Adverse effects of coal mine waste dumps on the environment and their management

Adibee, Nabiollah; Osanloo, M.; Rahmanpour, Mehdi

doi:10.1007/s12665-013-2243-0

Cited by 88 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Plants bind the rock particles through their extensive root systems and thus stabilize the ground's surface. This is particularly important in counteracting erosion of the slopes of the spoil heaps (Adibee et al, 2013). Plants also lower the bulk density of the spoil material, moderate its pH, capture airborne fine particles, provide organic matter, increase the pool of available nutrients and stimulate a number of biological processes, including those driven by micro-organisms (Arocena et al, 2009;Bradshaw, 1997;Elhottová et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Calamagrostis epigejos, Chamaenerion palustre and Tussilago farfara on nutrient availability and microbial activity in the surface layer of spoil heaps after hard coal mining

Stefanowicz

Kapusta

Błońska

et al. 2015

Ecological Engineering

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Calamagrostis epigejos, Chamaenerion palustre and Tussilago farfara on nutrient availability and microbial activity in the surface layer of spoil heaps after hard coal mining

Stefanowicz

Kapusta

Błońska

et al. 2015

Ecological Engineering

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“…Figure 6 shows the variable cut-off grade throughout the life-of-mine compared to mine's current fixed cut-off grade decisions. Long-term stockpiling is strategically planned and is only required during periods 5,7,11,13,18, and 19 instead of all periods in the base case schedule. The working life of the processor is also decreased by 2 periods.…”

Section: Simultaneous Stochastic Optimisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These simplifications can lead to deviations from production targets, such as, exceeding the permitting constraints at the waste dump destinations and misrepresenting the amount of each waste product produced due to its uncertain properties. Violating permitting constraints and mismanaging waste production can lead to detrimental effects on the environment [10,11], emphasising the importance of integrating waste management into the long-term production schedule.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous stochastic optimisation of an open-pit gold mining complex with waste management

Levinson

Dimitrakopoulos

2019

International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment

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Simultaneous stochastic optimisation manages risk and capitalises on the unique interactions that occur in a mining complex, where materials are transferred between mines, processors, stockpiles, and waste facilities to achieve a marketable product. Typically, when optimising the production schedule, the primary focus is to deliver valuable products to the market. However, this tends to ignore the environmental and economic impact of simplifying waste management requirements, including the storage and disposal of waste material. Stricter regulations and engineering requirements are transforming past mining practices to develop more sustainable operations. These transformations increase the financial cost of waste management and identify the requirement to integrate waste management into the production schedule. Additionally, misrepresenting the material uncertainty and variability associated with the amount of waste produced can impact, both, the stakeholders and the profitability of a mining complex. In this case study, a simultaneous stochastic optimisation approach is applied in a gold mining complex that integrates waste management into the longterm production schedule. The resulting schedule leads to a 6% increase in the net present value when compared to a conventional approach, while minimising the likelihood of deviating from production targets and ensuring permit constraints are satisfied.

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“…The particle size correlates to pore size distribution, which partially controls the flow, flow velocity, its spatial distribution, and its contact time with particle surfaces and, hence, the amount of salt released from the porous media [9,17,18]. For instance, heterogeneous particle size distributions, arising from the rock sources and dumping methods [19,20], may induce preferential flow paths partitioning the pore system into two or more separate porous systems, with different water flux densities and solute mass transport [16,[21][22][23]. In extreme cases, a proportion of the flow will also bypass the porous media in the form of surface runoff or subsurface pipeflow [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Weathering on Salt Release from Coal Mine Spoils

et al. 2019

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Coal mine spoils have the potential to create environmental impacts, such as salt load to surrounding environments, particularly when exposed to weathering processes. This study was conducted to understand the effect of physical and chemical weathering on the magnitude, rate, and dynamics of salt release from different coal mine spoils. Five spoil samples from three mines in Queensland were sieved to three different particle size fractions (<2 mm, 2–6 mm, and >6 mm). Two samples were dispersive spoils, and three samples were nondispersive spoils. The spoils were subjected to seven wet–dry cycles, where the samples were periodically leached with deionised water. The rate, magnitude, and dynamics of solutes released from spoils were spoil specific. One set of spoils did not show any evidence of weathering, but initially had higher accumulation of salts. In contrast, broad oxidative weathering occurred in another set of spoils; this led to acid generation and resulted in physical weathering, promoting adsorption–desorption and dissolution and, thus, a greater release of salts. This study indicated that the rate and magnitude of salt release decreased with increasing particle size. Nevertheless, when the spoil is dispersive, the degree of weathering manages salt release irrespective of initial particle size. This study revealed that the long-term salt release from spoils is not only governed by geochemistry, weathering degree, and particle size but also controlled by the water/rock ratio and hydrological conditions of spoils.

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Adverse effects of coal mine waste dumps on the environment and their management

Cited by 88 publications

References 25 publications

Effects of Calamagrostis epigejos, Chamaenerion palustre and Tussilago farfara on nutrient availability and microbial activity in the surface layer of spoil heaps after hard coal mining

Effects of Calamagrostis epigejos, Chamaenerion palustre and Tussilago farfara on nutrient availability and microbial activity in the surface layer of spoil heaps after hard coal mining

Simultaneous stochastic optimisation of an open-pit gold mining complex with waste management

The Effect of Weathering on Salt Release from Coal Mine Spoils

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