Potash fertilizer production is one of the most important economic activities. Historically, potash mining has had a significant impact on the environment, often with catastrophic consequences. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the results of studies on the environmental impact of potash mining using the example of the Verkhnekamskoe potash deposit. The deposit is located in the central part of the Solikamsk depression in the Pre-Ural foredeep (Perm Krai, Russia). All the main features and problems of underground mining of water-soluble ores and potassium fertilizer production are considered using the example of one of the world’s largest potash deposits. This paper looks into the specifics of the material composition of waste, its disposal, underground mining issues associated with the solubility of salts, and the risks of groundwater inflow into the mine workings, which causes flooding of mines. The results of all surveys show that potash mining affects the atmosphere, surface water, groundwater, soil, and vegetation. The most effective measure to reduce the adverse environmental impact of potash mining at the Verkhnekamskoe Deposit is hydraulic backfilling of mine chambers, which protects the underground mines from flooding, minimizes ground subsidence, and reduces the area of potash waste.
During the development of coal deposits, acid mine waters flowing to the surface cause the formation of acid sulphate soils. We study the effectiveness of soil reclamation by agrochemical and geochemical methods at the site of acid mine water discharge in the Kizel Coal Basin, carried out in 2005 using alkaline waste from soda production and activated sludge. A technosol with a stable phytocenosis was detected on the reclaimed site, and soddy-podzolic soil buried under the technogenic soil layer with no vegetation on the non-reclaimed site. The buried soddy-podzolic soil retains a strong acid рН concentration Н2О = 3. A high content of organic matter (8-1.5 %) is caused by carbonaceous particles; the presence of sulphide minerals reaches a depth of 40 cm. Technosol has a slightly acid pH reaction H2O = 5.5, the content of organic matter due to the use of activated sludge is 19-65 %, the presence of sulphide minerals reaches a depth of 20-40 cm. The total iron content in the upper layers of the technosol did not change (190-200 g/kg), the excess over the background reaches 15 times. There is no contamination with heavy metals and trace elements, single elevated concentrations of Li, Se, B and V are found.
Large amount of solid and liquid waste is a serious issue associated with potash mining and processing. Potash ore enrichment generates solid halite waste, clay-salt slurry, and industrial wastewater with a high content of water-soluble salts. The «environmentally friendly» storage of such waste is a difficult technological issue. Highly mineralised water is stored on the surface and discharged into slurry storage, while some of the effluent is recycled during the production process. Over the long period of slurry storage operation at the Verknekamskoe Potash Deposit, water filtration through the dam and the slurry storage base has created a stable flow of highly mineralised water into the surface water and groundwater. The slurry storage facilities that are currently in use cannot completely fulfil the protective environmental functions. This study provides scientific rationale for the potential use of slurry reservoirs as wastewater treatment facilities. The findings show that there are fewer suspended solids in clarified water: purification efficiency is greater than 99.9%. In the clarified circulating brine, the content of mineral impurities is reduced: the content of chloride ions decreases by 46%, and the content of dry residue decreases by 45.6%. Based on the findings, the study provides recommendations for the construction and new design of a slurry storage that can be used as a treatment facility on the territory of the Verkhnekamskoe Potash Deposit in order to reduce the negative environmental impact.
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