GTK's Eco-efficient Mining Program

Research programsResearch Programs1. Mineral Potential2. Eco-efficient mining3. Energy4. Marine geology and global change5. Urban geology6. Groundwater and aggregatesMinerals andraw material supplyIndustry, commerce andsocietal decision makingKnow-how, data and expert services1 2Energy andthe environment3 4Land use andconstruction5 6Data collection and managementGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Research program: Eco-efficient miningGoals set for the program:• Develop eco-efficient ore concentration methods• Find ways to recycle and manage by-products and wastefrom mining and refining operations• Promote sustainable use of geological resources throughdevelopment of geoenvironmental researchGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

The Eco-efficient miningprogram at GTKGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

GTK’s regional priorities and profiles• Regional offices have close links toregional planning and the businesssector• Research activities and services aredefined on the basis of regionaldevelopment plans and businesspriorities• Major aims are to develop andmaintain an internationallycompetitive business environmentand to promote employment inregional countiesLand use andenergy sectorsKokkolaLoppiEspooExploration andminingRovaniemiKuopioEnvironment andextractive industryOutokumpuUrban geology andinternational projectsGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Eco-efficient mining program at GTK:research groups and themes• Two main research groups– Minerals processing group (Outokumpu, pilot plant)– Mining environmental group (Kuopio, Rovaniemi…)• Main research themes– Eco-efficient mineral processing techniques– Applied mineralogy (incl. environmental mineralogy)– Beneficiation and recycling of waste streams– Minimizing emissions from mine sites– Environmental risk assessment and modeling at minesitesGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Where geographically?• The Mining environmental and risk assessment researchgroup in Kuopio• Mining environmental studies in jointly funded projects inRovaniemi (ENVIMINE, SULKA)• Minerals processing research at GTK Mintec in Outokumpu• Closely related projects in environmental (regional)geochemistry in Espoo (e.g. As-projects: Ramas, Asrocks)• ‘Sustainable development’ projects of the Mineral potentialresearchprogram in Espoo (SAM, ProMine)GTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

