The Fundamentals of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage & GARD Guide Workshop
11-13 March 2009, Brisbane QLD
Description
Benefits of Attending
Audience
Program
Presenters
GARD Guide Workshop
Registration & Information
Description Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) is, and has been, a very significant issue, and therefore represents both a long-term risk and cost, for many sectors of the global mining industry. Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, sometimes referred to as ‘acid mine drainage’ (AMD) or ‘acid rock drainage’ (ARD), frequently occurs in the mining of base metals, coal, and uranium, and may also become a significant issue for the quarrying industry and the land development industry, where acid sulphate soils are exposed to oxygen and water. AMD can also describe the occurrence of near-neutral but metalliferous drainage (see Managing Acid and Metalliferous Drainage Handbook, produced by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, February 2007). Whilst the on-site impacts may be significant, the downstream impacts on the environment and water quality may impact on human health and thus increase public and regulatory focus and concern, and ultimately the ‘social licence to operate’ may be at risk.
The identification of potential AMD issues at the exploration and feasibility phases is critical, as these mine planning phases are often linked with community consultation, environmental impact assessment and regulatory approvals. Over the past 2 decades in Australia, knowledge of the extent and potential impact of AMD has increased, and this knowledge has been shared at ACMER workshops across Australia since 1992. There has also been a significant effort in the characterisation and testing of materials for AMD, and in developing innovative management strategies. Thus there is a vast array of information available to site managers to manage, minimise or eliminate AMD, and thereby reduce the costs to their operations and the business. However, it is apparent that some operations encounter AMD problems possibly through lack of understanding of the fundamentals of AMD and its underlying causes, or inappropriate management, or inadequate skills of site and planning personnel.
Benefits of Attending This short course provides an opportunity for mine site personnel and regulators working on AMD/ARD issues produced as a result of mining and also from use and development of acid sulfate soils, to
(1) gain an understanding of the fundamentals of AMD/ARD that underpin management
(2) consider the business case for improved AMD/ARD practices,
(3) compare and share innovative approaches relating to material characterisation, planning and design to prevent or minimise the impacts of acid drainage,
(4) better manage and treat acid drainage,
(5) examine options for closure and relinquishment of sites impacted by acid drainage,
(6) identify knowledge gaps and the need for alternative approaches for acid drainage management and control, and
(7) learn from case studies highlighting both problems and successes in handling acid drainage.
Short Course Audience The short course will be of benefit to new industry and EPA staff, mine planners and geologists working in the extractive industries, environmental managers and officers, council engineers, consultants, regulators, researchers and students.
Workshop Program Wednesday 11th March
General Overview of AMD
What is AMD and why does it occur?
AMD Impacts and implications for mine operators
Legacy sites and social licence to operate
AMD management – overall process
Industry best practice – sources of information
Future directionsUnderstanding the Causes of AMD
pH and acidity; metal solubility as a function of pH
Geochemistry, Reactivity and Weathering
Chemistry – Oxidation of sulfides
Energetics of sulfide oxidation
Surface and Groundwater in AMDThe Impacts of AMD
ANZECC and Qld Water Quality Guidelines
Baseline heavy metal concentrations
Learning from the Past - Mt Morgan Post Closure
Acid Sulfate Soils
AMD and its secondary products
Planning, Prediction and Prevention of AMD
Risk Assessment and Planning
Characterisation of Materials
Testing and Sampling for AMDThursday 12th March 2009
AMD – Management
Industry Management Options
AMD Issues in Waste Rock Dumps, Tailings and Voids
Avoiding the Legacies - Designing Covers for Waste Rock Dumps and Tailings
Working open cuts and final voids
Short and long term effect on revegetation
Underground Mines
Case Studies on AMD Management for Site ConditionsAMD – Monitoring and Treatment
Leading Practice Monitoring
Practical Monitoring of Surface and Ground Waters
Active and Passive Treatment
The Role of Regulators
Case StudiesAMD – Future
Innovative Research
GARD Guide and INAP
Short Course Presenters Emer Prof Clive Bell - formerly ACMER Director
Prof Dee Bradshaw - JKMRC, The University of Queensland
Dr Stephen Dobos - Dobos and Associates Pty Ltd
Mr Marshall Lee - Golder Associates Pty Ltd
Dr Alan Robertson - RGS Environmental Pty Ltd
Mr Peter Scott - HLA ENSR
Dr Jeff Taylor - Earth Systems Pty Ltd
GARD Guide Workshop (half-day) In order to reduce the incidence of AMD/ARD, the International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP), a consortium of the major global mining companies focussed on AMD/ARD, sponsors research on ARD, and actively supports international forums, such as the International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage (ICARD), a conference that is held every 3-4 years. INAP has also commissioned the production of a Global Guide on Acid Rock Drainage (GARD), and this is expected to be released in mid 2009.
In preparation for the GARD guide release, INAP in association with ACMER (The Australasian Representative of the INAP Global Alliance) will offer a half-day GARD Guide workshop following the ‘Short Course on the Fundamentals of Acid Metalliferous Drainage’ on Friday 13 March 2009. This GARD Guide workshop invites industry and regulatory specialists in AMD/ARD and mine water management to discuss aspects of the Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide. This workshop is designed to share information regarding the development of the GARD Guide and to consult with role-players in order to obtain further regional input on specified Chapters of the Guide. The feedback received from the participants will be used to improve the Guide.
Registration and Program Information and Registration Brochure
Program - coming soon
