Sustainable Mining Practices: A Global Perspective

312 Pages·2005·4.108 MB·English

by  Vasudevan Rajaram, Subijoy Dutta, Krishna Parameswaran

SUSTAINABLE MINING PRACTICES
Copyright 2005 by Taylor & Francis Group
Sustainable mining practices –
a global perspective
Edited by
Vasudevan Rajaram, Ph.D., J.D.
Complete Environmental Solutions, Oak Brook, IL, USA
Subijoy Dutta, P.E.
S&M Engineering, Crofton, MD, USA
Krishna Parameswaran, Ph.D., P.E.
ASARCOLLC, Phoenix, AZ, USA

A.A. BALKEMA PUBLISHERS LEIDEN/ LONDON/ NEWYORK/ PHILADELPHIA/ SINGAPORE
Copyright 2005 by Taylor & Francis Group
Copyright © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group plc, London, UK
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Published by: A.A. Balkema Publishers Leiden, The Netherlands, a member of
Taylor & Francis Group plc
www.balkema.nl and www.tandf.co.uk
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
ISBN 90-5809-689-0
Printed in Great Britain
Copyright 2005 by Taylor & Francis Group
Contents
About the editors xiii
Contributors xv
Foreword xix
Preface xxi
Acknowledgements xxiii
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
1.1 What is sustainable mining? 2
1.1.1 Is mining really sustainable? 2
1.1.2 What does sustainable development mean for the mining
industry? 3
1.1.3 Sustainable development from the perspective of the mineral
professional community 5
1.2 International sustainability reporting 7
1.2.1 Introduction 7
1.2.2 Sustainable development and eco-efficiency 7
1.2.3 Sustainability reporting and the triple bottom line 7
1.2.4 Measurement tools for sustainability 8
1.3 Scope of the book 9
References 11
Chapter 2 Current status of mining practice 13
2.1 Americas 14
2.1.1 Natural resources 14
2.1.2 Environmental regulatory framework 14
2.1.3 Mining & environmental concerns 20
2.1.4 National Minerals Policy 21
2.1.5 Permitting process 22
References 22
2.2 Asia 23
2.2.1 Introduction 23
2.2.2 India – current state of mining practice 23
2.2.2.1 Natural resources and mining history 23
2.2.2.2 Global challenge and mechanization trend 23
2.2.3 Environmental movement in India 25
2.2.3.1 Environmental regulatory framework 25
2.2.3.2 Liberalization measures and the National
Mineral Policy 27
2.2.3.3 Mining and environmental concerns 27
2.2.3.4 Stakeholder participation 28
2.2.3.5 Environmental appraisals 28
2.2.3.6 Improvements proposed in the environmental
appraisal process 29
2.2.3.7 Environmental performance monitoring 31
2.2.4 Case study 32
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vi Contents
References 33
2.2.5 Small scale mining in India 34
2.2.5.1 Introduction 34
2.2.5.2 Artisanal and small scale mining 34
2.2.5.3 Minerals mined on small/medium scale 35
2.2.5.4 An important aspect of small/medium-scale production 36
2.2.5.5 Extent of small mines in India 36
2.2.5.6 Socioeconomic aspects 37
References 38
2.3 Europe 39
2.3.1 Introduction 39
2.3.2 Current status and sustainable strategy 41
2.3.3 Conclusions 43
References 43
Chapter 3 Issues in sustainable mining practices 45
3.1 Introduction 45
3.1.1 Large volume of waste generated 45
References 46
3.2 Mine closure planning: reclamation, closure and post-closure issues 47
3.2.1 Introduction 47
3.2.2 Homestake mining company’s McLaughlin Gold Mine 49
References 53
3.3 Economics of sustainable mining 54
3.3.1 Introduction 54
3.3.2 Path to sustainable development 54
3.3.2.1 Measuring scarcity rent 57
3.3.2.2 Triple bottom line (TBL) 59
3.3.3 Discussion 60
References 61
3.4 Managing environmental impacts 62
3.4.1 Introduction 62
3.4.2 Biological diversity 62
References 64
3.5 Land use: the geomorphic and land use impacts of mining 66
3.5.1 Introduction 66
3.5.2 Methodology for assessing total material movements through
mining and quarrying 66

