NSERC-UQAT Industrial Research Chair on mine site reclamation

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Over the past twenty years or so, the mining industry has invested significant capital in the development oftools and technologies for improving the management of waste rocks and tailings. However, despite thisprogress, there are still important areas that need to be studied, particularly with respect to the reclamation ofmine waste disposal areas containing reactive minerals that can generate contaminated mine drainages. Thelong-term objective of this research program is to develop efficient reclamation strategies that limitenvironmental impacts and risks using novel approaches or technologies. The proposed research includes fiveprojects: 1) Theoretical aspects related to mine site reclamation; 2) Reclamation of tailings storage facilities; 3)Reclamation of waste rock storage facilities; 4) Long-term performance of engineered mine covers; and 5)Technology and knowledge transfer. The proposed Chair will use a combination of investigative approaches,including laboratory testing, physical modeling, in situ measurements and monitoring, and numerical modeldevelopment and application. This industrial chair will allow for the development of new technologies and/orthe improvement of existing technologies for reclaiming mine waste disposal areas at hard rock mines that arelocated in varied climatic conditions. The planning of reclamation strategies is becoming increasingly crucial,even during the early stages of a project in which local communities must be convinced that a proposed minewill not become an environmental problem. The work in this Chair will be performed through the training ofhighly qualified personnel who will become much-needed specialists that will help the mining industry producemetals while reducing their environmental impacts.