Hydrogeological behaviour of an unsaturated waste rock pile: a case study at the Golden Sunlight Mine, Montana, USA

Azam, Shahid; Wilson, Gordon; Herasymuik, Greg; Nichol, Craig; Barbour, Lee

doi:10.1007/s10064-006-0077-7

Cited by 34 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Previous studies have shown structural variations in waste rock piles that are attributed to pile construction. These include gravitational sorting due to end‐dumping used to deposit the waste rock, and horizontal low permeability layers due to compaction from heavy vehicle traffic (Azam et al, 2007; Anterrieu et al, 2007). Other studies have shown that the physical and chemical properties vary significantly between different piles (Lefebvre et al, 2001a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of Wind‐Induced Pressure Gradients in a Waste Rock Pile

Amos

Blowes

Smith

et al. 2009

Vadose Zone Journal

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An automated data logging system designed to measure gas pressures within a 15‐m‐high waste rock test pile was installed at a diamond mine site in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Data collected from 12 Aug. 2007 to 15 Oct. 2007 shows distinct gas pressure gradients within the waste rock pile. The magnitude of the gradients within the pile shows a clear response to wind speed external to the pile. The direction of the gradients shows a response to the wind direction. The results demonstrate the ability to measure wind‐induced gas pressure gradients within a waste rock pile or other similar porous structures. The general pattern of the observed gradients is inconsistent with the results of numerical modeling assuming homogeneous permeability within the pile. This inconsistency suggests that heterogeneity within the pile and an irregular landscape surrounding the pile affect the way in which the wind flows around and air flows through the rock pile. Calculations of O2 fluxes using the observed gradients show that wind‐induced air flow through the pile has the potential to be a significant mechanism of O2 transport, similar in magnitude to other mechanism such as diffusion and convection. These results suggest that wind‐driven advection may be an important process in waste rock piles where the supply of oxygen limits the overall rate of sulfide oxidation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of Wind‐Induced Pressure Gradients in a Waste Rock Pile

Amos

Blowes

Smith

et al. 2009

Vadose Zone Journal

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“…Samples collected throughout the East Pile deconstruction at the Golden Sunlight Mine (Azam et al, 2007) were subjected to laboratory-based hydrological and physical characterization tests. Laboratory testing showed that material with 48-57% coarse sand size or finer (<4.75 mm) had soil-like matrix supported characteristics.…”

Section: Particle Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

“…An operational waste-rock pile at the Golden Sunlight Mine in southwestern Montana, USA was investigated by Azam et al (2007). Excavation of the East Pile, consisting of predominantly shale and latite rocks with extensive disseminated sulfide, revealed gravity sorting features resulting from the end-dumping method used to construct the piles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Waste-rock hydrogeology and geochemistry

Amos

Blowes

Bailey

et al. 2015

Applied Geochemistry

197

116

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“…On the other side, it is important to focus on the environmental risks connected to EW and, in general, to the risk analysis for different scenarios: (1) the environmental and human health risks related to EW facilities as such, (2) the environmental and human health risks related to EW facilities, in case it is decided to exploit them, (3) the environmental and human health risks if it is decided to move the EW to another place. Numerous studies have investigated the environmental impacts connected to EW facilities and EW management in general (Azam et al 2007;Fields 2003;González-Corrochano et al 2014;Helios Rybicka 1996;Lim et al 2009;Schaider et al 2007;Talavera Mendoza et al 2016;Tiruta-Barna et al 2007;Wong 2003;WHO 2015). Tailings, which are conventionally stored in tailing dams, have often caused damage to nearby soils, agricultural land,natural reserves and aquatic life due to dam failure in places like China, Bolivia and Spain (Grimalt et al 1999;Hudson-Edwards et al 2001;Liu et al 2005).…”

Section: Resource Efficiency and Environmental Protection (Reep) Apprmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable approach towards extractive waste management: Two case studies from Italy

Dino¹,

Mehta²,

Rossetti³

et al. 2018

Resources Policy

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The present paper deals with the different approaches to follow to evaluate the problems (eg. environmental impacts) and potentialities (eg. chance to recover valuable materials from wastelandfill mining approach) connected to mining waste management. Very few research investigated the chance to recover raw materials (RM), critical raw materials (CRM) and secondary raw materials (SRM) from mining waste, on the contraty , several studies investigated the environemtal problems associated to mining waste management (transoport, landfilling, temporary waste facilities, etc.): these two perspectives have been presentend and developed in section 2 (Resource efficiency and environmental protection (REEP) approach). Mining industry represents the most important productive activity (at global level) to exploit RM fundamental for society development. Indeed, resource security is a priority for governments of developed countries. This priority is partly due to considerable concern over the security of the supply of CRM. Their supply is essential to the maintenance and development of the EU economy, as its industries rely on a steady supply of raw materials (RM). Over the centuries, the need for RM continued to expand, as did the number of RM utilised in industry, involving also metals and elements not known or used in the past (Bellenfant et al. 2013). Most of CRM are exploited from countries outside of the EU, causing high economic dependence on non-EU countries (China above all). RM and CRM can be exploited from ore deposits (primary mining), but are also present in landfills and waste streams. The consequence of mining industry is not only the volume of mineral products obtained but also generation of mining waste (also referred to as extractive waste-EW). Extractive wastes (including waste rock-WR, operating residues-OR, and tailings) represent, on the one hand, a problem due to environmental impacts associated to their production and management and, on the other hand, a potential source to recover SRM and CRM. The need of minimizing the negative impacts

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Hydrogeological behaviour of an unsaturated waste rock pile: a case study at the Golden Sunlight Mine, Montana, USA

Cited by 34 publications

References 9 publications

Measurement of Wind‐Induced Pressure Gradients in a Waste Rock Pile

Measurement of Wind‐Induced Pressure Gradients in a Waste Rock Pile

Waste-rock hydrogeology and geochemistry

Sustainable approach towards extractive waste management: Two case studies from Italy

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