Integrating 3D geological modeling and kinetic modeling to alleviate acid mine drainage through upstream mine waste classification. (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Toubri, Youssef; Demers, Isabelle; Beier, Nicholas
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 313(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Geological logging -- Spatial models -- Mineral kinetics -- Unsaturated flow -- Geo-environmental domains; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Mine waste classification preceding mining constitutes a proactive solution to classify and segregate mine waste into geo-environmental domains based upon the magnitude of their environmental risks. However, upstream classification requires multi-disciplinary and integrated approaches. This study integrates geological modeling and kinetic modeling to inform upstream mine waste classification based on the pH generated from the main acid-generating and acid-neutralizing reactions once the mine solid waste is stored in oxidizing conditions. Geological models were used to depict the ante-mining spatial distribution of the main reactive minerals: pyrite, albite and calcite. Subsequently, the corresponding block models were created. The dimension of the elementary voxels for each block model was set at 40х40х40 m for this study. The kinetic modeling approach was performed using PHREEQC and VS2DRTI to consider unsaturated conditions. The kinetic modeling simulated a 1D column for each voxel. The column simulates the excavated state of the hosting rock involving kinetic reactions and unsaturated flow under highly oxidizing conditions. Subsequently, the resulting pH for different intervals of time was assigned to its respective voxel. The outcome consists of a spatio-temporal visualization of the pH defining ante-mining geo-environmental domains, thereby providing the opportunity for formulating proactive management measures regarding the hazardous geo-environmental domains. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Geological models, stochastic simulation and kinetic models were integrated. The integrated model enables a spatio-temporal classification of the host rock. The upstream classification of mine waste identifies hazardous domains beforehand. Upstream identification of hazardous domains assists proactive management measures.