Cover Systems... Are We There Yet?

Mike O'Kane

In the proceedings of: GeoRegina 2014: 67th Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Geoenvironmental Engineering

ABSTRACT: Cover systems are an accepted prevention/mitigation alternative for managing mine waste seepage affected by acid and metalliferous drainage. The mining industry has advanced theory, practice, construction, and performance monitoring of cover systems to achieve this level of acceptance. However, uncertainties and misunderstandings remain as to benefits -closure strategy, often leading to insufficient characterization and management of reactive waste prior to/during operations. The mining industry is also challenged at times to demonstrate benefits, or rather the magnitude of benefits, provided by cover systems to prevent/mitigate adverse impacts to receiving environments including the implications for water management (quantity and quality) and water collection/treatment systems. There are numerous benefits of cover systems in regards to meeting closure objectives; for example, meeting land use objective, wildlife habitat, etc. However, this paper focuses on demonstrating cover system benefits in regards to developing a better understanding of the relationship between contaminant loading from the waste storage facility and the control of net percolation rates offered by the cover system.

Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2014_268

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