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 181

The abandonment of the South Bay waste management area.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1989-06) Boojum Research Limited; BP Resources Canada Limited
Abandonment plan for South Bay Mines, BP Resources, Selco Division.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1987-02) Kalin, Margarete A.; BP Resources Canada Limited. Selco Division
It was essential for our attempted formulation of close-out measures for the South Bay Mine site to assess the existing environmental conditions. Background information was reviewed, and an Ecological Engineering approach was drafted, based on evaluations carried out between April and July, 1986. In a presentation to the Ministry of the Environment, Northwestern Region, Kenora, submissions were made respecting the approach being taken and the experiments underway (August 19, 1986). Approval in principle was obtained for the pilot demonstration in September, 1986, of Ecological Engineering measures for close-out and abandonment of the copper and zinc concentrator wastes at South Bay Mines, BP Resources, Selco Division.
An abbreviated history of the development of the "insitu seepage treatment" (bioremediation) concept at the abandoned South Bay property
(Boojum Research Ltd., 2001-05-16)
The South Bay mine, a copper/zinc producer, was operated by Selco Inc. during the period 1971-1981. · Surface facilities were decommissioned/removed in 1987-88. · Boojum Research began "ecological engineering" work at the site in 1986, with a principal focus on minesite contamination and Boomerang Lake. · This summary is provided in support of Talisman's plan to "scale-up" insitu seepage treatment (bioremediation) in order to control contaminated groundwater seepage emanating from the South Bay tailing deposit. The bioremediation activity proposed would be confined to the existing "waste management area" at South Bay. · This summary focuses on insitu bioremediation of contaminated groundwater from the tailings area, and does not address the many other aspects of "ecological engineering" ongoing at the site. For a fuller discussion of ecological engineering at South Bay, see update reports provided earlier by Talisman entitled "South Bay Discussion (1998)" and "South Bay Progress Report (1998-2000)".
The acid generation potential of iron precipitates and their sludge in decommissioning with ecological engineering
(Boojum Research Ltd., 2003-06-24) Kalin, Margarete A.
The Ecological Engineering approach to decommissioning mine sites, which has been applied at the South Bay Waste Management Area (SBWMA), takes advantage of a number of naturallyoccurring processes to correct problems associated with acid mine drainage. One of these natural processes is to allow the formation of iron precipitates to occur without adding neutralisation chemicals such as lime as this requires the maintenance of a chemical treatment plant, often in perpetuity. Such plants produce, as a secondary waste, a sludge containing high metal concentrations, which needs disposal. For South Bay, a former Cu/Zn Mine with tailings and underground workings producing AMD, natural sludge production is estimated to be about 30 m 3 annually. The estimated sludge production for a high-density treatment plant would generate about 1,200m3 of sludge per year, including spent lime, while a general treatment plant would generate 3000 m3 per year (Kalin, 2001). The tailings consist of 41 % pyrite and 4 % pyrrhotite and are expected to generate AMD for anywhere between 1000 to 35,000 years. From an economic and environmental viewpoint the Ecological Engineering technology developed at this site in the last 15 years should not be dismissed without careful consideration. Ecological Engineering integrates natural iron - precipitation, alkalinity generation by microbes and biological polishing along with measures to reduce the rates of acid generation. The objective of this report is to summarize the acidification associated with iron precipitation which occurs in the discharge of contaminated ground water seepages. It will address precipitate formation in mine working discharges to the Backfill Raise Ditch (BRD), in the relevant water bodies of the SBWMA, which include Boomerang and Mud Lakes which have been utilized as polishing ponds and Armanda Lake, inadvertently acidified by effluent from Mud Lake.
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.
Algal biopolishing of zinc : final report
(1992) Kalin, Margarete A.; Wheeler, W. N.
Report examines the relationship between periphytic algae and the removal of zinc from waste water.
Analysis and evaluation of pre-monitoring data for Kidd Creek Mines Ltd.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1987-12) Kalin, Margarete A.; Wall, D.
Report discusses data which was collected from the Kidd Creek Mines Ltd. and evaluated using the Ontario Effluent Monitoring Priority Pollutants List (OEMPPL).
Appendix 4 : update October 2004 (Rabbit Lake)
(2004-10-15)
Water quality has been monitored in the Rabbit Lake drainage basin since 1980, but not continuously, or with the same frequency at all stations. However large data sets do exist for six stations monitored until 2000 and for five the monitoring continues until 2004. This long term data set provides a valuable measure of the effects of the only major ecological measure taken within the basin, the transplanting, in 1989, of several tons of an algal biomass from Lower Link Lake to Upper Link Lake. The growth and expansion of this population into a thriving underwater meadow was monitored until 2000 and is described in a summary report included with this submission.
