Development of a waste rock simulation model to mitigate environmental impacts of acid rock drainage

ABSTRACT: A dynamic simulation model (TMSim) was recently developed to evaluate tailings dewatering technologies on their ability to meet reclamation and closure goals. TMSim and other similar models do not incorporate ARD and related rock overburden waste management strategies specifically encountered during hard rock mining operations. This paper will detail the development of new sub-models in order to incorporate a waste-rock deposition and hydrogeology sub-model within the TMSim modeling framework. Doing so will allow for the analysis of the efficacy of various ARD prevention strategies such as traditional end dumping of waste-rock (base case), encapsulation of potentially acid generating (PAG) material with non-acid generating (NAG) material, and progressive capping of waste-rock with NAG. The model will utilize a top-down, dynamic system approach to incorporate all systems within a mine plan. It will be implemented by using the GoldSim software coupled with Muk3D to account for the development and configuration of waste-rock piles.