Assessment of environmental hazards at abandoned mining sites: A case study in Sardinia,Italy

In the last two centuries, several Pb–Zn mines were active in the Rio Mannu basin near Narcao (SW Sardinia, Italy), but are now abandoned. These abandoned mines pose a serious risk to the population and required an assessment of the hazard sources and the contaminant pathways in the area. The characterization plan of the Rio Mannu basin was carried out according to Italian protocols. Specifically, samples of soil, stream sediment, fine-grained ore-processing waste (from washery and flotation processes), surface water and groundwater have been analyzed in order to assess the levels of contamination in each mine area and the risks in the plains surrounding the site. Several potential chemical contaminants were considered both in solid materials and water samples. The Rosas mine was recognized as the most contaminated area in the basin, due to the presence of a large tailing pond, some fine-grained waste piles and two mine adits with concentrations of the toxic elements As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn exceeding Italian regulatory standards. The dispersion of contaminants occurs downstream from the small stream draining the area. In case of heavy rain the runoff into the streamlet transports the contaminated material far into the plain. The results of this study show that the characterization plan is a relatively cheap tool for establishing mitigation actions, prior to the realization of a complete, and usually expensive, remediation project at abandoned mine sites. Urgent recommended actions in the Rio Mannu basin include the treatment of the adit water prior to its discharge into the Rio Barisonis; the construction of drainage barriers on waste piles to reduce runoff and solid transport into the Rio Barisonis; the consolidation of the earthen dam containing the tailing pond of Rosas to avoid the deepening of erosion furrows that may threaten its stability.     

Sustainable mineral resources management: from regional mineral resources exploration to spatial contamination risk assessment of mining

Wide-spread environmental contamination associated with historic mining in Europe has triggered social responses to improve related environmental legislation, the environmental assessment and management methods for the mining industry. Mining has some unique features such as natural background contamination associated with mineral deposits, industrial activities and contamination in the three-dimensional subsurface space, problem of long-term remediation after mine closure, problem of secondary contaminated areas around mine sites, land use conflicts and abandoned mines. These problems require special tools to address the complexity of the environmental problems of mining-related contamination. The objective of this paper is to show how regional mineral resources mapping has developed into the spatial contamination risk assessment of mining and how geological knowledge can be transferred to environmental assessment of mines. The paper provides a state-of-the-art review of the spatial mine inventory, hazard, impact and risk assessment and ranking methods developed by national and international efforts in Europe. It is concluded that geological knowledge on mineral resources exploration is essential and should be used for the environmental contamination assessment of mines. Also, sufficient methodological experience, knowledge and documented results are available, but harmonisation of these methods is still required for the efficient spatial environmental assessment of mine contamination.     

Geological impact of some tailings dams in Sardinia,Italy

This article deals with the results of a survey carried out in Sardinia on both active and abandoned tailings dams, and we also discuss the geological impact of tailings dams of two mines: the Masua mine, a large syngenetic Pb-Zn deposit located in Cambrian limestones, and the Montevecchio mine, a Pb-Zn vein deposit near a Hercynian granite intrusion. The characteristics and metal content of material in the dams were analyzed. A high contamination of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu) was found both in the soils and water of Rio Montevecchio, a stream draining the tailings dams and other mining operations in the area.The study indicates that a control plan to minimize heavy metal pollution must be drawn up for all mines of the area, whether active or abandoned.     

Using stable isotopes (δD, δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O, δ<Superscript>34</Superscript>S and <Superscript>87</Superscript>Sr/<Superscript>86</Superscript>Sr) to identify sources of water in abandoned mines in the Fengfeng coal mining district,northern China

