Skip to main content
Conference Proceedings

Life-of-Mine Conference 2012

Conference Proceedings

Life-of-Mine Conference 2012

PDF Add to cart

Sustainable Waste Rock Remediation and Revegetation - A Real-World Longitudinal Study Comparing ViroMine Technology to Standard Applications and Doing Nothing

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a waste rock remediation program conducted at a gold mine in New South Wales (NSW) over a six-year period. The treatment of waste rock dumps included the longitudinal results of one-off applications using: ViroMine Technology, including the application of a chemical reagent called Terra B, which is a benign, clay-like substance derived from processed bauxite and other sources lime and biosolids (added for nutrient value) clay capping and topsoil compared treatment outcomes from these three approaches to a control._x000D_
Parameters measured in the program included leachate pH, total actual acidity (TAA) and chromium reducible sulfur (CRS), Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and tree height and vegetative cover density with data collected at regular intervals over a six-year monitoring period. Findings over the life of the study indicated, for example, that leachate pH in the control area was 4.5 in year 1 falling to 4.0 by year 6; pH in the lime and capping treated waste rock was initially raised to about 5.5 after treatment but fell to 5.0 within 24 months and remained a low 4.7 by year 6; pH in the Terra B waste rock was 6.8 in year 1 immediately after treatment, and actually increased to 7.3 by year 6 with no further treatment. This finding is of relevance because it effectively profiles the acidity curves of waste rock control, lime, and capping applications, and shows that they decline over time, despite an initial pH shock' to the solids as measured by TAA and CRS in the case of lime. Similar treatment curves were observed for heavy metal leachates. Tree height and vegetative cover density indicated that with increasing acidity in the waste rock dump, the lime and capping options did not allow healthy revegetation, but in the Terra B treated areas tree growth and density were comparable to background, undisturbed forest levels.is needed with respect to tailings management, based on a novel integrated research framework.CITATION:Fergusson, L, Blair, D and Barros, G, 2012. Sustainable waste rock remediation and revegetation - A real-world longitudinal study comparing ViroMine technology to standard applications and doing nothing, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2012 , pp 249-258 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).
Return to parent product
  • Sustainable Waste Rock Remediation and Revegetation - A Real-World Longitudinal Study Comparing ViroMine Technology to Standard Applications and Doing Nothing
    PDF
    This product is exclusive to Digital library subscription
  • Sustainable Waste Rock Remediation and Revegetation - A Real-World Longitudinal Study Comparing ViroMine Technology to Standard Applications and Doing Nothing
    PDF
    Normal price $22.00
    Member price from $0.00
    Add to cart

    Fees above are GST inclusive

PD Hours
Approved activity
  • Published: 2012
  • PDF Size: 1.447 Mb.
  • Unique ID: P201206013

Our site uses cookies

We use these to improve your browser experience. By continuing to use the website you agree to the use of cookies.