Design and Implementation of a Strategic Review of Ard Risk in Rio Tinto

Richards, David; Borden, Richard K.; Bennett, John W.; Blowes, David W.; Logsdon, Mark J.; Miller, Stuart D.; Slater, Steve; Smith, L. H.; Wilson, Gordon

doi:10.21000/jasmr06021657

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…This process can be strongly catalysed by bacterial activity. Sulfide oxidation produces sulfuric acid and an orange precipitate, ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH) 3 ), as summarised in Reaction(1) [9] . Once sulfides have been oxidised to sulfates, it is difficult to avoid oxidation of aqueous ferrous iron to ferric iron and subsequent iron hydroxide precipitation.…”

Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In describing the results of Rio Tinto's review of AMD risk [3] , an important point was made that compliance with pertinent government regulations and permit conditions does not necessarily guarantee AMD is being managed in the most practical, robust and cost-effective manner. However, the history of global mining industry and practical experience have shown that acid metalliferous drainage exerted a hidden and cumulative influence on environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Research on the pit lake water in an abandoned oil shale goaf

Liu

Ren-he

2011

2011 Second International Conference on Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering

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The Jintang oil shale mine, an opencast mine in Maoming, Guangdong Province, has been abandoned for about 20 years after half a century of ore exploration without a reclamation or remediation plan. This article aims at elucidating the revealed and potential environmental risks associated with the pit lake by quantifying pollution in the stagnated water in the goaf. The water in the abandoned goaf had an acidic pH equal to 3.40, whereas concentrations of dissovled iron reached 1.54 mg/L, and 0.00756 mg/L for total cadmium. All these data exceeded the standard scope respectively showed that the natural environment was contaminated by the abandoned oil shale mine. The reason for low pH and overdose of heavy metals were analyzed.These findings urge for an immediate remediation action of the afflicted area. Meanwhile, attentions should be taken to study the mechanism of trace element released from oil shale and the theory of element geochemical migration in order to prevent the accumulation of hazardous trace elements associated with the abolished oil shale mining pits, which was critical to managing the disposal of the abandoned oil shale mine.

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Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on the pit lake water in an abandoned oil shale goaf

Liu

Ren-he

2011

2011 Second International Conference on Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering

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“…Rio Tinto have also embarked on an extensive risk review process that involved internal and external geochemical and hydrogeological experts visiting every Rio Tinto mine and project site with a significant potential AMD risk. Sites are initially screened using the Rio Tinto Hazard Screening Protocol to identify those mine sites with a significant potential AMD risk (Richards et. al.…”

Section: Corporate Guidancementioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Waste Management

Dı́az¹,

Savage²,

Eggerth³

et al. 2020

Composting and Recycling

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Geochemical Risk Assessment Process for Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Iron Ore Mines

Green¹,

Borden²

2011

Integrated Waste Management - Volume I

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Integrated Waste Management-Volume I 366 (Linkov et. al. 2002) or water quality risk assessments (ANZECC 2000) are more prevalent than that for AMD and geochemical risk assessments. RTIO's four stage process to evaluate the AMD and geochemical risks for a mine site are unique and comprehensive. This process could be used as a guide to conduct AMD and geochemical risk assessments at other mining operations. 2. RTIOs mining operations in the pilbara region 2.1 Location Within the Pilbara of Western Australia, RTIO manages mines, ports and rail infrastructure for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd (Greater Tom Price, Greater Paraburdoo, Marandoo, Greater Brockman and Yandicoogina (Yandi)), Robe River Iron associates (West Angelas and Mesa J (Pannawonica) and Hamersley HMS Pty Ltd (Hope Downs 1). Hereafter RTIO refers to all these groups. Iron ore is mined in open cut truck and shovel operations using drilling and blasting. Blast holes are drilled by rotary and hammer drill rigs on 10 or 15 m benches designed to suit the geology or equipment of the individual mine. Iron ore from inland mine sites is transported via the 1,481 km railway network to port facilities located at Dampier and Cape Lambert (Fig. 1). 2.2 Mineral waste risks Mineral waste is composed of bedrock or unconsolidated sediments that are disturbed or exposed by mining. Mineral waste can also be composed of mineral residue generated by the processing of ore. The environmental exposure hazards of reactive mineral waste whose innate physical, chemical or biological properties could now or in the future pose harm, are a risk that RTIO endeavour to manage, using best practice management techniques. RTIO also invests significantly in research and development in this area. During the 2009 financial year RTIO directly invested $1.2 million (Aus) into mineral waste research for the Pilbara. This research has included modelling of final pit void water quality, bioremediation, cover research, waste dump designs and geochemical characterisation (Green 2009). Whilst not a risk at every mine site in the Pilbara, it is particularly important to evaluate the risk for Acid Rock Drainage (ARD), contaminants soluble at neutral pH, salinity and organic compounds (including spontaneous combustion hazards). Although not necessary a geochemical risk, fibrous minerals are also an important consideration for mining operations in the Pilbara. 2.3 Geological setting Banded Iron Formation (BIF) derived iron deposits occur where BIF has been locally enriched in situ. BIF-derived iron deposits may be hosted in the Marra Mamba Iron Formation, or in the Joffre and Dales Gorge members of the Brockman Iron Formation (Fig. 2). Of the BIF-derived iron deposits, only those associated with the Dales Gorge member of the Brockman Iron Formation are likely to occur in close proximity to the potentially carbonaceous and sulfide-bearing Mount McRae Shale (MCS). Less reactive black shale can also be found in thinner bands than the MCS in the Footwall zone, Dales Gorge, Jeerinah Formation, Wittenoom Formati...

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Design and Implementation of a Strategic Review of Ard Risk in Rio Tinto

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

Research on the pit lake water in an abandoned oil shale goaf

Research on the pit lake water in an abandoned oil shale goaf

Integrated Waste Management

Geochemical Risk Assessment Process for Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Iron Ore Mines

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