising a detailed outline for a Phase 2 pilot project is provided in Appendix A. The pilot project defines more precisely the long term viability of the proposed approach and will result in realistic costing parameters for the overall reclamation scheme of the site.
A feasibility investigation of the potential use of the "Chara process" and indigenous biota as passive polishing agents for cyanide in waste liquors at Arvida / for D.O. Johnson, Alcan International Ltd., Kingston Laboratories
(1985-04-08) Kalin, Margarete A.
Report examines the potential use of indigenous algal-bacterial flora and/or Chara as passive polishing agents for the removal of cyanide from Arvida waste waters.
A feasibility study on the use of the Chara process and an assessment of the reclamation by ecological engineering for the Levack tailings / prepared for T. Peters (Agriculture INCO) by M. Kalin
(1985-04-15) Kalin, Margarete A.
Report examines the Levack tailings area to determine the range of physical and chemical characteristics at the site, discover indigenous flora at the site to characterize the ecosystem, and to test the growth and survival of Chara in Levack pond water.
Ecological engineering tests of concepts and assumptions on Levack / proposed by M. Kalin for discussion with INCO Ltd
(1985-05-10) Kalin, Margarete A.
The proposed approach, i.e. ecological engineering, involves the development of economical methods which result in a self-maintaining long-term and stable vegetation cover, that will reduce infiltration of air and water to the tailings, and hence, may curtail acid generation. Ecological engineering is based on the observation that certain plants invade and grow in terrestrial (dry) and aquatic (submerged) areas of tailings sites, if given sufficient time and the appropriate conditions.
The Chara process : biological economization of mill effluent treatment potential applications and preliminary results / for CANMET.
(1985-05-31) Kalin, Margarete A.
Report examines the potential use of the "Chara process" as a biological method for waste water treatment and reclamation in base-metal mining operations that can be used to economize costs.
A synthesis and analysis of information on inactive hardrock mine sites in Yukon and Northwest Territories: analysis and evaluation of environmental data, volume 1.
(Boojum Research Ltd., 1985-12) Kalin, Margarete A.
In the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, mining has, for a long time, been a major industry. The resource industry continues to be a significant economic factor in the Canadian North, and due to increasing environmental awareness, the regulation of mining activities for the protection of the environment is an important issue of debate. In both territories, environmental concerns have been expressed at several lev- els about inactive or abandoned hard rock mining operations, some of which started operations as early as the beginning of the twentieth century, and in the 1930's to 1950's. Mining is associated with the production of waste materials (tailings and waste rock), which could affect, if they are not managed appropriately, the environmental quality in the vicinity of the mine site. It is possible that abandoned mine sites generate environmentally unacceptable conditions. Environmental degradation from past hard rock mining operations can be expected, but this is likely less significant than the environmental problems which may be caused by mine abandonment of both present and future operations, given the difference in scale between past and present activities. It is generally accepted that environmentally sound solutions have to be found for the management of wastes after cessation of the mining activities. Such solutions however, are particularly difficult to perceive in the absence of a technical evaluation of the long term environmental effects of mining wastes. The objective of this work was to obtain a perspective on the magnitude of potential environmental implications inherited from past hard rock (lode) operations. Geographical, historical and environmental data on 21 inactive mine sites in the Northwest Territories and 10 sites in the Yukon have been summarized and evaluated with respect to water quality objectives and metal concentrations reported for background ( 11 non mining environment 11 ) values for sediments and soils. Sites were selected for inclusion in the evaluation based on two criteria. One was that the site had been abandoned before 1983 and the other that the mine site was associated with a mill, i.e. producing tailings. However, inclusion of a site in this report carries no legal implications with respect to decommissioning of the property. Historical and geographical data about each site were assembled from open literature as well as other sources. Environmental data, consisting predominantly of elemental concentrations in water and sediments associated with the mine site and those in tailings, originated mainly from monitoring government and mining company files. In Volumes 11 and 111, historical and geographical information is presented for each mine site for the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, respectively. For each site, topographical maps, aerial and site photographs are associated with a fact sheet, which contains information about the history, geology, milling and tailings. Potential environmental concerns, based on this information, are identified. In Volume I, monitoring data from each site are organized into tables (hard copy and floppies Appendix to Vol. I) from which minimum and maximum concentrations of elements for each site were extracted. These values formed the basis on which the elements As, Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, Ni, Se, Ag , Zn and Hg were evaluated, comparing the concentrations to natural ranges reported for sediments and soils or water quality objectives set for the protection of aquatic life. Other elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, Na, S, Si, Th, Va, U) and physical parameters, (for example pH and electrical conductivity), were recorded and used as descriptive and comparative characteristics of the three environmental components (water, sediment and tailings) evaluated. Milling processes used and the environmental fate of milling reagents- is discussed in relation to long term