The application of ecological engineering for close-out at Buchans : final report / for ASARCO Incorporated Buchans Unit and Abitibi-Price Incorporated
(1992-01-23)
Report examines the use of ecological engineering at the Buchans mine. The processes employed to assist in rehabilitation continued to be successful, as such Boojum Research was asked to expand their test area to include the Lucky Strike Drainage Tunnel.
The application of ecological engineering for close-out at Buchans : final report /prepared for Mr. George Neary, Joint Venture Group at Buchans NFLD., ASARCO INC. - Abitibi-Price Inc.
(1992-12) Kalin, Margarete A.
Report provides information pertaining to the use of the ARUM process and ecological engineering at the Buchans mine. The report includes data from the Oriental pits, and the tailings pond.
The application of ecological engineering to Selminco Summit : final report / prepared for: G. Landry
(1993-07) Kalin, Margarete A.
Report outlines how ecological engineering will be used to treat the Selminco coal dump. The report also contains details regarding the experiments conducted to determine how best to employ ecological engineering at this site.
Aquatic monitoring in the vicinity of the South Bay Mine, northwest Ontario / prepared for prepared for Talisman Energy Inc.
(Boojum Research Ltd., 1997-09) Salmo Consulting Inc.
Talisman Energy Inc. (Talisman) is responsible for maintenance and monitoring at the South Bay mine in northwest Ontario. This underground copper and zinc mine was operated from 1971 to 1981 and was subsequently decommissioned in the mid-1980's. Talisman is currently utilizing 'ecological engineering' to neutralize acid mine drainage (AMD) from the former mine area. Modeling predicts that AMD will continue for a minimum of 1,000 years and a maximum of 36,000 years (Kalin 1994). Water quality monitoring conducted for Talisman indicates that acid discharge and heavy metals are reaching nearby Confederation Lake in both surface and groundwater (Kalin 1994). Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy (MOEE), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) are concerned that this input could have long term or chronic effects. Prior monitoring has focused on biophysical conditions on the former mine site, and on the chemical composition of AMD discharges. Available data do not allow definition of the chemical or biological zone of influence of South Bay Mine discharges on Confederation Lake, nor do they help determine whether Confederation Lake is being stressed by one or more disturbances. Salmo Consulting Inc. was asked to design a cooperative aquatic monitoring program to: 1. define the zone of influence of mine discharges; 2. differentiate effects from other potential disturbance sources; and 3. determine whether Confederation Lake is being stressed by mine discharge . This report summarizes aquatic monitoring data collected in the South Bay mine area to address these objectives. Data sources include earlier studies conducted by MNR, MOEE, and consultants to Talisman, and water quality, sediment chemistry, benthic invertebrate, and phytoplankton data collected in August, 1995. Section 1 describes the biophysical setting of the South Bay mine and summarizes historical monitoring and biophysical information. Methods used during the August 1995 sampling program are given in Section 2. Aquatic ecosystem information for Confederation Lake and the three AMD discharge areas is provided in Section 3. Section 3.1 reviews historical and August 1995 water quality, sediment chemistry, benthic invertebrate, and phytoplankton data for Confederation Lake and discusses overall health of the lake and its three sub-basins. Similar data specific to the Boomerang Lake, Mill Bay, and Mud Lake AMD discharge areas are presented in Sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4, respectively. Each section begins with a review of the AMD discharge characteristics, reviews monitoring data, and discusses the observed zone of influence. Section 4 summarizes information from Confederation Lake and the three AMD discharge areas and provides conclusions for the three monitoring objectives identified above.
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.
An assessment of Prince Colliery effluents and their treatment : final report.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1992-08) Kalin, Margarete A.; Dearborn Environmental Consulting Group
Report describes the steps taken to determine a treatment option for the Prince Mine.
Assessment of seepage characteristics waste rock pile and holding pond : Hope Brook Gold Mines Ltd.
(Boojum Research Limited, 1988-08-31) Kalin, Margarete A.; Van Everdingen, R. O.; Hope Brook Gold Mines Limited.
Report examines the acid mine drainage from the Hope Brook waste-rock pile and seepage into creeks from the pile and a holding pond.
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.
Bacterial consortia in acid mine groundwater seepage: final report
(National Research Council Canada, Biotechnology Research Institute / Submitted to: Dr. M. Kalin, President Boojum Research Ltd., Toronto, 1997-05-28) Bergeron, Hélène; Lau, Peter C.K.
What is expected to be there (bacteria) is there and much more. This study reiterates the versatility and powerfulness of the 16s rDNA sequencing technology in the identification of microbial community in a natural environmental setting without prior cultivation. The challenge at hand is to assess activity and abundance of the culprit and beneficial bacteria in the groundwater seepage path and develop a knowledge-based strategy for the reduction of acidity to combat acid mine drainage problem. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach in this effort cannot be overemphasized.

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