With depleted coal resources or deteriorating mining geological conditions, some coal mines have been abandoned in the Fengfeng mining district, China. Water that accumulates in an abandoned underground mine (goaf water) may be a hazard to neighboring mines and impact the groundwater environment. Groundwater samples at three abandoned mines (Yi, Er and Quantou mines) in the Fengfeng mining district and the underlying Ordovician limestone aquifer were collected to characterize their chemical and isotopic compositions and identify the sources of the mine water. The water was HCO₃·SO₄-Ca·Mg type in Er mine and the auxiliary shaft of Yi mine, and HCO₃·SO₄-Na type in the main shaft of Quantou mine. The isotopic compositions (δD and δ¹⁸O) of water in the three abandoned mines were close to that of Ordovician limestone groundwater. Faults in the abandoned mines were developmental, possibly facilitating inflows of groundwater from the underlying Ordovician limestone aquifers into the coal mines. Although the Sr²⁺ concentrations differed considerably, the ratios of Sr²⁺/Ca²⁺ and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and the ³⁴S content of SO₄^2? were similar for all three mine waters and Ordovician limestone groundwater, indicating that a close hydraulic connection may exist. Geochemical and isotopic indicators suggest that (1) the mine waters may originate mainly from the Ordovician limestone groundwater inflows, and (2) the upward hydraulic gradient in the limestone aquifer may prevent its contamination by the overlying abandoned mine water. The results of this study could be useful for water resources management in this area and other similar mining areas.     

废弃煤矿瓦斯资源估算与评价方法构建及应用

基于我国废弃煤矿瓦斯资源勘探开发现状,为合理评估我国废弃煤矿瓦斯资源,提出"资源估算+初步评价"的思路,建立废弃煤矿瓦斯资源估算和评价方法,该方法具有所需参数少和实用性强等优点;依据废弃煤矿瓦斯涌出特点及废弃时间,划分废弃煤矿类型,将其分为稳定型和非稳定型两大类,非稳定型进一步划分为初期、中期和后期3个阶段;根据废弃煤...     

徐州市矿山环境保护与治理工程研究

随着徐州市矿山环境保护与治理工程的实施,徐州市因采煤塌陷及开山采石造成的生态环境问题及景观破坏得到改善,废弃闲置的土地资源得到有效利用。通过分析徐州市矿山环境保护与治理的现状,以生态优先、以人为本及经济效益和示范效应为原则,部署废弃露采矿山治理、采煤塌陷地复垦及绿色矿山建设的重点工程,从资金筹措、技术支撑及政策保障等方面提出重点工程实施的保障措施。     

山西省废弃矿井煤层气地面钻井开发关键问题与对策

随着我国煤炭去产能政策的有力实施,一批资源枯竭及产能落后矿井将陆续关停废弃.废弃矿井仍赋存着大量的煤层气资源,其开发利用是实现煤炭产业清洁安全高效低碳发展、促进煤矿安全生产、优化能源结构、实现温室气体减排等方面的重要举措.基于山西省煤基重点科技攻关(煤层气产业链)项目相关研究,系统阐述了废弃矿井煤层气开发面临着资源量评...     

矿山地质环境影响评价及修复研究——以汶川某废弃露天矿山为例

矿山正常的生产经营活动势必形成一定的矿山地质环境问题。为全面贯彻生态文明思想,牢固树立“绿水青山就是金山银山”的理念,按照恢复生态、兼顾景观总体要求,因地制宜、多措并举,扎实开展废弃露天矿山地质环境修复。依据矿山地质环境保护与恢复的相关规范与要求,以汶川某废弃露天矿山为例,从矿山环境角度介绍了矿山地质环境的影响因素,开展矿山斜坡整体稳定性、采场边坡稳定性、弃渣堆稳定性及地形地貌景观破坏等地质环境影响评价,划分治理重点、次重点和一般3个基本的矿山地质环境保护与恢复防治区。结果表明: 矿山斜坡及弃渣堆现状基本稳定、采场边坡稳定性较差、地形地貌景观影响和破坏程度中等; 研究区矿山地质环境保护与恢复治理可划分为一般防治区和较严重防治区,其中一般防治区面积约554 m2(矿区无因采矿活动诱发的地质灾害,影响区内无居民居住,无威胁对象,矿区及周围地表水体未漏失,矿业活动对水土环境影响程度为影响程度小,未影响到矿区及周围生活供水)、较严重防治区面积186 m2(矿区与影响区地质灾害发生可能性小,地形地貌景观影响和破坏程度较严重)。针对评价结果提出的“坡面浮石清理+清除建筑垃圾、块石+植被重建”等修复建议,为同类型矿山绿色开采及地质环境保护措施提供了的重要技术参考依据。     