3.5.2.1 Global material movements 67
3.5.2.2 Material movements during informal and unrecorded
mining 67
3.5.3 Multiple urban demand for land 69
3.5.4 Impacts on land use and on geomorphology 69
3.5.4.1 General 69
3.5.4.2 Case studies of coal, limestone, oil shale and
tin mining 71
3.5.4.3 Chemical time bombs 76
3.5.4.4 Impacts specific to artisanal and informal mining 76
3.5.4.5 Hydrogeological impacts 77
3.5.5 Discussion: mitigating the geomorphic impacts of mining 78
3.5.5.1 Recycling construction and demolition waste 78
3.5.5.2 Construction materials from industrial wastes 79
3.5.6 Conclusions 83
Copyright 2005 by Taylor & Francis Group
Contents vii
References 83
3.6 Energy use management 87
3.6.1 Introduction 87
3.6.2 Energy use management 87
References 89
Chapter 4 Sustainable mining systems and technologies 91
Introduction 91
References 92
4.1 Cleaner production 93
4.1.1 Introduction 93
4.1.2 Air emissions reduction 93
4.1.2.1 Comalco’s Bell Bay aluminum smelter – dry
scrubbing technology 93
4.1.2.2 Dry scrubbing 96
4.1.3 Dust management 97
4.1.3.1 Blue circle southern cement 97
4.1.4 Energy and material efficiency 98
4.1.4.1 Tiwest’s Kwinana pigment plant 98
4.1.4.2 Iluka Resources Limited – waste heat recovery
for power generation 100
4.1.4.3 BHP – coal seam methane recovery 101
4.1.4.4 Mount Isa Mines (MIM) (now X strata) – energy
efficiency 102
4.1.5 Integrated sustainable development 104
4.1.5.1 Alcoa World Alumina 104
4.1.5.2 Granny Smith Gold mine 107
4.1.5.3 Golden Grove 111
4.1.6 Wastewater management 113
4.1.6.1 OneSteel/Whylla Steelworks 113
4.1.7 Waste minimization 114
4.1.7.1 Alcoa – Portland Aluminum 114
4.1.8 Water efficiency 117
4.1.8.1 Western Mining Company (WMC) 117
References 119
4.2 Blasting impacts and their control 121
4.2.1 Introduction 121
4.2.2 Historical background 121

4.2.3 Encroachment of mining operations 122
4.2.4 Regulations 123
4.2.5 The environmental effects of blasting 124
4.2.5.1 Airblast 125
4.2.5.2 Ground vibrations 126
4.2.5.3 Flyrock 129
4.2.5.4 Fumes 129
4.2.5.5 Dust 129
4.2.5.6 Excavation 129
4.2.6 Effectively managing blasting liability 130
4.2.6.1 Blast monitoring 130
4.2.6.2 Keeping good blast records 130
4.2.6.3 Active programs to decrease ground vibrations
and airblast 130
4.2.6.4 Public relations 131
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viii Contents
4.2.6.5 Use of blasting specialists or consultants 132
4.2.6.6 Training and certification 133
4.2.6.7 Pre-blast surveys 133
4.2.7 Importance of professional associations in the regulation
of blasting 133
4.2.8 New technology 134
References 134
4.3 Minimizing surface water impacts 136
4.3.1 Introduction 136
4.3.2 Surface water management practice 136
References 140
4.4 Minimizing ground water impacts 141
4.4.1 Introduction 141
4.4.2 Ground water management practice 141
References 143
4.5 Subsidence considerations 144
4.5.1 Introduction 144
4.5.2 Nature of mine subsidence 144
4.5.3 Factors governing subsidence 146
4.5.4 Impact of geological discontinuities on mine subsidence and
their effects on surface water 149
4.5.4.1 Types of joints 150
4.5.4.2 Closure of cracks 151
4.5.5 Comprehensive planning 151
4.5.5.1 Coordination of surface/underground development 152
4.5.5.2 Land use and development control 152
4.5.6 Subsidence control methods 153
4.5.6.1 Alterations in mining techniques 153
4.5.6.2 Post-mining stabilization 156
4.5.6.3 Architectural and structural design 156
4.5.7 Subsidence from abandoned mines 158
References 159
4.5.8 Use of time domain reflectometry in monitoring subsidence 160
4.5.8.1 Introduction 160
4.5.8.2 Remote monitoring 161
4.5.8.3 Examples of mine subsidence monitoring 162
4.5.8.3.1 Interstate Highway I-70, Cambridge, Ohio 162
4.5.8.3.2 Interstate Highway I-70, Washington, PA 163

