INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ADDRESSING HERITAGE POTENTIAL AND REMEDIATION OF MINE DRAINAGE IMPACTS ON THE RIVER AVOCA (IRELAND) AND AT AMLWCH (WALES)

摘要

The authors consider approaches to environmental remediation of the abandoned copper mines at Avoca in Ireland and at Amlwch in Wales, UK in terms of balancing the interests of various stakeholder groups. Water and water quality are essentially heritage concerns. The legacy of mining at Avoca creates the most significant river pollution in Ireland. The problems of Avoca have been considered in their various aspects at different times, generating copious data from various fields of interest. This 'heritage' is currently being explored by scientists from different disciplines through The Celtic Copper Heritage (CCH) initiative which has obtained funding under the EU INTERREG 111A Programme. Heritage and remediation potential is also afforded by combining international understanding with approaches to a similar ore body in Wales which has been worked for the same minerals over history. The similarity of the two places extends to the fact of their both being worked by the same company, owners, miners and mining engineers. The mine sites at Amlwch are included in the International Commission on Monuments and Sites' Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Importance in Wales. The surviving mining heritage has close parallels with that of Avoca. Many studies have been made of both places and their mining impacts. Recently, in Avoca, a pilot water treatment operation was commissioned by the CCH project to quantify process material and costs. A conclusive study for the remediation of the mine water which will include recommendations for the mine sites is soon to be commissioned by the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR). Local heritage issues will feature in this. Actions to treat the mine water discharges will needs to consider a number of variables, including the characteristics and disposal of the residual products of the proposed treatment process.