Environmental considerations related to mining of nonfuel minerals

Abstract

Division; available at http://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdf.Cover. Photograph of the copper solvent-extraction and electrowinning ponds (foreground) and the tailings impoundment (background) at the Sierrita copper mine in Arizona. Water management and solid-waste management are major areas of focus for environmental protection at active mines. Photograph by Robert R. Seal II.

Geoenvironmental Model for Roll-Type Uranium Deposits in the Texas Gulf Coast

“…Excursions are when lixiviant or well field groundwater containing U and other trace elements moves beyond the boundaries of the production area either horizontally beyond the well field or vertically into overlying or underlying aquifers [130] (Figure 6). Excursions are caused by (1) improper water balance between injection and extraction wells, (2) unknown zones of high permeability or faults, (3) improperly abandoned exploration wells, (4) discontinuous confining layers, (5) poor well construction that causes leaking joints or a cracked well casing, and (6) hydrofracturing of the ore zone or surrounding geologic units [21,130]. Excursions of groundwater from active ISR well fields/production areas to surrounding groundwater are a concern that is theoretically mitigated by extensive groundwater monitoring in ISR well fields [21].…”

“…Geoenvironmental models have many purposes, including understanding the environmental behavior of mineralized/hydrothermally altered areas; identifying regions with anomalous natural backgrounds; determining baseline conditions prior to mining or understanding premining conditions; and providing information for land-use planners and mining companies involved in mine permitting, planning, mining, or reclamation to limit or mitigate environmental effects of proposed, active, or abandoned mines [3,4]. The models are best used as guidelines for the potential environmental effects of particular mineral deposit types in particular geographic and climatic regions and are not intended to replace detailed site characterization studies that occur during mine permitting and planning [5].…”