江苏省废弃矿山旅游资源开发利用探析

随着我国生态环境建设的加快和经济的转型,一些矿山逐渐被禁止开采,废弃矿山的残垣断壁不仅严重地影响了周边的自然风貌及生态环境,而且极易诱发滑坡、崩塌、泥石流、地面塌陷等地质灾害。目前,废弃矿山的综合修复及再利用已成为我国政府和公众关注的焦点。江苏省近20年积极探索废弃矿山旅游资源开发道路,建设了南京冶山矿山公园、牛首山佛顶宫、徐州潘安湖湿地公园等特色景点,形成废弃矿山治理工程的一大特色。本文通过江苏省废弃矿山旅游开发现状的综合分析,总结出以旅游价值识别要素、开发模式及景观营造方法为核心的废弃矿山旅游资源开发模式,同时给出了目前江苏省废弃矿山旅游产业存在的问题,并从景观营造、品牌建设、旅游管理方面提出解决问题的建议,旨在促进废弃矿山旅游产业的发展。     

江苏省废弃矿山旅游资源开发利用探析

随着我国生态环境建设的加快和经济的转型,一些矿山逐渐被禁止开采,废弃矿山的残垣断壁不仅严重地影响了周边的自然风貌及生态环境,而且极易诱发滑坡、崩塌、泥石流、地面塌陷等地质灾害。目前,废弃矿山的综合修复及再利用已成为我国政府和公众关注的焦点。江苏省近20年积极探索废弃矿山旅游资源开发道路,建设了南京冶山矿山公园、牛首山佛顶宫、徐州潘安湖湿地公园等特色景点,形成废弃矿山治理工程的一大特色。本文通过江苏省废弃矿山旅游开发现状的综合分析,总结出以旅游价值识别要素、开发模式及景观营造方法为核心的废弃矿山旅游资源开发模式,同时给出了目前江苏省废弃矿山旅游产业存在的问题,并从景观营造、品牌建设、旅游管理方面提出解决问题的建议,旨在促进废弃矿山旅游产业的发展。     

废弃矿井地下水淹没过程的水流与水位数值模拟

定量分析和研究废弃矿井淹没过程的水流特征对于预测和防止废弃矿井地下水淹没过程中诱发的次生灾害具有重要意义。建立了废弃矿井淹没的多种介质水流数学模型,得出了淹没补给水量随时间、矿井内淹没水位和补给水源含水层水位之间的相关关系,建立了淹没补给水量与相关影响因素之间的函数关系式,完成了矿井淹没过程中涌水量实时计算的FEFLOW模块设计和开发。进行了近水平煤层开采后废弃矿井充水淹没水位回弹过程的数值模拟计算,得到了不同充水介质在充水淹没过程中的水流和水位回弹特征。结果显示,FEFLOW二次开发模块运算效果良好,具有实用价值。     

北京露天废弃矿山地质环境治理模式探讨

北京地区许多废弃的无主老矿山未实施矿山环境治理和土地资源恢复工程,矿区内地质环境和生态条件恶劣。本文对废弃矿山及其治理工程特点进行了分析,运用灰色关联度分析法,阐述了矿山废弃地土地资源破坏效应的四个因素——地表景观效应、土体污染效应、次生灾害效应、生态环境之间的联系。以房山区石窝大理石矿山废弃地治理工程为例,提出了矿山废弃地治理以矿山环境、灾害治理为主,以园林景观绿化为辅相结合的二维治理模式,在地形整治、挡土墙、绿化等措施的基础上进行园林景观的设计,结合周边居民生活需求,利用矿区内的正负地形渣堆和采石坑,进行景观的再生和组合,将采石坑设计成下沉式休闲公园和健身广场,希望通过园林景观绿化工程的实施,改善矿区及周边地表景观和生态环境。     

Mineralogical characterization of mine waste

The application of mineralogical characterization to mine waste has the potential to improve risk assessment, guide appropriate mine planning for planned and active mines and optimize remediation design at closed or abandoned mines. Characterization of minerals, especially sulphide and carbonate phases, is particularly important for predicting the potential for acidic drainage and metal(loid) leaching. Another valuable outcome from mineralogical studies of mine waste is an understanding of the stability of reactive and metal(loid)-bearing minerals under various redox conditions. This paper reviews analytical methods that have been used to study mine waste mineralogy, including conventional methods such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and advanced methods such as synchrotron-based microanalysis and automated mineralogy. We recommend direct collaboration between researchers and mining companies to choose the optimal mineralogical techniques to solve complex problems, to co-publish the results, and to ensure that mineralogical knowledge is used to inform mine waste management at all stages of the mining life cycle. A case study of arsenic-bearing gold mine tailings from Nova Scotia is presented to demonstrate the application of mineralogical techniques to improve human health risk assessment and the long-term management of historical mine wastes.     

