Carbonaceous Materials Problems Associated With Reclamatio

Abstract

This paper presents a staged investigation strategy for assessing the geochemical nature of overburden and other mining wastes for developing environmentally sound waste management operations. The approach is based on the results of investigations carried out by the author at more than 20 mining operations in .Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Acidity, salinity, sodium (sodic) and heavy metal aspects are considered and testing programs outlined. Data on acid generation from 10 sites is presented which demonstrates that short term leaching tests can lead to serious errors in the assessment of results.

Environmental Aspects of Trace Elements in Coal

“…In coal mine operations, acid production leading to acid mine drainage and /or acid sulfate overburden predominantly results from pyrite and marcasite oxidation (Boon and Smith, 1985;Caruccio et aI., 1988;Sobek et aI., 1987). Because of the presence and relative abundance of carbonate in surficial strata within arid and semi-arid environments, the acid generation potential of coal mines of western North America was, in the past, considered unimportant (Boon and Smith, 1985).…”

“…Many of the transition metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) as well as Hg and Pb have been suspected as having the potential to cause problems (Boon and Smith, 1985) but over the last decade western USA states have moved away from strict legislation of acceptable levels and more toward the establishment of suitable overburden metal levels. Many of the transition metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) as well as Hg and Pb have been suspected as having the potential to cause problems (Boon and Smith, 1985) but over the last decade western USA states have moved away from strict legislation of acceptable levels and more toward the establishment of suitable overburden metal levels.…”

“…High levels of B are found in materials that contain appreciable biologically inert organic C, such as carbonaceous shales, leonardite, or coal slack (Boon and Smith, 1985). The difference between required amounts of B and toxic amounts is very small -commonly only a few parts per million in cover soil.…”

Proceedings of the 1990 Billings land reclamation symposium on Selenium in arid and semiarid environments, Western United States

“…Spoils and processing waste materials from these minerals often contain potentially toxic amounts of selenium. Boon and Smith ( 1985) reported selenium enrichments in coals and carbonaceous materials. Lithochromic or carbonaceous materials and coal stringers occur in the overburden and spoil of some surface mines.…”

“…In some areas, it is thought that seleniumcontaining organic compounds compose a significant portion of the soluble selenium fraction in naturally occurring soils. Lithochromic/carbonaceous or high clay content plant growth media frequently contain higher selenium concentrations (Boon and Smith, 1985).…”