The development of coal deposits is accompanied by negative environmental changes. In the territory of the Kizel coal basin (Perm Region, Russia), the problem of contamination of water sources by acid mine waters and runoff from rock dumps is particularly acute. Mine waters are acidic (pH 2–3), with high mineralization (up to 25 g/L) and significant content of sulfate ions, iron, aluminum, manganese, toxic trace elements (As, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn). They are formed as a result of the interaction of underground waters from flooded mines of the Kizel basin with coal and rocks of dumps with high sulfur content (15%). Uncontrolled inflow of mine water into rivers (about 22 million m3 annually) leads to significant amounts of iron and aluminum hydroxide precipitation. These precipitations are in active interaction with river water, polluting the rivers tens of kilometers downstream and are entering the Kama reservoir. Studies of alluvial precipitation can be considered as a method of control and predictors of technogenic water pollution. The mineral composition of river sediments was studied with the application of different methods, including studies of sand-gravel and silty-clayey sediments. The sandy-gravel grains in the bottom load are mainly composed by natural minerals and are represented by a significant number of particles of coal dumps, slags and magnetic spherules. The silty-clayey material, mixed with natural minerals, contains a significant number of amorphous phases with a predominance of iron-rich substances, which may actively concentrate toxic elements. The presence of jarosite, goethite, basaluminite, lepidorocite and copiapite in silty-clayey sediments are indicators of the influence of mine waters.
In terms of anthropogenic impact of mining and processing enterprises, the adjacent territories are contaminated by upstream tailings dams. The contamination is developed by active seepage of liquid waste through the body of the dams. The authors have analyzed water balance at the Kachkanar Mining and Processing Plant tailings dump (Russia, Ural Region). The company develops vanadium-containing titanium-magnetite iron ores with low ore (15%). This, along with high productivity, has determined the formation of a large number of tailings and significant amount of wastewater. The purpose of the studies is to substantiate the need to manage the seepage discharge process by means of enclosing dams to ensure environmentally safe operation of the tailings dump. The research objectives included field measurements of seepage volumes, their evaluation by computational methods and analysis of anthropogenic geochemical load on natural waters. The obtained results show an increase in seepage discharge volume from 41.91 million m3 (in 2017) to 81.44 million m3 (in 2026) as the height of the dams increases. These losses will lead to water shortages in the enterprise’s water recycling system. Calculation of pollutants in wastewater with the exception of natural component showed the leading role of technogenic factor in the content of Ti (up to 84%), V (up to 96%), Co (up to 86%) and Mo (up to 93%). Increasing the volume of seepage discharge will lead to an increase in natural water pollution within the area. Ecologically efficient management of the enterprise’s water balance is ensured by the use of tailings thickening technology and implementation of closed water supply systems.
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.
Пермский государственный национальный исследовательский университет Россия, Пермь Актуальность. Калийные соли являются важным и востребованным ресурсом, разработка которого ввиду достаточного уровня обеспеченности и возрастающей потребности в мировом хозяйстве неуклонно возрастает. Добыча и переработка калийных солей приводят к изменениям химического состава различных компонентов природной среды в районах месторождений. В особенности эти изменения характерны для водной составляющей экосистем, к которой относятся подземные воды зоны активного водообмена. Цель работы. Определение комплекса химических элементов-индикаторов воздействия калийной промышленности на состав подземных вод зоны активного водообмена и характеристика источников поступления этих элементов в водную среду. Методология исследования. В работе обобщены сведения по крупнейшим калийным месторождениям мира. Описаны особенности их генезиса, способы разработки руд и их обогащения. Приведена характеристика химического состава руд калийных месторождений, отходов калийного производства, а также результаты гидрохимических исследований подземных вод в различных регионах добычи калия. Результаты. Проведенный анализ показал, что крупнейшие калийные месторождения мира характеризуются преобладанием солей хлоридного типа. Основным минеральным компонентом разрабатываемых калийных залежей в абсолютном большинстве случаев является сильвин, подчиненную роль играют карналлит и группа сульфатных минералов. Преобладающее количество промышленно разрабатываемых калийных руд являются залежами твердых ископаемых солей, добыча которых производится шахтным способом. Технологии обогащения, по сути, представлены двумя основными методами-флотационным и химическим. Выводы. В результате исследования выделен комплекс химических элементов, определяющих направление трансформации химического состава подземных вод. С учетом их роли в формировании состава калийных руд, способности к водной миграции и опасности для человека этот комплекс подразделен на ведущие (Cl, Na, K) и второстепенные (S, Ca, Mg) макрокомпоненты солей, ведущие микрокомпоненты солей (галогены, щелочные и щелочноземельные металлы), а также акцессорные микрокомпоненты солей (тяжелые металлы, полуметаллы и неметаллы). Ключевые слова: подземные воды; химический состав; месторождения калийных солей; техногенез; производственные отходы; геохимические индикаторы.
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