Use of Advanced Customizable Leach Columns as a tool to characterize the physiochemical processes occurring in mine waste rock and tailings

采矿会产生大量废物（例如废石和尾矿），其中一些含有硫化物矿物，当暴露于氧气时会氧化并产生酸性岩石排水（ARD）。矿山废物通常就地储存在储存设施中，可占所有ARD产量的80%以上。有几种方法可以解决ARD潜力，但这些测试很少与特定的环境条件或处置库设计联系起来。高级可定制浸出柱（ACLC）可用作提供复制现场特定条件（例如，温度、氧气可用性、含水量）可以更好地预测ARD潜力，并为储存设施的设计考虑提供信息。这项研究计划的目标是通过量化控制ARD生产的不同变量的作用，增加我们对使用实验室规模实验来表征和预测矿山废物ARD生产的基本理解。预计研究结果将立即为NexGen和Imperial现场改进废物储存解决方案提供信息。这些改进，修改和发现也将在Okane开发的新一代ACLC中实施，以提供给全球客户。

Mining generates large amounts of waste (e.g. waste rock and tailings), some of which contains sulfide minerals that oxidize and produce acid rock drainage (ARD) when exposed to oxygen. Mine waste is commonly stored on-site in storage facilities which can account for > 80% of all ARD produced. Several methods exist to address ARD potential, but these tests are rarely linked to specific environmental conditions or repository designs. Advanced Customizable Leach Columns (ACLCs) can be used as a way to provide laboratory scale tests that replicate site specific conditions (e.g., temperature, oxygen availability, water content) can potentially offer a better prediction of ARD potential and inform design considerations for storage facilities. The goal of this research program is to increase our fundamental understanding of using lab-scale experiments to characterize and predict ARD production from mine waste by quantifying the role of different variables that control ARD production. Research outcomes are expected to immediately inform improved waste storage solutions on site by both NexGen and Imperial. The improvements, modifications, and discoveries will also be implemented in the new generation of ACLCs developed by Okane to offer to clients worldwide.