Mine Waste Characterisation, Prediction and Treatment - 2019 entry

This module will provide students the opportunity to learn about the geochemical, mineralogical, geophysical and remote sensing techniques of mine waste characterisation, the methods used to predict their behaviour in the environment, the character of common mine waste types, and techniques of remediation. Students will be trained to use the geochemical modelling programme PHREEQC. This module is suitable for students studying courses in land and environmental management, geology, mining, engineering, geography and environmental science. It is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways. A basic understanding of chemistry (e.g. at GSCE level) is required, but no formal pre-requisites are needed.

The aim of the module is to provide an overview of the geochemical, mineralogical, geophysical and remote sensing techniques of mine waste characterisation and prediction, along with contemporary methodologies for their remediation. Topics covered will include (one sentence). The current state-of-the-art with regard to the characterisation of mine wastes and prediction of their effects using the popular geochemical code PHREEQC will be covered. The module will be underpinned by case studies from the Lecturers' own research and/or from industrial contacts.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Articulate the basic physical and chemical properties of, and key processes affecting, mine wastes;

2 Identify and evaluate the methods for assessing the risks associated with mine wastes;

3 Devise appropriate methodologies for the assessment, management and remediation of mine wastes;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4 Discuss appropriate management and remediation strategies for mine waste control;

5 Explain the processes involved in the PHREEQC geochemical modelling assessment of mine wastes;

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

6 Select and interpret data in order to critically evaluate a specific problem and then produce detailed (but not verbose) recommendations/reasoned arguments for appropriate solutes;

7 Construct a written report to a professional standard;

8 Construct a poster presentation to a professional standard.

The module content will include:

- A general introduction to mine wastes including their main types, environmental impacts, global extent and impacts;

- The geochemical, mineralogical, geophysical and remote sensing characterisation techniques for mine wastes;

- The geochemistry and environmental impacts of mine waste waters;

- Metal- and metalloid-bearing minerals in mine wastes: the types and processes of formation and dissolution, and use of minerals for mine waste treatment;

- The geomicrobiology of mine wastes;

- Mine tailings: types, impoundments, remediation/ management techniques; riverine, estuary and marine disposal;

- Sulfidic mine wastes: weathering reactions, secondary minerals, AMD generation, prediction and treatment;

- Radioactive mine wastes of uranium ores: ore mineralogy, weathering reactions and secondary minerals, environmental impacts, prediction and treatment;

- Mine wastes of oxides and hydroxides (iron, titanium, manganese, aluminium, titanium, tin): ore mineralogy, weathering reactinos and secondary minerals, environmental impacts, prediction and treatment;

- Mine wastes of energy mineral extraction (coal, oil sands, etc.): ore mineralogy, weathering reactinos and secondary minerals, environmental impacts, prediction and treatment.

Basic Reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

USGS website: Groundwater and surface water a single resource:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1139/htdocs/foreword.htm

Tellus South West Project:

http://www.tellusgb.ac.uk/home.html

G-BASE project:

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/gbase/gbaseSW.html

Plus, Journal articles from the University of Exeter Electronic Library.

Reading list for this module: