Case Studies of Submarine Tailings Disposal. Volume 1. North American Examples

摘要

The report presents descriptions of the ore body and the milling process, thewastes produced, the engineered tailings outfalls and data demonstrating the levels of environmental impact. Essentially, STD can deposit tailings to the seabed of a fjord in a way that does not contaminate either the overlying water column or the seabed, and does allow local commercial fisheries (salmon and crabs) to continue. Where active tailings deposition and localized resuspension smothers benthos benthos and causes turbidity there is no indication of impact on primary biological production, and natural recolonization restores a productive ecosystem within one to two years.