The mining environmental and riskassessment research group in Kuopio• Senior scientist, Dr. Marja Liisa Räisänen• Senior scientist, Dr. Päivi Kauppila• Research scientist Soile Backnäs, MSc. (geol & tech)• Senior scientist, Dr. Jari Mäkinen• Senior scientist, Dr. Anne Kousa• Chief scientist, Dr. Antti Pasanen• Geologist Anna Tornivaara, MSc.• Geochemist Lauri Solismaa, MSc.• Geologist Teemu Karlsson MSc. (fixed term)• Geologist Kaisa Turunen, MSc. (fixed term)• Research assistant Pekka Forsman, Civil eng.• Research assistant Kari Tiitta• Chief Scientist, Dr. Tommi KauppilaGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Recent and current projects• GTK Mintec• BEPGE & Prosu: Process Scale-up for Sulphide Poor PGE Ores• PROBIO: Bioleaching of wastes and slags• PreGOLD: Bio-oxidation and autoclave pressure oxidation of gold bearing concentrates• CCCP – Compact, Combined and Co-working Pretreatments for Mineral Processing• REPRO: Assessment of Rare Earth Metal Recovery Processes• GTK Mintec + KUO• Arsenal: Arsenic Control in Mining Processes and the Extractive Industry• MINIMAN: Solutions for Control of Nitrogen Discharges at Mines and Quarries• SAM: Sustainable, Acceptable Mining; water footprint, social acceptance, reporting etc.• EURARE: Development of a sustainable exploitation scheme for Europe’s Rare Earth oredeposits - New environmentally friendly approaches in minerals processing• Guides• INERT: Defining mining wastes as ‘inert’ (guidebook)• KAJAK: Risk-based inventory of old mine sites• BEP mining: Best environmental practices for metal mines (guidebook; in English 2013)• EIA guide for mining projects: new version late 2014• Closedure: Mine closure technologies resourceGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Recent and current projects• International• MEJORORO: ASM gold mining in the Madre de Diosin region in Peru• Envimine: Mine closure in the Barents region (PSY)• FYTOMINER: Short Rotation Willow Coppice (SRWC) in bioremediation andenergy production• Mining wastes training in Turkey• Namupol: Capacity building and U mining policy development in Namibia• Risks, effects, water treatment• MINERA: Improving Environmental Risk Assessments for Metal Mines• METKARI:Ecological effects of metals in sediments and surface waters (UEFJoensuu)• Health effects of hi-tech metals (+ EURARE)• ProMine WP5: Producing nano products from mining waste streams in its effect onsustainability and the environment• Sulka: Sulfur in mine environments (PSY)• Seeway: Modular, distributed treatment system for mine waters (incl. Kaveri)GTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Defining our focusGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Main themes• New mineral processing methods• Applied mineralogy• New uses for and recycling of product streams• Methods to minimize emissions from mine sites• Risk assessment and modelling at mine sitesGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Focus areas within the themes• New mineral processing methods– Process modelling– Hi-Tech minerals– Comminution: testing and scale-up– Bioprocessing– Fine grain size classes• Applied mineralogy– Environmental mineralogy– Fine grain size classes• New uses for and recycling of product streams– Recovery from process waters and wastes– Control of harmful substancesGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Focus areas within the themes• Methods to minimize emissions from mine sites– Predicting long term stability and reactions of mining wastes– Promoting utilization of mining wastes (environmental properties)– Environmentally friendly methods for storage of mining wastes– Treatment and recycling of mine waters– Mine site reclamation (waste storage, backfills, pit lakes…)• Risk assessment and modelling at mine sites– Environmental risk assessment methods for mine sites– Risk assessment geochemistry for soils and sediments (baseline concentrations, modes ofoccurrence, bioavailability, contamination vs. pollution)– Hydrogeological and geohydrological modelling for mine sites– Flow and reactions of water and contaminants– Minerals-based contaminants at mine sitesGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Stakeholder expectations (mineralsprocessing)• What is it that stakeholders and the general public might expect GTK to know within the field of ’Eco-efficient mining’?• Stakeholder expectations– Soil cleanup technologies– Modellin• Process modelling• Balance sheets– High-tech minerals know how– Environmental mineralogy– CLP-classifications– Energy issues– Mine backfill methods– Uranium enrichment– Radiation expertise– Development of new technological methods– Improving existing processes– Improving utilization of waste and product streams from minerals processing• Recovery and refining of valuables• End uses for the products• Matarials efficiency– Expertise on sampling processes– Mineralogical research methods• MLA• XRD• Heavy minerals• Spektroscopic methods• Fine grain size classes• Microanalysis– Residues of chemicals in process waters and products– Processing plant planning• Feasibility studiesGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Stakeholder expectations (mineralsprocessing)• What is it that stakeholders and the general public might expect GTK to know within the field of ’Eco-efficient mining’?• Stakeholder expectations– Soil cleanup technologies– Modelling• Process modelling• Balance sheets– High-tech minerals know how– Environmental mineralogy– CLP-classifications– Energy issues– Mine backfill methods– Uranium enrichment– Radiation expertise– Development of new technological methods– Improving existing processes– Improving utilization of waste and product streams from minerals processing• Recovery and refining of valuables• End uses for the products• Materials efficiency– Expertise on sampling processes– Mineralogical research methods• MLA• XRD• Heavy minerals• Spektroscopic methods• Fine grain size classes• Microanalysis– Residues of chemicals in process waters and products– Processing plant planning• Feasibility studiesGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Stakeholder expectations (miningenvironmental)• Baseline studies, site specific background concentrations, monitoring plans• Environmental risk assessment of mine sites• Transport and spreading of contaminants• Soil metal bioavailability, transport to groundwater, soil pollution• Geological structures at mine sites• Groundwater modelling, studies of groundwater pollution• Mine hydrology and hydrogeology• Effects on surface waters and sediments• Risk management, water treatment (reactive barriers, wetlands)• Dealing with wastes from water treatment methods• Predicting long term behaviour of waste facilities; the effects of ore type and tailings mineralogy• Estimating stability of mining wastes (e.g. solubility)• Solubility studies and methods development (in co-operation)• Health effects of mining contaminants• Geological expertise in sampling and monitoring design• Expert reports• Environmental properties and usability of waste rocks• Composition of mineral dusts, spreading• Environmental field studies for the whole mine life cycle• New rehabilitation methods (waste facilities, mine backfill, pit lakes)• QC/QA• GIS expertise• Carbon footprint• Life cycle assessments for mining projects• Optimization of energy use, shallow geothermal energyGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

Stakeholder expectations (miningenvironmental)• Baseline studies, site specific background concentrations, monitoring plans• Environmental risk assessment of mine sites• Transport and spreading of contaminants• Soil metal bioavailability, transport to groundwater, soil pollution• Geological structures at mine sites• Groundwater modelling, studies of groundwater pollution• Mine hydrology and hydrogeology• Effects on surface waters and sediments• Risk management, water treatment (reactive barriers, wetlands)• Dealing with wastes from water treatment methods• Predicting long term behaviour of waste facilities; the effects of ore type and tailings mineralogy• Estimating stability of mining wastes (e.g. solubility)• Solubility studies and methods development (in co-operation)• Health effects of mining contaminants• Geological expertise in sampling and monitoring design• Expert reports• Environmental properties and usability of waste rocks• Composition of mineral dusts, spreading• Environmental field studies for the whole mine life cycle• New rehabilitation methods (waste facilities, mine backfill, pit lakes)• QC/QA• GIS expertise• Carbon footprint• Life cycle assessments for mining projects• Optimization of energy use, shallow geothermal energyGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013

tommi.kauppila@gtk.fiGTK stakeholder seminar, Kuopio7.5.2013