Sludge Deposits around the mining town of Banska Stiavnica-environmental and geotechnical problems

摘要

The historical town of Banska Stiavnica, for centuries the centre of mining and ore processing in Slovakia, is surrounded by several deposits of mineral wastes. With regard to the high heavy metal content, the environmental impact of flotation residuals, or tailings, sedimented in two sludge deposits, was studied. Results of several independent field studies are summarized in the paper in order to discuss migration processes in tailings and in the ground below the deposit, as well as their impact on both, the water quality and vegetation. Also a long-term monitoring of the deposit stability, in terms of geotechnics, was started so that one day a global risk assessment will be possible. In advance, an elementary remedial action was considered. However, very promising are results of laboratory tests, where tailings were used as a secondary row material for building elements. This would be the most effective way of problem solving.