GROUND WATER CLEAN-UP : ASSESSING MINING IMPACTS AND REHABILITATION/MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES

摘要

Contaminated seepage from mine water or waste impoundments is a common problem which has to potential to degrade groundwater resources. Rehabilitation and/or management strategies for addressing the problem could encompass a wide range of approaches, from no action necessary, through monitored natural attenuation, pump and treat systems, in-situ bioremediation etc. Such active methods may be expensive, long term, and may result in unforeseen side effects to the environment, unless appropriately characterized.Knowledge of the exposure pathways and relationship between the seepage and the water resources, is therefore required in order to assess the impact of the seepage and characterize the possible risk posed to water users in the area. A conceptual model "check-list" combined with risk characterization of alternative management strategies can provide a useful basis for understanding the possible impacts and engineering limitations for various different remedial measures under consideration.The author has modified the impact assessment methodology used for the formulation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in order to formulate a Comparative Risk Analyses methodology to provide a qualitative assessment of the possible impacts, if any, from mine water or waste impoundments on the water resource and guide the selection of management options.