Orphaned Mine Tailings in Nopiming Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada

摘要

The mineralogical and bacterial interactions in mine tailings, which produce heavy metal contamination of ground water, continue for decades after deposition. In Nopiming Provincial Park, Manitoba, there are three orphaned tailings from gold mines in the Rice Lake Archean Greenstone belt. The Central Manitoba tailings are still acid producing after 63 years, producing a barren, highly contaminated area. The tailings at Gunner mine are also barren, but have ceased to be acid producing. In contrast, the tailings from the Ogama-Rockland mine have been completely overgrown by bush after only 50 years. This study of the mineralogical and microbial activities in these tailings, which are in close proximity but with such contrasting degrees of preservation, will help in the prediction of the future of mine tailings being deposited at present.