ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE UNDERGROUND WASTE STORAGE PLANT AT NORZINK AS, NORWAY

摘要

Waste products called jarosite residue, from the zinc production at Norzink, Odda, have previously been pumped directly into the sea. Besides activities from other industrial companies, this has created pollution problems in the fjord, and alternative methods for disposal of the residue have been developed. The residue is now stored in rock caverns located 2 km north of the zinc production plant. The first caverns were constructed with a total volume of approx. 70,000 m3, corresponding to one year's waste production. Caverns no. 7 and 9 to 12 are constructed with a volume of approximately 140,000 m3 to double the storage capacity. Norzink AS is planning to double the zinc production. In this respect, Norzink has carried out an extensive investigation programme to study the environmental impacts due to the increased production. Among these studies are safety studies and assessments of the pollution risk from the rock caverns to the fjord.