scholarly journals A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Assessment of Origin, Fate and Ecotoxicity of Metal(loid)s from Legacy Coal Mine Tailings

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Honorine Gauthier-Manuel ◽  
Diane Radola ◽  
Flavien Choulet ◽  
Martine Buatier ◽  
Raphaël Vauthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Biological Responses ◽  
Receiving Waters ◽  
Coal Tailings ◽  
Produce Acid

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.

scholarly journals Natural oxidation of coal tailings from Middelburg area (South Africa), and impact on acid-generation potential

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. van Wyk ◽  
E. Fosso-Kankeu ◽  
D. Moyakhe ◽  
F.B. Waanders ◽  
M. Le Roux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Acid Base Accounting ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Acid Generation ◽  
Coal Tailings

SYNOPSIS The aim of this study was to determine the acid-generating potential of coal mine tailings located in the Middelburg area, South Africa, using conventional assessment techniques. Four coal-tailing samples were collected from different layers of a coal-tailing pile. The acid-base accounting (ABA), acid-buffering characteristic curve (ABCC), and net acid generation (NAG) methods were used in conjunction with a mineralogical investigation to assess the potential of acid mine drainage (AMD) formation from the tailings. The results showed that the top layer of the pile, which was exposed to the atmosphere, was most likely to form AMD, exhibiting the lowest paste pH (2.5) and ABA of zero kg H2SO4 per ton. The ABA results were compared to ABCC results and mineralogical calculations to confirm the findings. The results from the ABCC test and calculations based on mineralogy indicated that the ABA method overestimates the effective or readily available acid neutralization capacity (ANC) and the true MPA of each sample; only three of the four samples could therefore be classified as acid-forming, but with low acid-generating capacity. Although the findings show that the top layer of the coal tailings in the Middelburg area is most likely to form AMD, it is important for future studies to further investigate the kinetics of acid formation. Keywords: acid mine drainage, acid-base accounting, mineralogy, net acid generation, coal mine tailings.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Transfer of Trace Metals to Spontaneous Plants on Abandoned Pyrrhotite Mine: Potential Application for Phytostabilization of Phosphate Wastes

Plants ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Meryem El Berkaoui ◽  
Mariam El Adnani ◽  
Rachid Hakkou ◽  
Ahmed Ouhammou ◽  
Najib Bendaou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Translocation Factor ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Rehabilitation Process ◽  
Spontaneous Vegetation ◽  
High Concentrations

The abandoned Kettara pyrrhotite mine (Marrakech region, Morocco) is a real source of acid mine drainage (AMD) and heavy metal pollution from previous mining operations—which has spread, particularly because of wind erosion. A store-and-release cover system made of phosphate wastes was built on the site for preventing AMD. To ensure the integrity of this cover and its durability, it is desirable to revegetate it (phytostabilization) with plants adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region. In this paper, a study was carried out on the spontaneous vegetation around the phosphate cover in order to consider the selection of plants to promote the stabilization of the Kettara mine tailings pond. Nine species of native plants with their rhizospheric soils growing in agricultural soils and tailings from the Kettara mine were collected, and metals (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr) were analyzed. The soil analysis showed that the tailings contained high concentrations of Cu (177.64 mg/kg) and Pb (116.80 mg/kg) and that the agricultural soil contained high concentrations of As (25.07 mg/kg) and Cu (251.96 mg/kg) exceeding the toxicity level (Cu > 100 mg/kg, Pb > 100 mg/kg, As > 20 mg/kg). The plant analysis showed low trace metal accumulation in Scolymus hispanicus, Festuca ovina, Cleome brachycarpa, Carlina involucrata and Peganum harmala. These species had a bioconcentration factor (BCF) greater than 1 and a translocation factor (TF) less than 1, demonstrating a high tolerance to trace metals. Therefore, they are good candidates for use in the phytoremediation of the Kettara mine tailings. These species could also potentially be used for the phytostabilization of the phosphate waste cover of the Kettara mine, thus completing the rehabilitation process of this area.

scholarly journals Perceptions of external costs of dust fallout from gold mine tailings: West Wits Basin

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbalenhle Mpanza ◽  
Elhadi Adam ◽  
Raeesa Moolla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
The South ◽  
Dust Pollution ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Persistent Problem

Mining is important for the South African economy, as it is for many developing African nations. In 2017, mining was reported to contribute 6.8 % to the South African GDP and provided more than 460, 000 jobs. Though mining adds an enormous amount of value to the country, it has significant impacts on the environment and the socio-economic factors of society. The well-documented environmental impact of mining operations on surface and groundwater systems, known as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), is just one of these environmental impacts. There are also other impacts such as the pollution of agricultural soils, the creation of sinkholes and air pollution. For example, airborne dust remains a persistent problem in South African urban areas due to the climatic conditions, extensive surface mining, unrehabilitated tailings storage facilities and mineral processing. However, very little is reported on the socio-economic costs that are due to poor environmental management. Some scholars assert that despite the Mine Health and Safety Act, deposition monitoring guidelines and national dust regulations, South Africa still experiences persistent dust problems, especially in coal and gold mining districts. This paper investigates the effect of gold mining dust pollution in and around a Gold Mining Village, in South Africa. A quantitative and qualitative approach was used, where a questionnaire and interviews were conducted to examine the Gold Mine Village perceptions on dust pollution and their socio-economic environment. This paper further examines how poor and premature mine closure by liquidation results in unrehabilitated mine tailings and how this has significant impacts on the socio-economic status of individuals and surrounding businesses. The community being investigated in this study, perceives the dust fallout impact to be a socio-economic threat. The paper finds that the community believes it incurs medical financial expenditures due to treating respiratory-related diseases triggered by dust fallout.

Characteristics of solids produced from coal mine drainage and their suitability for phosphorus control in dairy manure management

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1502-1514
Author(s):  
Robert Hedin ◽  
Benjamin Hedin ◽  
John T. Spargo ◽  
Rachel Brimmer
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Coal Mine Drainage ◽  
Phosphorus Control

scholarly journals Conceptual basis of mining intensification by the geomechanical factor

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 00089
Author(s):  
Serhii Skipochka
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Research ◽  
Iron Ore ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Fixed Costs ◽  
Conceptual Basis ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Materials Analysis ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Protective Structures ◽  
Negative Phenomena

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.

scholarly journals On the Measures to Solve Environmental Problems of the Territory with Intensive Open Pit Coal Mining

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 02006
Author(s):  
Tatiana Gvozdkova ◽  
Pawel Stefanek ◽  
Michaela Koščová
Keyword(s):  
Soil Cover ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Radioactive Isotopes ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Coal Deposits ◽  
Disturbed Land ◽  
Ecological Problems ◽  
Suitable Form

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.

scholarly journals Acid neutralization within limestone sand reactors receiving coal mine drainage

2005 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barnaby J. Watten ◽  
Philip L. Sibrell ◽  
Michael F. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Neutralization ◽  
Coal Mine Drainage ◽  
Limestone Sand
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