Surface Mining APES

Mining Process Phase One: Exploration

Exploration Potential Activities: Air & ground-based geochemical and geophysical surveys Prospecting and claim-staking Line cutting, stripping, drilling & trenching Road/trail building Helicopter transport Bulk sampling

Exploration Environmental Activities: Land alienation from protection options Camp garbage Trail/road and trenching erosion Access-related over-harvesting & fishing Habitat disruption Noise pollution Acid mine drainage

Mining Process Phase Two: Mining & Milling

Mining & Milling Potential Activities: Environmental impact assessment Mine design & construction Stripping/storing of overburden soil & vegetation Ore extraction, crushing/grinding of ore Chemical concentration of ore Mine & surface water treatment Storage of waste rock and tailings

Mining & Milling Environmental Impacts: Wildlife & Fisheries habitat loss Changes in local water balance Sedimentation Containment of toxins (cyanide) in ponds Potential containment pond failure Potential acid generation from waste rock/walls Heavy metal leaching from acid mine drainage Wind-borne dust

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) SMCRA grew out of a concern about the environmental effects of strip mining. Coal had been mined in the United States since the 1740s, but surface mining did not become widespread until the 1930s. At the end of that decade, states began to enact the first laws regulating the coal mining industry. SMCRA created two programs: one for regulating active coal mines and a second for reclaiming abandoned mine lands. SMCRA also created the Office of Surface Mining, an agency within the Department of the Interior, to promulgate regulations, to fund state regulatory and reclamation efforts, and to ensure consistency among state regulatory programs.

Phase Three: Smelting & Refining Potential Activities: Processing of mineral concentration by heat or electro-chemical processes

Smelting & Refining Environmental Impacts: Sulfur dioxide emissions contribute to acid rain Toxic chemicals (e.g. ammonia, sulfuric acid) used for processing Energy resources needed

Phase Four: Mine Closure Potential Activities: Re-contouring pit walls and waste dumps Covering reactive dumps Decommissioning/dismantling roads and buildings Re-seeding/planting disturbed areas Monitoring and treatment of contaminated water

Mine Closure Environmental Impacts: Seepage of toxins into the soil and water from acid mine drainage Wildlife and fisheries habitat loss Re-vegetation failure Wind-borne dust Slope failures

So, what is Acid Mine Drainage? Outflow of acidic water from (usually abandoned) mines Causes chemical reactions in the soil and/or groundwater Acidity caused by oxidation of copper, iron and sulfide

Objectives To simulate a real life mining situation To experience decision making real mine owners may face To realistically look at mining laws

Minerals (What I Pay YOU) 1 bean $1 1 walnut $2 1 green lentil $5 1 Jelly Belly Candy $13

Charges Purchase a mine site $5 + 10% of profit at end Purchase of reclamation bond $5 (returned at end) Purchase of dump truck $1 (cup) Purchase of probe $1 (skewer) Purchase of crane $3 (tweezers) Purchase of a pump $2 (pipette) Purchase of bulldozer $2 (fork) Purchase of earthmover $5 (spoon) Purchase of separator $10 (screen)

Charges Cost to dump trucks with waste $1 each Reclamation to government satisfaction (return of bond) Cost to remove dinosaur $20 Cost to remove trees $5 each Cost to remove animals $1 each + replacement ($1) = $2 total Death of animals $2 each + replacement ($2) = $4 Damage to water supply $5

Fines Not properly removing wildlife - $10 Not properly removing vegetation - $8 Not properly disposing of waste - $10 Burying Waste Onsite - $20 Illegal mining - $5 Mining during restricted times - $5

Procedure Each company should choose a name and a job function as noted below: field geologist (looks for the ore, bookkeeper) miner (digger) process engineer (prepares ore for sale) environmental engineer (cleans up).

Procedure Each day will last 90 seconds and work must come to a halt at the end of 45 seconds. During the working hours (we operate in daylight hours only) the company can explore, mine, process, dump waste, etc. During the overnight hours (45 seconds), the company will prepare for the next day, while the accountant brings records up to date and the environmental engineer cleans the site. We will play for about 15 days. You may be fined for breaking labor laws.

Procedure All removal of overburden, trees, houses, minerals, etc. must be done using tools provided --no fingers. Animals can be moved with fingers. If you move an animal, you may move it once. If you remove an animal, you have killed it. Repeat the charge for replacement.

Procedure Before you start, you should spend about 5 minutes sketching your site so that you remember what it looked like. The site must be restored when you are done.

Procedure At the end of the game, calculate your profits and losses. Return equipment as directed.

Procedure Answer post-lab questions. Use the internet and your book if needed.