Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Saskatchewan
$66,065.00
Use of Advanced Customizable Leach Columns as a tool to characterize the physiochemical processes occurring in mine waste rock and tailings
FY 2022-23
Summary
Mining generates large amounts of waste (e.g. waste rock and tailings), some of which contains sulfide minerals that oxidize and produce acid rock drainage (ARD) when exposed to oxygen. Mine waste is commonly stored on-site in storage facilities which can account for > 80% of all ARD produced. Several methods exist to address ARD potential, but these tests are rarely linked to specific environmental conditions or repository designs. Advanced Customizable Leach Columns (ACLCs) can be used as a way to provide laboratory scale tests that replicate site specific conditions (e.g., temperature, oxygen availability, water content) can potentially offer a better prediction of ARD potential and inform design considerations for storage facilities. The goal of this research program is to increase our fundamental understanding of using lab-scale experiments to characterize and predict ARD production from mine waste by quantifying the role of different variables that control ARD production. Research outcomes are expected to immediately inform improved waste storage solutions on site by both NexGen and Imperial. The improvements, modifications, and discoveries will also be implemented in the new generation of ACLCs developed by Okane to offer to clients worldwide.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
576745-2022
Name nom
Smith, Laura LA
Department département
Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering
Organization id
16
Institution établissement
University of Saskatchewan
Province en
Saskatchewan
Province fr
Saskatchewan
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2022
Competition year année de concours
2022
Award amount
66065
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
1206
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Engineering
Area of application fr
Génie
Research subject code
1504
Research subject group en
Environmental engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie de l'environnement
Research subject en
Solid waste management (including radioactivity)
Research subject fr
Gestion des déchets dangereux (y compris radioactivité)
Installment
inst:1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Use of Advanced Customizable Leach Columns as a tool to characterize the physiochemical processes occurring in mine waste rock and tailings
Application summary
Mining generates large amounts of waste (e.g. waste rock and tailings), some of which contains sulfide minerals that oxidize and produce acid rock drainage (ARD) when exposed to oxygen. Mine waste is commonly stored on-site in storage facilities which can account for > 80% of all ARD produced. Several methods exist to address ARD potential, but these tests are rarely linked to specific environmental conditions or repository designs. Advanced Customizable Leach Columns (ACLCs) can be used as a way to provide laboratory scale tests that replicate site specific conditions (e.g., temperature, oxygen availability, water content) can potentially offer a better prediction of ARD potential and inform design considerations for storage facilities. The goal of this research program is to increase our fundamental understanding of using lab-scale experiments to characterize and predict ARD production from mine waste by quantifying the role of different variables that control ARD production. Research outcomes are expected to immediately inform improved waste storage solutions on site by both NexGen and Imperial. The improvements, modifications, and discoveries will also be implemented in the new generation of ACLCs developed by Okane to offer to clients worldwide.
