scholarly journals Consideration for declaring a Mineral Reserve for TSF mining projects

Author(s):  
S.M. Rupprecht

SYNOPSIS The mining of old tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or dams/dumps has become a common operation in South Africa. This practice has several interesting aspects that are different to normal surface mining operations. When considering the estimation of Mineral Reserves, the Competent Person must take into account the conditions of mining historical TSFs that are often situated in close proximity to communities. This paper discusses the Modifying Factors required to convert a Mineral Resource to a Mineral Reserve, such as mining sequence, dilution, mining losses, and environmental, social/community, and government factors. The paper also investigates the role that Inferred Mineral Resources may play in the life-of-mine plans for tailings dam projects. Keywords: TSF, tailings, hydraulic mining, Mineral Reserve estimation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2369
Author(s):  
Philip-Mark Spanidis ◽  
Christos Roumpos ◽  
Francis Pavloudakis

Surface mining projects are vulnerable to natural hazards (earthquakes, floods, soil instabilities, and epidemic crises) which constitute the primary source of risks which affect the mining operations. In the framework of sustainable planning and development of such projects, the investigation of risk impacts is essential for taking the appropriate preventive measures before disastrous events appear in a mine. This paper proposes a methodology for the risk assessment of natural hazards in surface mining projects using the triangular Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for the determination of the probability of risk occurrence, combined with the Expected Value (EV) function, the Monte Carlo simulation, and the Program Evaluation Review Technique PERT method for making predictions of cost and time overruns. A case study of a hazardous event with impacts in the operations of a surface mine demonstrates the methodology as a flexible and low-cost tool for mining executives. This tool is useful in the planning stage of pre-disaster management projects in the mineral industry, considering mine sustainability views. The research work also investigates critical technical and economic aspects.


Resources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Kasztelewicz ◽  
Mateusz Sikora ◽  
Maciej Zajączkowski

The aim of the article is to present a solution to the research problem that addresses the selection of the opening cut location in the surface mining method. Selecting the opening cut location is a strategic mine planning matter and has a key impact on the overall processes occurring during mining operations. This choice is a complex, and at the same time, mathematically ill-defined issue. The selection procedure should take into account many, often opposing, perspectives of the interveners, who represent the criteria laid down by the technical and organisational, economic, as well as social and environmental groups. In order to be able to compare criteria of a different nature, the authors implemented a multi-criteria method as a solution, derived from operational research. The mathematical tool best suited to the characteristics of the issue of selecting the opening cut location is a method from the ELECTRE family, which was used to create the final solution ranking. The main achievement of the method presented is the specification of a complementary group of assessment criteria and the application of a method allowing a solution to be created, which results in the selection of the most favourable decision variant. The developed method supports decision-makers responsible for making investment decisions in the implementation of mining projects.


Author(s):  
A.F. Klebanov ◽  
M.V. Kadochnikov ◽  
V.V. Ulitin ◽  
D.N. Sizemov

The article addresses the issues of ensuring safe operation of mining equipment in surface mining. It describes the main factors and situations that pose a high risk to human life and health. The most dangerous incidents are shown to be related to limited visibility and blind spots for operators of mining equipment, which can result in collisions and personnel run over. The main technologies and specific solutions used to design collision avoidance systems are described and their general comparison is provided. A particular focus is placed on monitoring the health of employees at their workplace by means of portable personal devices that promptly inform the dispatcher of emergency situations. General technical requirements are formulated for designing of the system to prevent equipment collisions and personnel run over in surface mining operations. The paper emphasizes the importance of introducing a multifunctional safety system in surface mines in order to minimise the possibility of incidents and accidents throughout the entire production cycle.


2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (2/2018) ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
K.Yu. Anistratov ◽  
T.V. Donchenko ◽  
P.I. Opanasenko ◽  
I.B. Strogiy

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeles Mendoza Sammet

This contribution analyzes whether the transboundary use of mineral resources by Canadian companies contributes to local and regional cohesion. The analysis is based on documental reviews, a field visit, and conversations with stakeholders of Canadian mining projects in Mexico. The results strongly suggest that, despite the bene fits that are advertised in the discourses of the Canadian and Mexican governments, this economic relationship is not fostering social cohesion as would be expected. Rather than helping dispossessed sectors of Mexican society satisfy their basic needs, the lack of social responsibility on the part of national governments and some transnational mining companies is generating numerous environmental and social impacts and is resulting in violations of human and indigenous people's rights. This situation, however, is fostering social cohesion through shared values among dispossessed communities in Mexico, and between them and various civic, human rights, and environmental organizations in Canada. Spanish Esta contribución analiza de qué forma el desarrollo de recursos mineros en México por empresas canadienses influye en la cohesión social local y regionalmente. El análisis se basa en revisión documental, visitas de campo y conversaciones con informantes clave. Los resultados fuertemente sugieren que esta relación comercial no está contribuyendo a mejorar la cohesión social como sería de esperarse si la minería contribuyera al desarrollo sustentable según lo promocionan los gobiernos de México y Canadá. En vez de contribuir a reducir la pobreza, se han generado diversos impactos sociales y ambientales debido a la falta de responsabilidad social que prevalece en el sector minero. Estos incluyen violaciones de derechos humanos y gentes indígenas. Sin embargo, estas consecuencias negativas están favoreciendo la cohesión social entre las comunidades afectadas por la minería en México y las organizaciones civiles en Canadá que están ejerciendo presión en Canadá para que haya cambios en el sistema político y legal para asegurar que las empresas canadienses operen de manera social y ambientalmente responsable. French Ce e contribution entend voir de quelle manière l'utilisation transfrontalière des ressources minérales par des entreprises canadiennes contribuent à la cohésion locale et régionale. L'analyse se fonde sur l'examen des documents, une visite sur le terrain, et les interviews menées avec les parties prenantes des projets miniers canadiens au Mexique. Les résultats suggèrent fortement que, malgré les avantages formulés dans le discours des gouvernements canadien et mexicain, ce e relation économique ne conduit pas à la cohésion sociale comme on pourrait s'y attendre. Plutôt que d'aider les secteurs déshérités de la société mexicaine à satisfaire leurs besoins de base, le manque de responsabilité sociale de la part des deux gouvernements nationaux et certaines entreprises minières transnationales produit de nombreux impacts environnementaux et sociaux qui se traduisent par des violations des droits de l'homme des peuples indigènes. Ce e situation, cependant, favorise la cohésion sociale à travers des valeurs partagées entre les communautés dépossédées au Mexique, et entre eux et diff érentes organisations civiles défenseurs des droits de l'homme et environnementaux au Canada.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 00089
Author(s):  
Serhii Skipochka

The goal of the work was to develop a concept of intensification of mining operations, taking into account geomechanical processes occurring in the “rock massif – mining workings – support and protective structures” system. The article is the result of theoretical and experimental research materials analysis and synthesis, carried out for the conditions of coal, non-metallic and iron-ore mines. Positive and negative geomechanical processes and phenomena, occurring during intensification of mining operations, have been substantiated. A set of technical and technological solutions to eliminate the negative phenomena associated with high mining rates development of mineral resources has been proposed. Recommendations, presented in this article, will significantly reduce the conditionally fixed costs of mining production and improve miner’s safety.


2019 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 02006
Author(s):  
Tatiana Gvozdkova ◽  
Pawel Stefanek ◽  
Michaela Koščová

Ecological problems in the open pit mining of coal deposits are extremely hard, since mining operations are accompanied by disturbed land to a large depth with significant changes in the landscape, hydrometeorological conditions, mixing of rocks and removal of infertile or even harmful rocks with radioactive isotopes to the surface. Disturbed lands are unusable if they are not repaired. All man-made disturbances of the environment caused by open pit mining are divided into landscape (changes in terrain, vegetation and soil cover) and environmental (violation of living conditions within the allotment and adjacent lands: changes in water regime, pollution of the soil, air and water basins) onesOne of the most important areas in the field of environmental protection is the reclamation (restoration) of the earth’s surface. In accordance with the requirements of the protection of the subsoil, enterprises engaged in the development of mineral deposits are obliged at their own expense to bring disturbed lands into a state suitable form for their further use. Reclamation of ought to be carried out during open pit mining operations and must be completed after mining of mineral resources in the terms established by the authorities that provide land for use.


Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Honorine Gauthier-Manuel ◽  
Diane Radola ◽  
Flavien Choulet ◽  
Martine Buatier ◽  
Raphaël Vauthier ◽  
...  

Over the course of history, the development of human societies implied the exploitation of mineral resources which generated huge amounts of mining wastes leading to substantial environmental contamination by various metal(loid)s. This is especially the case of coal mine tailings which, subjected to weathering reactions, produce acid mine drainage (AMD), a recurring ecological issue related to current and past mining activities. In this study, we aimed to determine the origin, the fate and the ecotoxicity of metal(loid)s leached from a historical coal tailing heap to the Beuveroux river (Franche-Comté, France) using a combination of mineralogical, chemical and biological approaches. In the constitutive materials of the tailings, we identified galena, tetrahedrite and bournonite as metal-rich minerals and their weathering has led to massive contamination of the water and suspended particles of the river bordering the heap. The ecotoxicity of the AMD has been assessed using Chironomus riparius larvae encaged in the field during a one-month biomonitoring campaign. The larvae showed lethal and sub-lethal (growth and emergence inhibition and delay) impairments at the AMD tributary and near downstream stations. Metal bioaccumulation and subcellular fractionation in the larvae tissues revealed a strong bioavailability of, notably, As, Pb and Tl explaining the observed biological responses. Thus, more than 70 years after the end of mining operations, the coal tailings remain a chronic source of contamination and environmental risks in AMD effluent receiving waters.


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