4.5.8.3.3 Interstate Highway I-77, Akron, OH 163
4.5.8.3.4 State Route 91, Saltville, VA 163
4.5.8.4 Summary 164
References 164
4.6 Role of environmental indicators in mining operations 166
4.6.1 Introduction 166
4.6.2 Use of indicators by the Loudoun County Environmental
Indicator Project (LEIP) 167
4.6.2.1 Roadside imagery 167
4.6.2.2 Remote sensing technologies for mapping changes in
forest cover 167
4.6.2.3 Environmental indicators for monitoring impacts of
mining operations 167
4.6.2.4 Aquatic life 168
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Contents ix
4.6.2.5 Vegetational stress 169
4.6.2.6 Remote sensing methodologies 169
References 170
4.7 Emerging mining technologies 172
4.7.1 Introduction 172
4.7.1.1 Surface mining 172
4.7.1.2 Underground mining 172
4.7.2 Coal bed methane (CBM) extraction 174
4.7.3 Hydro-evacuation Mining System 175
4.7.3.1 Process description 176
4.7.3.2 Benefits/advantages of hydro-evacuation mining systems 177
References 178
Chapter 5 Mineland reclamation 179
5.1 Introduction 179
5.2 Sustainable surface mine reclamation 180
5.3 Reclamation practices for non-coal mining 181
5.3.1 Reclamation zones 182
5.3.2 General techniques 182
5.3.2.1 Barriers and shields 182
5.3.2.2 Pit slopes 182
5.3.2.3 Pit boundaries 183
5.3.2.4 Water 183
5.3.2.5 Waste piles 183
5.3.2.6 Other considerations 183
5.3.3 Land-use 184
5.4 Reclamation of mining legacies 184
5.4.1 A case study of the Brooklyn Mine Reclamation Project 184
5.4.2 Atlantic Richfield’s southwest Montana sites 189
References 191
Chapter 6 Waste management 193
6.1 Introduction 193
6.2 Tailings management 194
6.2.1 Tailings dam design 195
6.2.1.1 Environmental considerations in tailings dam design 195
6.2.2 Risk management 196
6.2.2.1 Risk assessment processes 196