Environmental impact assessment of open pit mining in Iran

Mining is widely regarded as having adverse effects on environment of both magnitude and diversity. Some of these effects include erosion, formation of sinkhole, biodiversity loss and contamination of groundwater by chemical from the mining process in general and open-pit mining in particular. As such, a repeatable process to evaluate these effects primarily aims to diminish them. This paper applies Folchi method to evaluate the impact of open-pit mining in four Iranian mines that lacked previous geo-environmental assessment. Having key geologic resources, these mines are: Mouteh gold mine, Gol-e-Gohar and Chogart iron mines, and Sarcheshmeh copper mine. The environmental components can be defined as public health and safety, social relationships, air and water quality, flora and fauna hence, various impacting factors from the mining activities were estimated for each environmental component. For this purpose, each impacting factor was first given a magnitude, based solely on the range of possible scenarios. Thereafter, a matrix of weighted factors was derived to systematically quantify and normalize the effects of each impacting factor. The overall impact upon each individual environmental component was then calculated by summing the weighted rates. Here, Folchi method was applied to evaluate those environmental conditions. Based on the acquired results, the present paper finally concludes that amongst four case histories in Iran, Sarcheshmeh copper mine significantly affects the environment, with critical level of air pollution there.     

水文地球化学方法在煤矿水害研究中的某些应用——以平顶山、肥城矿区研究为例

矿井防治水的理论和工程实践表明，水文地球化学方法是矿井水害预防和治理工作中较为有效的一种方法，以平顶山矿区、肥城矿区为例，阐述了水文地球化学方法在水害研究中的某些应用，在平顶山矿区、环境同位素（氢、氧）和统计分析（聚类分析）技术的研究结果，进一步证实和校正了以往对该区水流系统的概念模型，即局部水流系统和过渡水流系统（或西南部和东北部子系统）的划分仅适于寒武系灰岩含水系统；砂岩含水层在矿区中、北部低山区接受大气降水补给，并有可能补给薄层灰岩含水层。在肥城矿区，地下水示踪试验结果表明，该区的GF9，F7－1、F7－3断层在试验段内具有较强的导水性，奥灰水可通过上述断层并以不同特征的通道和速度继续径流并补给各井下出水点，因而是该区煤矿安全的主要威胁。     

关闭/废弃矿井地下空间资源精准开发利用模式研究

随着煤炭绿色资源的不断开采,位于煤炭开发利用全周期末端的矿井关闭\废弃问题逐渐显现,随之而来的关闭/废弃矿井地下空间资源开发利用成为一个亟须解决的问题。在对我国废弃矿井现状统计分析的基础上,以能源开采造成的地下空间方位、形态差异化为依据,将关闭/废弃矿井地下空间资源分为采空区空间资源、巷道空间资源、硐室空间资源;探讨了空间资源作为能源存储场所的单一利用方式和多方向、多领域协同多元开发利用的关闭/废弃矿井地下空间资源利用方式;并由此提出了一种关闭/废弃矿井地下空间分类分级精准利用模式,构建调研分析、工程类比初判、模型构建详估和软件决策系统研发为主干流程的精准开发利用系统,通过精准利用模式与精准开发利用系统模型对单一和多元开发利用方式进一步分析,为关闭/废弃矿井空间资源开发利用的研究和实践提供参考。      

矿山水土污染与防治对策研究

矿山水土环境污染是采矿活动引发的主要环境地质问题之一。我国矿山数量众多,水土污染比较普遍,尤以金属矿山最为严重,矿山水土污染防治是今后开展国土空间生态保护修复的重要内容。基于全国矿山地质环境摸底调查成果资料,对矿业活动不同阶段的水土污染风险以及不同矿山的水土污染类型、特征和污染物迁移演化规律等进行了研究。分析指出:矿业活动过程包括勘探、建矿、开采、洗选、冶炼等多个阶段,而水土污染风险贯穿于矿业活动全过程,不同阶段的污染风险不同;矿产资源开发造成的水土污染物类型、特征因开采的矿产类型不同而不同,呈现出特征污染物与矿体母岩的高度相关性;矿山及其周边污染物的迁移作用受污染物自身的物理化学性质和外界环境条件的影响,在矿山长期持续开采条件下矿山水土污染物存在累积效应,而矿产资源集中开采区的污染物扩散表现出叠加效应。通过对某典型水土环境污染案例的分析研究,初步证实了上述推断。根据我国矿山水土环境污染多发性和复杂性的特点,建议今后开展矿山水土污染防治工作应区分不同类型矿山、不同地质环境条件、不同污染物特征、不同污染程度,采取分类施策、系统修复、标本兼治的对策,以实现矿山环境明显改善。     

