Disposal of Coal Preparation Wastes: Environmental Considerations

摘要

The mineral wastes from coal preparation and mine development constitute a major environmental problem. Over 3-billion tons of these materials have accumulated in the U.S., and the current annual rate of waste production of 100 million tons/yr is expected to double within a decade. The total number of active and abandoned coal waste dumps is estimated to be between 3000 and 5000. About one-half of these pose some type of health, environmental, or safety problem. Structural weaknesses in coal refuse banks have led to tragic landslides such as those at Buffalo Creek, WV and Aberfan, Wales. Coal refuse dumps are also one of the sources of highly mineralized, acidic drainage, which affects more than 10-thousand miles of streams and waterways, and the 300 or so burning waste banks are a major source of air pollution. In addition to these problems, there is growing concern about possible environmental effects from the trace elements in the coal waste materials. The various forms of environmental pollution from coal mineral wastes, the extent and seriousness of each, and some of the control methods which are being used to alleviate or lessen the environmental impact are described. (ERA citation 02:023951)