Vadose run-off for mine tailings, waste rock and cover systems

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Mining has been a valuable component of the Canadian economy for more than a century and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. The most significant producers include oil sands, coal, base and precious metals, uranium, potash and diamonds. Land requirements for the management of mine waste are often enormous and difficult for lay people to comprehend. The Canadian Council for Innovation in Mining recently declared there is an urgent need to reduce the land and water footprints associated with mine waste impoundments. In addition, the oil sands industry wishes to reduce long term liabilities associated with fluid containment by moving from wet tailings systems towards dry landscapes. Achievement of these objectives will require the construction of elevated mine waste repositories with positive topographies that offer water shedding characteristics.