A Review about the Sustainability of Pit Lakes as a Rehabilitation Factor after Mine Closure

At the end of surface mining activities, the remnant voids are of great concern regarding rehabilitating the final open pits. The investigation of the sustainability of pit lakes in post-mining regions constitutes a challenging research problem. This paper aims to highlight the effectiveness of pit lakes as a rehabilitation factor. In this framework, several cases worldwide and in Greece were examined in detail and evaluated. The results indicate that mine pit lakes must be evaluated as dynamic systems, natural or artificial, which demand rational mine water management to ensure their sustainability. Specifically in Greece, it is of great importance during the transition to the post-lignite era.

Research Areas in Post-Mining – Experiences from German Hard Coal Mining

The German hard coal mining industry closed its last active mine at the end of the year 2018. The Research Institute for Post-Mining (FZN) at TH Georg Agricola University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany, has developed an integrated approach to meet the challenges of the post-mining era. Therefore, post-mining covers four research areas: Perpetual tasks and mine water management; Geomonitoring in post-mining; Material science for the preservation of industrial heritage; Reactivation and transition. The institute is trying to fulfill central requirements of the UN to deal responsibly and sustainably with the resources of our planet. It plans to be a part of a national and international network in the interest of all social groups and the environment.

Mine Water Management – A study at Edikan Gold Mine (EGM)

Water is an essential part of all mining activities and the availability of quality water year round is critical to mining operations.Mine water is largely employed in drilling, dust suppression, mineral processing and other in-pit operations. Shortage of water ina mine results in poor drilling control, dust pollution, and mill shutdowns, hence a critical need to optimize the use of water invarious mining processes. This paper seeks to establish an effective mine water management system at Edikan Gold Mine (EGM)to have enough water in store for drought conditions. A site water balance was established primarily taking into accounts theinflows and outflows of water at the mine. Results show that rainfall and the Asuafa River are the principal sources of water forEGM mining operations, while the processing plant was the main water user on the mine site. Annual net water balance is alsoestimated to help determine the required capacities of future water storage facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MINE WATER, CONSIDERING EUROPEAN WATER LEGISLATION. CASE STUDY OF MEGALOPOLIS MINES

Mining activities causes many environmental problems to the surrounding areas, as other industrial activities do also. However mine water pollution, is considered a tough task to handle, as it requires specific regulations, quite distinct from those applicable to most other industrial processes. Even though there are several federal laws and regulations in Greece and in the European Union that influences the mining industry and mine water management, still certain factors complicates their implementation. The aim of this paper is to present a brief description of mining legislation in European Union and in Greece and also the efforts of Public Power Corporation (DEI), to integrate the Directive 2000/60/EC and Greek legislation in mining sector. The study is focused in Megalopolis open pit and in its surrounding, where lignite exploitation takes place and management of mine water is implemented. The outcomes of this effort are evaluated, considering the specific environmental conditions of the surrounding area and suggestions and methods, for mine water management, are proposed.