Effect of climate change on the performance of a monolayer cover combined with an elevated water table to prevent acid mine drainage

Elodie Lieber, Isabelle Demers, Thomas Pabst, Émilie Bresson

In the proceedings of: GeoEdmonton 2018: 71st Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 13th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Mining, Energy Development and Groundwater I

ABSTRACT: The chemical reaction of sulfides contained in mine tailings with water and oxygen can generate acid mine drainage (AMD). Reclamation methods must be considered, such as monolayer cover combined with elevated water table (EWT). This method consists in maintaining the tailings close to saturation, which limits the flow of oxygen and AMD generation. The performance of the technique is strongly related to precipitations that can influence the water table position within the tailings. In the context of climate change, the evolution of the future precipitation regime must be considered to ensure the efficiency of the reclamation over the long term. A monolayer cover combined with a EWT is considered to reclaim the Doyon-Westwood (Québec) mine site tailing ponds. Experimental cells installed on the site since 2015 were simulated numerically to evaluate the performance of the method. Average annual weather conditions up to year 2100 and extreme drought events were then incorporated into the model.

RÉSUMÉ: La réaction chimique des sulfures contenus dans les rejets miniers minier acide (DMA). Une méthode de restauration comme la technique du recouvrement monocouche avec nappe phréatique surélevée (NPS), doit alors être envisagée. Cette méthode, permettant de maintenir les résidus saturés, et précipitations qui vont influencer le niveau de la NPS. Dans un contexte de changements climatiques, il est important terme. Cette méthode de restauration sera mise en place au site minier Doyon-performance de la méthode, une modélisation numérique de cellules expérimentales, présentes sur le site depuis 2015, est réalisée. Les conditions climatiques annuellsont intégrés au modèle.

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Cite this article:
Elodie Lieber; Isabelle Demers; Thomas Pabst; Émilie Bresson (2018) Effect of climate change on the performance of a monolayer cover combined with an elevated water table to prevent acid mine drainage in GEO2018. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{geo2018Paper212,author = Elodie Lieber; Isabelle Demers; Thomas Pabst; Émilie Bresson,title = Effect of climate change on the performance of a monolayer cover combined with an elevated water table to prevent acid mine drainage,year = 2018}