Influence of climate change, winter season, and runoff on the performance of cover systems to control acid mine drainage

采矿工业中最严重和最复杂的环境挑战之一是产生酸的矿山废物的回收。为了解决这一问题，在不同的情况下，采用不同类型的覆盖系统来控制矿山废物处理区的酸性矿井水。值得注意的盖板系统包括：低饱和水力导电性盖板（LSHCC），具有毛细管屏障效应的盖板（CCBE），结合了高水位的盖板（EWT）和绝缘盖板（IC）。通过考虑气候变化的影响，整合冬季矿山废弃物反应性的变化，在水平衡计算中更精确地估计径流，提高覆盖性能的评估。因此，研究计划分为三个不同的项目：1)将CC整合到覆盖系统的设计中；2)冬季覆盖矿山废弃物反应性评价；3)通过改进径流估算，改进覆盖系统水平衡计算。该研究计划将结合实验室测试、实地调查和数值分析来满足研究目标。鉴于该提案的跨学科性质，项目将涉及与气候专家和/或植被专家的合作。这项研究计划将推进与覆盖系统性能相关的知识，覆盖系统用于回收产生酸的矿山废物处理区域。制订有效的填海战略正在成为取得当地社区社会接受的一个日益重要的因素，需要使他们相信拟议的矿山不会对当地环境的质量产生重大影响。因此，这项研究计划比以往任何时候都更有必要保持一定程度的社会接受度，从而允许加拿大各地矿山的持续发展。这项工作将由HQP （1 PDF - 1.5年，2个博士，2个硕士，1个UG）执行，他们将获得必要的技能，成为减少硬岩矿山对环境影响的专家。

One of the most serious and complex environmental challenges in the mining industry is the reclamation of acid-generating mine wastes. To solve this problem, different types of cover systems are used to control acid mine drainage (AMD) in mine waste disposal areas under different circumstances. Notable cover systems include: low saturated hydraulic conductivity covers (LSHCC), covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBE), covers combined with an elevated water table (EWT), and insulation covers (IC). The goal of the proposed research program is to improve the assessment of cover performance by: considering the influence of climate change (CC), integrating changes in the reactivity of mine wastes during wintertime, and more precisely estimating runoff in water balance calculations. Thus, the research program is divided into three distinct projects: 1) Integrating CC into the design of cover systems; 2) Assessing the reactivity of covered mine wastes during wintertime; and 3) Improving cover system water balance calculations through improved estimations of runoff. The research program will use a combination of laboratory tests, field investigations, and numerical analyses to meet the research objectives. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the proposal, projects will involve collaboration with climate experts and/or vegetation specialists. This research program will advance knowledge related to the performance of cover systems used to reclaim acid-generating generating mine waste disposal areas. The development of effective reclamation strategies is becoming an increasingly crucial factor in gaining the social acceptance of local communities who need to be convinced that a proposed mine will not significantly impact the quality of the local environment. Thus, this research program is more necessary than ever to maintain a level of social acceptance that will allow for the continued development of mines across Canada. The work will be performed by HQP (1 PDF - 1.5 years, 2 PhD, 2 MSc, 1 UG) who will gain the skills necessary to become specialists in reducing the environmental impacts of hard rock mines.