Workshops are considered the best route for efficient transfer of technologies and workshops. MEND has hosted three ICARDs (International Conference on ARD), and co-sponsors the annual BC-MEND ML/ARD workshop, which features case studies and technical presentations on emerging and current issues. Proceedings are posted at http://bc-mlard.ca/.
The study How to Assess Possible Biological Effects of Subaqueous Disposal of Mine Tailings: Literature Review and Recommended Tools and Methodologies (MEND 2.19.1) provides guidance on tools and methodologies to be used for future field studies into the biology and ecology of submerged tailings.
The Study to Identify BATEA for the Management and Control of Effluent Quality from Mines (MEND 3.50.1, 2014) identified the best available technologies economically achievable (BATEA) to manage and control effluent from metal, diamond, and coal mines in Canada. Effluent management and treatment technologies employed at mine operations were described, and then screened against a set of criteria for consideration as BATEA.
With the large number of mines opening in Northern Canada, the effect of cold temperature on various technologies is of increasing importance. The report Cold Regions Cover System Design Technical Guidance Document (MEND 1.61.5c, 2012) outlines the current state-of-knowledge of soil cover system design in cold regions, best practises on how a cover system design should be conducted, and a summary of information that should be provided during the design process.
Historical contamination of soils and sediments in environments surrounding mining activity pose a potential environmental threat in a changing climate. Remediation efforts have been conducted, many involving liming to increase the pH of soils and sediments and oxidation of waterways to limit the mobility of metals. While these remediation efforts have had significant positive impacts on the environment the underlying metal contamination still remains and under a changing climate there is a potential risk for remobilization.
Many active and abandoned mining areas across Canada are vulnerable to weather extremes from a changing climate. Models suggest that the generation of dust may become more severe, leading to greater impacts on the surrounding environment. Potential effects of dust on air quality are a challenge for waste management at most modern mine sites. This project aims to develop tools to monitor and manage dust and improve our ability to mitigate the cumulative impacts of climate change on metal mines across Canada.
Since 2011, the Nickel Institute and other metal commodity associations have been collaborating very closely with several research institutes, including CanmetMINING, in order to develop an alternative methodology for assessing the chronic environmental classification for metals. The methodology currently established in the UN GHS (Global Harmonised System for classification) is based on degradability of organic chemicals and as such, is not applicable to metals and inorganic substances.
Lately laser 3D profiler has been identified as the best technology for measuring rock size distribution over a conveyor belt and they are now distributed by two European companies. CanmetMINING has extended their application for measuring the ore size distribution before primary crushing in order 1) to provide an accurate evaluation of the reduction ratio at the primary crushing stage and allow the development of a rock hardness sensor, 2) to quantify the quality of the blast before any crushing size reduction, and 3) to address the fine measurement issue associated
Grinding is an energy intensive process. More than 45% of the energy costs in a mine occur in the grinding circuit. Thus, if the grind size could be increased, this would represent significant savings in energy costs (less energy used), lower contaminants to environment (lower surface area results in lower contaminants leached) and CAPEX and APEX (increased concentrator capacity). Thus, with the benefits mentioned above, lower grade ore may be treated economically.