environmental implications. In one mining operation (Discovery - NWT-5), mercury used in amalgamation is the only process reagent which might have contributed to some environmental degradation. Lead, arser)ic, mercury and cyanide, frequently evoke concerns in relation tomining wastes. These elements are discussed, with a focus on their environmental fate in the long term. The ranges of arsenic and lead concentrations found in the tailings, compared to those in soil, revealed that for both elements, the values generally reflect those of local mineralogy, since the elemental composition of the tailings differs only marginally from that of the host rock. Both arsenic and lead are natural constituents of the mine site environs. Mercury, on the other hand, when concentrations in the tailings are found to be elevated, may be present as a result of past milling practices. Cyanide used in the extraction of gold would be present in the environment of the inactive mine sites in the form of cyano-metal complexes, since these are persistent substances. Given its biological and photochemical degradation, cyanide can be considered an environmental concern strictly related to ongoing operations. For abandoned mine sites, therefore, it is a concern of the past. It was concluded that when local mineralogy and milling processes of the past are thoroughly considered, environmental concerns could not be substantiated by an exhaustive evaluation of available monitory data. Several characteristics, for example, acid generation, which are essential in determining potential environmental concerns relating to abandoned or to be abandoned mining wastes, were identified. The abandoned sites evaluated for both territories were categorized with respect to missing essential environmental information, i.e. where concerns could not be substantiated or refuted based solely on the available data. Conclusions and recommendations were formulated in conjunction with an evaluation of health concerns and safety considerations directly related to human health, such as site location with respect to public access, proximity to potable water supplies, as well as the absence or presence of essential environmental information. In summary, it was concluded, that severe environmental degradation could not be identified at any of the 31 sites in both territories where wastes have remained unattended over at least the past decade. For 5 sites, potential environmental concerns with respect to degradation of land/and or water quality appear warranted, and a focused investigation is recommended for Discovery, Ptarmigan and Thompson-Lundmark in the Northwest Territories, and for Mount Nansen and Venus in the Yukon. The essential components for such an investigation are outlined, with specific reference to that information necessary for a comprehensive assessment of the potential long term environmental concerns. Such information was often missing from the data available for this present study. The data base for inactive hard rock mining operations assembled here, was found to provide a technical basis on which criteria relevant to the development of suitable abandonment procedures for future hard rock mining operations in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon could be formulated. Surely an understanding of the environmental implications of past operations may provide the means for ensuring the future protection of the environment.
A water management plan for South Bay Mines / prepared for Selco Division, BP Resources
(Boojum Research Ltd., 1986-02-10) J. E. Hanna Associates
This report sets out the basis for developing a water management plan for SELCO' s South Bay mine in northwestern Ontario. This first section provides a description of the site, reviews the history of the mine and describes the scope and objectives of the study. The second and third chapters review the hydrology and water quality of the drainage systems and waterbodies on the site. On the basis of these characteristics, chapter four identifies the key areas requiring attention and sets out a rationale and proposed strategy for dealing with the various areas. The last chapter summarizes the recommendations arising from the study and provides an implementation sequence for the plan
Developing a technique for reclamation of high iron sulphur tailings by establishing a marshland : phase 1, selection of suitable plant material and methods of establishment.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1986-03) Kalin, Margarete A.; Falconbridge Limited
Report discusses the germination of seeds in different aquatic environments.
Ecological engineering : tests of concepts and assumptions on Levack, Year 1 : ecology
(1986-03) Kalin, Margarete A.
The objectives and results of the Ecological Engineering endeavours conducted on the Levack tailings by Boojum Research Ltd. as part of an INCO/RATS/Boojum agreement, are summarized in the five sections below. The first section covers methods for establishing and promoting the expansion of cattail stands. The second considers the various waste water distribution systems tested. The third deals with the selection of suitable species for establishment on extreme acid or alkaline areas. The fourth examines methods of oxygen measurements in the root zones of various vegetation covers and considers the relationship to acid generation as well as outlining the results of preliminary efforts to establish and promote a moss cover on acid and alkaline tailings. Finally, the fifth section summarizes the chemical, physical and biological analysis of a seepage creek with the aim of developing a self-sustaining seepage treatment system for close-out.
Acidophilic aquatic mosses as biological polishing agents / for Dr. Ron McCready, CANMET, Energy, Mines and Resources
(1986-03) Kalin, Margarete A.; Buggeln, R.
Report examines the ability of vascular and non-vascular aquatic plants to adsorb hazardous materials from waste water.
The development of a vegetative cover on the Levack tailings area : the preliminary work, 1985.
(INCO Limited, 1986-05) Orford, Gaynor; CANMET; INCO Limited
Report examines the use of ecological engineering at the Levack Tailings area with the aim of showing that indigenous vegetation could be used in rehabilitation of acidic and alkaline areas.

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