1. mi.ttu.ee ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OIL SHALE EXCAVATION IN ESTONIAN GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS Kalmer Sokman Estonian Oil Shale Mining Company, AS Eesti Põlevkivi, Department of Environment, Estonia Sergei Sabanov & Helena Lind Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Mining, Estonia

2. mi.ttu.ee Ida-Virumaa - Oil Shale land

3. mi.ttu.ee

4. Mined out area and wastes from oil shale enrichment

5. mi.ttu.ee Objectives The aim of the study is to assess the environmental impact different methods of oil shale excavation under geological conditions of Estonian deposit in comparison with other kinds of production

6. mi.ttu.ee Environmental problems accompanied with OIL SHALE extraction Ground surface subsidence Waste water Waste dump Emission to air Noise Surface fluctuation Groundwater level decreasing New landscape

7. mi.ttu.ee Methodology EIA Inventory data analysis Inventory data analysis Data collection and description of unit processes for surface and underground mining methods Data collection and description of unit processes for surface and underground mining methods Classification of impact categories and environmental interventions Classification of impact categories and environmental interventions Acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicity Acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicity Land use and geological disturbance Land use and geological disturbance Mine water pollution Mine water pollution

8. mi.ttu.ee Characterisation factors and reference value for acidification and terrestrial eutrophication Impact category Emission Unit Factors for Estonia SO 2 0.369 NO 2 0.194 Acidification NH 3 eq/kg 0.405 Impact category Emission Unit Factors for Estonia NO 2 1.483 Terrestrial eutrophication NH 3 eq/kg 4.418

9. mi.ttu.ee Results of acidification

10. mi.ttu.ee Results of terrestrial eutrophication

11. mi.ttu.ee Chronic terrestrial ecotoxicity

12. mi.ttu.ee Geological disturbance by ground surface subsidence

13. mi.ttu.ee Geological disturbance by ground surface subsidence

14. mi.ttu.ee Mine water pollution Annual water outlet 150 - 240 million m3 Annual water outlet 150 - 240 million m3 Mining waters don't have major impact on the composition of natural waters Mining waters don't have major impact on the composition of natural waters

15. mi.ttu.ee Mining water decontaminating Water decontaminating by flotation: Before ~ 40 mg/l After ~ 6 mg/l. Sulfate content 500-1000 mg/l Water quality friendly for fish growing

16. mi.ttu.ee Revitalization of excavated area On area excavated by surface mining formation of new scenery: forest (~ 200 ha/year), lakes, nest.

17. mi.ttu.ee Conclusions Mining causes smaller impacts on acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicity in comparison with production of auxiliary materials and transportation of oil shale to customers. Mining causes smaller impacts on acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicity in comparison with production of auxiliary materials and transportation of oil shale to customers. This method assesses environmental impact of excavation processes and finds better way of doing proposed project. The results of the study will be used for new mines planning in according with environmental performances under geological conditions of Estonian oil shale deposit. This method assesses environmental impact of excavation processes and finds better way of doing proposed project. The results of the study will be used for new mines planning in according with environmental performances under geological conditions of Estonian oil shale deposit.

18. mi.ttu.ee THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!