Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

TECHNICAL PROGRAM
3:05 PM
Framework for Stochastic Modeling of Dragline Energy Efficiency
M. Abdi Oskouei and K. Awuah-Offei; Missouri University of
Science & Technology, Rolla, MO
Draglines are the main energy consumers in strip mines. Given the growing cost
of energy and environmental concerns, it is important to properly understand
dragline energy efficiency. The goal of current research at Missouri University of
Science & Technology is to account for operator practice and operating conditions
in modeling dragline energy efficiency. This paper presents preliminary correlation
analysis and a framework for stochastic modeling. Thirteen operating parameters
(including cycle times, payload, swing angle, and height of dump pile),
operator working schedules, operating conditions, and drag, hoist, and swing energies
were monitored for a 78 yd3 dragline. After assessing the relation between
these parameters and the energy consumption by correlation analysis, a stochastic
modeling framework has been proposed for dragline energy efficiency. The
completed model will help the coal mines better predict energy consumption,
with uncertainty, for different operating conditions.
chair:
2:00 PM
Introductions
environmental:
Mine remediation
2:00 PM • Wednesday, February 27
K. Muenchow, US Forest Service, Golden, CO
2:05 PM
Evaluation of Materials and Technologies Used in Mine Shafts
Reclamation in Former Uranium Ore Mines in Eastern Germany –
Development of a Technical Guideline
H. Mischo and F. Schreiter; Dept. of Mining Engineering, Technical
University Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
The Ore Mountains in Germany have a history of more than 850 years of underground
mining activities.This has created a situation where thousands of old
mine shafts and addits are due for rehabilitation.While no rehabilitation was executed
in previous centuries, those abandoned mine sites which are dating back to
the uranium mining boom from 1945 to 1962 were rehabilitated immediatly after
mine closure according to then state-of-the art technology. Over the years it became
obvious that most of these sites are not long-term stable and thus it became
necessary to rehabilitate them a second time. TU BA Freiberg is carrying out a research
project on the optimisatiuon of this process. 70 mine site rehabilitation
projects, the technology and the materials used have been assessed. Based on the
outcomes of this assessment a technical guideline for future rehabilitation projects
is under developpment with the goal to make it easier, faster and more economical
to select and apply suitable designs and construction materials for dams,
plugs and other rehabiltation structures in former uranium mines.
2:25 PM
Consideration of Bioavailability in Assessing Sediment
Metal Toxicity
P. Paquin 1 , S. Becker 2 , R. Cardwell 3 and R. Santore 4 ; 1 HDR | Hydro-
Qual, Mahwah, NJ; 2 Integral Consulting, Seattle, WA; 3 Cardwell
Consulting, Redmond, WA and 4 HDR|HydroQual, Syracuse, NY
The presence of elevated metal levels in sediments does not always result in adverse
effects on benthic organisms because the chemical form of the metal will influence
its bioavailability and toxicity. Important bioavailability concepts are described
and illustrated by a case study involving a 150-mile reach of the upper
Columbia River. Sediments at this site have been influenced by a variety of anthropogenic
sources (e.g., mining-related operations). Elevated levels of cadmium,
copper, lead, and zinc, are present. Investigation efforts to date include detailed
chemical characterization and standard toxicity tests with 50 sediment
samples. An analysis of these sediment chemistry and toxicity data will be presented
to illustrate how bioavailability considerations may be used to inform an
assessment of the potential for effects of divalent metals. Organism responses are
compared to equilibrium-partitioning sediment benchmarks (ESBs). Consistency
of absence or presence of lethal and sublethal effects with alternative ESB indices
illustrates that elevated sediment metal levels alone are not reliable indicators of
toxicity and that bioavailability should be considered.
2:45 PM
Restoration at a Former Smelter: Minimizing
Long-term Stewardship
J. Horst 1 , G. Leone 2 , K. Smith 3 , S. Brown 4 and A. Fogg 5 ; 1 ARCADIS,
Newtown, PA; 2 ARCADIS, Denver, CO; 3 ARCADIS, Helena, MT;
4
ARCADIS, Phoenix, AZ and 5 ARCADIS, El Paso, TX
Restoration is currently underway for a former lead and copper smelter that operated
from approximately 1887 until 1999. As a result of the 100+ year history
of operation, groundwater across most of the site footprint is impacted primarily
with arsenic, with the highest concentrations and majority of groundwater flow
both focused along former (now buried) arroyos. These features represent the
greatest contribution of contaminant mass flux toward off site receptors, and are
the key to an integrated strategy for restoration that not only protects human
health and the environment but drives the site to an endpoint that can be sustained
by a minimal level of stewardship. This presentation will explain how this
is being pursued by shifting from concentration based compliance to sufficient
mitigation of contaminant flux to be protective of receptors, as an alternative to
containment via a physical barrier and perpetual pumping.
3:05 PM
An Evaluation of Geosynthetics in Engineered Cover Systems for
Mine Waste Rock and Tailings
M. Smith 1 and C. Athanassopoulos 2 ; 1 RRD International, Incline
Village, NV and 2 CETCO, Hoffman Estates, IL
Although geosynthetic materials have been commonly used in final cover systems
at solid waste landfill facilities for more than 30 years, they have seen much
less use in engineered cover systems for mine waste rock and tailings closures.
This paper will discuss possible reasons for this, including regulatory drivers,
concerns over cost and longevity, as well as perceived benefits of soil-only covers.
A literature review detailing the field performance (i.e., surface water infiltration
and oxygen diffusion) of different types of cover systems will also be presented.
Actual field data from sites in various climates will be used to
recommend practical upper precipitation limits for store and release soil covers.
Finally, this paper will present a net present value (NPV) cost evaluation of various
types of cover systems for mine closures. The NPV analysis will include not
only capital costs but also long-term acid rock drainage (ARD) management
costs, using cost data and ARD volumes from an actual mine closure project located
in a temperate climate.
3:25 PM
The Path from Smelter to Redevelopment Site:
Re-evaluating the Remedy
A. Fogg and S. Brown; ARCADIS/Malcolm Pirnie, El Paso, TX
A case study will be present on the initial remedial activities currently underway
for a former copper and lead smelter that operated for over 100 years. As part of
the transition from a smelter site to redevelopment site the initially proposed remedial
alternatives have been re-evaluated to take into account the reduced onsite
facilities and make the remediation less energy intensive with fewer long-term operations
and maintenance actions. Initial remedial activities and data gaps are focusing
on determining the key sources for soil and groundwater contamination.
Initial activities are focusing on the key areas that affect groundwater concentrations.
To date approximately 330,000 tons of slag and 300,000 tons of soil have
been excavated as part of the activities. The overall remedy will be a combination
of soil removals, soil capping and insitu groundwater remedies. Key to the overall
success of the project has been the development and communication with the
community, key stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
This is the Technical Program as of September 1, 2012. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Please see the Onsite Program for final details.