Hard Rock Mine Reclamation: From Prediction to Management of Acid Mine Drainage

Hard rock mines have significant effects on the territories where they operate, through both infrastructure construction and resource use. Reclamation aims to return a mine site to a satisfactory state, meaning that it should not threaten human health or security, generate in the long term any contaminant that could significantly affect the surrounding environment, and be aesthetically acceptable to communities. This book focuses on the reclamation of waste storage areas, which constitute the main source of pollution during and after mine operations, and especially issues with acid mine drainage and neutral contaminated drainage. It provides fundamental information and describes practical methods to reclaim mine-waste facilities, compares the different methods and illustrates their application at sites through case studies, identifies new reclamation issues and proposes solutions to address them, and presents existing and new technologies to reclaim mine waste disposal areas from hard rock mines in different climatic conditions. Students in graduate programs focused on mines and the environment as well as professionals already working in departments related to mine site reclamation will find this book to be a valuable and essential resource.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Hard rock mines have profound impacts on the regions where they operate, encompassing both the construction of infrastructure and the utilization of resources. As a result of their extractive activities, these mines accumulate substantial amounts of waste at the surface, which can be both physically and chemically unstable. The primary objective of reclamation is to restore a mine site to a satisfactory condition, ensuring that it poses no threat to human health or security, does not produce any contaminants that could have significant adverse effects on the surrounding environment, and is aesthetically acceptable to the communities.

This book specifically concentrates on reclaiming waste storage areas, which are the primary sources of pollution during and after mine operations, particularly concerning issues such as acid mine drainage and neutral contaminated drainage.

Key Features:

Provides comprehensive knowledge and outlines practical approaches to reclaim mine-waste facilities.

Compares various reclamation methods and showcases their application through case studies.

Identifies emerging reclamation challenges and proposes solutions to address them.

Highlights existing and innovative technologies for reclaiming mine waste disposal areas across different climatic conditions.

Integrates reclamation into mine operations and evaluates the long-term performance of techniques through an interdisciplinary approach.

Given the relatively young and evolving nature of mine site reclamation, there is a significant demand for training for professionals and students working in this field. This book is written from an engineering perspective, with the authors identifying new reclamation issues and proposing well-tested and innovative solutions to address them. Students enrolled in graduate programs focused on mines and the environment will find this book particularly valuable as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the reclamation process and its applications.

Weight: 750g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367638818