Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

One of the most serious environmental issues related to the mining industry in Canada and elsewhere, is the pollution from mine waste disposal areas. When these wastes contain sulphide minerals, they can oxidize and generate contaminants in the water drainage, a phenomenon called acid mine drainage (AMD) when the leachate is acidic and contaminated neutral drainage (CND) in near-neutral conditions. The long term objective of the proposed research consists of developing efficient reclamation strategies that limit environmental impacts and risks using cover technologies and passive treatment systems. More specifically, the program will mainly focus on two themes: A) reclamation of mine waste disposal areas located in Nordic environments, and B) development of strategies to reclaim CND generating mine sites. To reach the program objectives, the candidate will use a combination of strategies. The first step will consist in a detailed characterization of the tested materials. Column tests will then be performed to simulate different reclamation scenarios at a smaller scale and in controlled conditions. In situ measurements will allow validating the realism of laboratory measurements. Finally, numerical modeling will be used to compare measurements (from the lab and the field) and predictions, and to propose new reclamation scenarios. The research program will provide new or improved techniques for the reclamation of CND generating mine wastes and mine waste disposal areas located in Nordic conditions. Presently, there is a need in the mining industry to find efficient solutions for these two cases since more mines are planned in Nordic conditions, especially in Canada, and more CND sites have to be reclaimed in a near future. The work will be performed through Highly Qualified Personnel training, who will become the much needed specialists that will help the industry produce metals while reducing their environmental impacts.