Gaining insights into mine waste dumps to avoid environmental legacies

该项目旨在开发新的方法来识别矿山废石堆中的污染源热点和路径。这就解决了全国有效管理酸和含金属排放物的需要，这现在是新矿的生存能力和处理旧矿的污染遗留问题的关键考虑因素。这项研究将开发和测试地球物理和地球化学分析的创新方法及其综合，为垃圾场的主要物理和化学特征提供三维绘图。预期结果包括对采矿业管理AMD负债能力的信心增强。

The project aims to develop new methods for identifying pollution source hotspots and pathways inside mine waste rock dumps. This addresses the national need for effective management of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD), which is now a critical consideration in the viability of new mines and in confronting pollution legacies of old mines. The research will develop and test innovative methods of geophysical and geochemical analysis and their integration that provide 3-dimensional mapping of key physical and chemical features of the dump. Expected outcomes include greater confidence in the ability of the mining industry to manage its AMD liability.