6.2.2.2 Quantitative analysis 197
6.2.2.3 Tailings dam application 198
6.2.2.4 Estimating risk probabilities 199
6.2.2.5 Example of probability of slope instability 201
6.2.2.6 Monitoring and safety updating 202
6.2.2.7 Acceptance criteria 203
6.2.2.8 Economic or pseudo-economic criteria 203
6.2.2.9 Regulatory criteria 203
6.2.2.10 Mixed criteria 204
6.2.2.11 Summary 204
6.2.3 Case studies of tailings dams 205
6.2.3.1 Ovacik gold mine, Turkey 205
6.2.3.2 Strathcona mine, Ontario, Canada 205
6.2.3.3 Emergency response at Omai tailings dam failure, Guyana 206
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x Contents
6.3 Waste rock and soil 207
6.3.1 Introduction 207
6.3.2 Planning to control acid mine drainage 207
6.3.3 Treatment of AMD from waste rock and soil 207
References 208
6.4 Maintenance wastes 209
6.4.1 Introduction 209
6.4.2 Management of petroleum wastes 209
6.4.2.1 Auditing of maintenance waste streams 210
6.4.2.2 Waste prevention, reduction and minimization 216
6.4.2.3 Reuse of maintenance wastes 218
6.4.2.4 Recycling, reprocessing and recovery 219
6.4.2.5 Treatment technologies 220
6.4.3 Other wastes 229
References 230
Chapter 7 Best mining practices for sustainable mining 231
Introduction 231
7.1 Best management practices (BMPs) in mining operations 232
7.1.1 Introduction 232
7.1.2 Air emission and other issues involving mining operations 232
7.1.3 General best management practices for mining operations 233
7.1.3.1 Site preparation and staging 233
7.1.3.2 Pre-excavation activities 234
7.1.3.3 Mining activities 235
7.1.3.4 Post-mining activities 235
References 236
7.2 Tailings pond design 237
7.2.1 Introduction 237
7.2.2 MSHA’s impoundment plan review process 237
7.2.3 Plan review technical issues 238
7.2.3.1 Design storms 238
7.2.3.2 Flood routing 239
7.2.3.3 Hydraulic design of spillways and decants 239
7.2.3.4 Site exploration 239
7.2.3.5 Material testing 240
7.2.3.6 Static slope stability 240
7.2.3.7 Seismic slope stability 240

7.2.3.8 Upstream construction – excess pore water pressure 242
7.2.3.9 Seepage analyses 242
7.2.3.10 Internal drains and filters 242
7.2.3.11 Cutoff trenches 243
7.2.3.12 Compaction of fill 243
7.2.3.13 Structural design of decant pipes 244
7.2.3.14 Slurry cells 244
7.2.3.15 Construction specifications 245
7.2.3.16 Instrumentation and monitoring 246
7.2.3.17 Mine workings near an impoundment 246
7.2.3.18 Note on mine map accuracy 247
7.2.3.19 Lessons learned from slurry breakthroughs 248
7.2.3.20 Comments on breakthrough evaluations 249
7.2.3.21 Comments on some basin remedial design measures 250
7.2.3.22 Emergency action planning 251
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Contents xi
7.2.4 Conclusions 252
References 252
Chapter 8 Case histories of sustainable mining 253
Introduction 253
8.1 Americas 254
8.1.1 Introduction 254
8.1.2 A case study demonstrating sustainable management of natural
aggregate resources 254
8.1.2.1 History of quarrying in the Denver, Colorado, area 256
8.1.2.2 Sustainable management of aggregate resources 258
8.1.2.3 Specification Aggregate Quarry Expansion 259
8.1.2.4 Lessons learned 264
8.1.3 Camp Caiman gold project 265
8.1.4 Innovative reclamation practices in the Arid Southwestern
United States 268
References 270
8.2 Asia 272
8.2.1 Introduction 272
8.2.2 Joda East iron ore mine, Keonjhar, Orissa, India 272
8.2.3 Velguem/Surla iron ore mine, Goa, India 273
8.2.4 Gevra coal mine, India 273
8.2.5 West Bokaro mining complex, India 275
8.2.6 Jharia coalfield, India 275
Reference 278
8.3 Africa 279
8.3.1 Introduction 279
8.3.2 HIV/AIDS 279
8.3.2.1 Sub-Saharan Africa 279
8.3.3 HIV and the mining industry 281
8.3.3.1 HIV care 282
8.3.4 Mine closure 284
8.3.5 Tanzania case study 284
8.3.5.1 Value of mineral exports 285
8.3.5.2 Mine closure in the region 286
8.3.5.3 HIV/AIDS in the region 288
8.3.6 Ghana case study 288
8.3.6.1 HIV/AIDS in the region 290

8.3.7 Conclusion 290
8.3.7.1 HIV/AIDS 290
8.3.7.2 Mine closure and prevention programs 291
8.3.7.3 Mine closure and HIV care and treatment programs 291
8.3.7.4 Mine closure 292
8.3.7.5 Mine closure preparation 292
References 293
Copyright 2005 by Taylor & Francis Group