Potential environmental impact at São Domingos mining district (Iberian Pyrite Belt,SW Iberian Peninsula): evidence from a chemical and mineralogical characterization

São Domingos like other long-term activity mines of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) dating back to pre-Roman times, is supposed to produce considerable amounts of mining wastes which cause significant downstream negative environment impact related to the acid mine drainage (AMD) production and high content of potentially toxic metals and metalloids in Chanza and Guadiana Rivers. The AMD production of a given mining waste depends on the ratio of its acid production to neutralizing phases. In this work, a chemical and mineralogical characterization of the sulphide-rich wastes from São Domingos has been developed to discriminate which residues are the main sources of AMD generation. A total of 47 representative samples of the different residue types were collected to estimate their possible contamination hazards through detailed studies of (1) for a mineralogical characterization: reflected-light optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and XRD analysis; and (2) for a chemical characterization: bulk-rock analysis. AMD prediction by the standard acid-base accounting method (ABA) was used in order to determine the acidification potential of each residue type. This study also offers an estimation of the contribution of toxic elements to the environment, being thus, a base for future remediation actions at São Domingos and other abandoned massive sulphide mines within the IPB.     

采煤对浅层地下水环境的影响及矿井水生态利用分析

黄河流域中上游矿区煤?水矛盾突出,煤炭开采对地下水环境造成一定的破坏。基于此,以鄂尔多斯盆地北部侏罗纪煤田榆神府矿区为研究区,在野外调查、数据分析、室内测试的基础上,分析研究区矿井水的量质特征,揭示煤炭高强度开采对地下水环境的影响,并开展矿井水生态利用研究。结果表明:研究区矿井富水系数在0.23~2.28,平均为0.91,评估2020年区内矿井排水量高达4.70亿m3,受采掘活动影响,浅埋煤层开采区地下水位下降趋势明显;区内矿井水出现不同程度的污染组分超标现象,主要超标指标为化学需氧量(COD)、Na+、SO₄ 2?、溶解性总固体(TDS),未处理的矿井水外排将会污染区内地下水环境;研究区浅层地下水超限的水质指标主要为NO₃-N,与矿井水超限水质指标差别较大,反映出浅层地下水水质受采矿活动影响较小;提出矿井水浅层回灌和矿井水生态灌溉2种模式开展研究区矿井水的生态利用,矿井水回灌对矿井水中的溶解性有机碳、色度具有较好的去除效果,回灌后出水满足Ⅲ类地下水限值;浅埋煤矿矿井水具有作为矿区生态修复灌溉用水的较好潜力,中深埋煤矿和深埋煤矿矿井水不适宜作为灌溉用水。研究结果为我国西部煤矿区水资源保护和生态修复提供重要依据。      

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils around chromite mining areas, Nuggihalli, Karnataka, India

Toxic heavy metals represent one of the possible environmental hazards from mine lands, which affect many countries having historic mining industries. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the degree of soil pollution occurring near chromite mines, and make a systematic evaluation of soil contamination based on geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and pollution index. This paper presents the pollution load of toxic heavy metals (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn and Zr) in 57 soil samples collected around three different active (Tagdur), abandoned (Jambur) chromite mining sites as well residential zone around Chikkondanahalli of the Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Karnataka, India. Soil samples were analyzed for heavy metals by using Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results indicated that elevated concentrations of Cr, Ni and Co in soils of the study area exceed the Soil Quality Guideline limits (SQGL). The high enrichment factor for Cr, Ni Co obtained in the soil samples show that there is a steady increase of toxic heavy metals risk in this area, which could be correlated with the past mining activity and post abandoned mining in the area. The data was also treated to study the geoaccumulation index, pollution index and spatial distribution of toxic elements. Emphasis need to be put on control measures of pollution and remediation techniques in the study area.