Management of mining, quarrying, and ore-processing waste in

1,13

MB

the European Union

88

stron

5506

ID

Directorate-General for the Environment, European Commission

2002

rok

Contents

Summary 4

Contents 2

List of annexes 4

List of figures 5

List of tables 6

INTRODUCTION 7

1. METHODOLOGY . 10

1.1. Assessment of quantities of mining waste generated 11

1.1.1. Inventory of mining sites 11

1.1.2. Description and analysis of mining systems. 11

1.1.3. Typology and quantities of waste generated by the different mining steps 12

1.2. Description and analysis of waste-management methods . 13

1.3. Identification and analysis of potential environmental impacts associated with mining waste

management 13

1.3.1. Identification of potential pollution generated by mining waste 13

1.3.2. Needed information for a simplified assessment of mining-related risks. 14

1.4. Mining-waste management practices and identification of the need of improvement . 14

1.4.1 Design of tailings and waste rock facilities . 14

1.4.2 Examples of accidents connected with the disposal of mining waste and redevelopment. 14

1.5. Inventory and analysis of legislations 14

2. MAIN RESULTS 16

2.1. Assessment of quantities of mining waste generated 16

2.1.1. Inventory of European mining sites 16

2.1.2. Description and analysis of mining systems. 19

2.1.3. Typology of waste generated by the different mining steps. 25

2.1.4. Quantities of waste generated by the different mining steps 27

2.2. Description of mining-waste management methods 41

2.2.1. Disposal of mining waste and tailings 41

2.2.2. Environmental issues 42

2.3. Identification and analysis of potential environmental impacts of mining waste 43

2.3.1. Identification of potential pollution generated by mining waste 44

2.3.2. Assessment of mining related risk : potential sources of pollution 44

2.3.3. Assessment of mining related risks; transfer pathways 46

2.4. Identification of improved mining waste management by the industry 50

2.4.1. Design of tailings and waste-rock facilities 50

2.4.2. Tailings dam stability 50

2.4.3. Waste characterization 51

2.4.4. Water management . 51

2.4.5. Case studies. 55

2.5. Inventory and analysis of legislations 62

2.5.1. Mining waste. 62

2.5.2. Framework of European legislation on industries, waste and water 64

2.5.3. Regulation on the closed mining sites 69

2.5.4. Comparison of legislation related to mining waste in the member countries of the European

Union 69

3.CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS. 71

3.1. mining waste INVENTORY AND RISKS EVALUATION. 71

3.1.1. Risks linked to mining waste 71

3.1.2. The different types of mine. 72

3.1.3.Research and development 73

3.1.4. Limits of the method. 73

3.2. Evaluation of the legislation 74

3.3. Main outcomes. 75

REFERENCES . 76