Abstract
Mass closure of copper-sulphide mining sites both in the Sverdlovsk Region and worldwide resulted in the emergence of environmental challenges. One of such challenges is generation and discharge of acid mine waters. Manmade and natural factors have their impact on chemical composition of mine waters due to activation of sulphides oxidation processes taking place in disturbed rock mass and mines. Concentrations of components in treated mine waters are much higher than MAC (dozens and hundreds of times for iron, copper and zinc). That results in pollution of hydrosphere which goes on for decades and spreads over large distances along rivers. Quite a few reasons cause environmental degradation of hydrosphere in old industrial districts. These are baseline amounts of metals in the hydrosphere, low rates of self-rehabilitation of dead pits, high amounts of acid waters, high amounts of contaminants in mine waters, imperfection of treatment systems. Given the demand of mine waters treatment over decades, improvement of existing treatment systems and implementation of new technologies are required.
Highlights
Extraction of mineral resources, primary minerals processing followed by mine abandonment has been going on for thousands of years worldwide
Mining started in the Urals in the XVIII century and developed at very fast rates [1]
Acid mine waters with high concentration of metals and low рН are generated as a result of natural weathering and anthropogenic activity
Summary
Extraction of mineral resources, primary minerals processing followed by mine abandonment has been going on for thousands of years worldwide. That results in deterioration and partial exhaust of land, water and forest resources, deterioration of environment and some other environmental challenges. Copper-sulphide mines in the Middle Urals (the Sverdlovsk Region) were developed over the decades by both open-cut and underground mining methods. Most of those fields have been exhausted the mines and mine sites are abandoned and flooded. During the copper-sulphide field mining the top-slicing techniques of the mined-out space were used, which resulted in formation of holes, rock caving and shear zones at large areas reaching up to dozens and hundreds of hectares. Acid mine waters with high concentration of metals and low рН are generated as a result of natural weathering and anthropogenic activity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
