Presentation 01 CERM3 Review John Meech

A Review of CERM3's Activities: Year 1 : 

The University of British Columbia A Review of CERM3's Activities: Year 1 John A. Meech The Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and Materials Department of Mining Engineering Vancouver, B.C., V5T 1Z4 Tel: 604-822-3984 Fax: 604-822-5599 Email: jam@mining.ubc.ca Web site: http://www.cerm3.mining.ubc.ca

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                                                                                                                     This site is under construction; thank you for your patience. Copyright ©2001 CERM3 Created by Jeff Breadner and Robert Chu http://www.cerm3.mining.ubc.ca Providing Sustainable Research for the Mining Industry cerm3 Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals and Materials

Outline: 

CERM3 – Background. Sustainability – what is it? What we have accomplished todate. Where we plan to be in the near future. Outline

What is CERM3?: 

a multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to conducting environmental research for the mining industry CERM3's research is developing innovative technology both short- and long-term research are being conducted - to mitigate existing site problems, - to evaluate on-going problems, and - to prevent such occurrences in the future What is CERM3?

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Sponsors of CERM3 The Canada Foundation for Innovation The BC Knowledge Development Fund The University of British Columbia Stewart Blusson Endowment Fund The Canadian Mining Industry

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CERM3 Mission Statement Foster high regard for sustainable mining practices and concern for the environment Develop innovative methods to ensure the future sustainability of the Mining Industry Train the next generation of Mining and Processing Engineers for the 21st Century Improve the image of Mining in society

What is Sustainability?: 

What is Sustainability? a number of definitions exist The Bruntland Commission's definition "to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." So we see temporal, political, social and spatial components in this definition

Components of Sustainability: 

Components of Sustainability Social Environment Technology Politics Society Economics Physical Environment Exploitation Investing for The Future Working with Communities Government and Regulations Sharing the Weath Cultural Values

The Evolution of Sustainability: 

The Evolution of Sustainability 1970 – The Environmental Movement 1988 – The Bruntland Commission 1995 – Protecting the Environment accepted 2013 – Sustainability will be mature But what's next? Sharing the wealth (Kyoto Protocol - 1997) Peace in our time (Iraqi-US War - 2003) Saving the planet (Global Warming - 2007) Living forever (Nanotechnology - 2012) Post-humanism (The Machine Age – 2017)

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Exploitation Investing for the Future Government and Politics Working with Communities Cultural Values Sharing the Wealth Contexts of Sustainability Are these contexts always in conflict? If so, what generates such depth of conflict?

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The conflict arises because of Causes of the Conflict Uncertainty about the earth resources Uncertainty about the financial resources UNCERTAINTY Uncertainty about the availability of the extracted values Uncertainty about impact of the activity on the environment Uncertainty about the social environment in which a mine operates Uncertainty about impact on social values Uncertainty about available technology to achieve new goals

A New Definition: 

A New Definition Sustainable Mining is "evaluation and management of the uncertainties and risks associated with earth resource development."

Sustainability Dialog in Mining: 

Sustainability Dialog in Mining The Global Mining Initiative Mining and Minerals Sustainable Development GMI Conference took place in Toronto in May 2002 "...this Conference...is not about changing image, it’s about changing behaviour." Jacques Gerin, Chairman, IISD International Council on Mining and Metals The MMSD reports are remarkable and should be read by all of us if we really want to develop new attitudes. But something is missing from the dialog: - There is virtually no mention of the role of Technology "The discipline of sustainable development is not some strange new management methodology but rather, a description of the way the mining industry works when it is at its best." Sir Robert Wilson, Chairman, Rio Tinto

Technological Necessities: 

Technological Necessities Target: Sustainability -  increase energy efficiency by 50% (comminution practices) -  develop common approach to ARD mitigation (The MEND-2000 Program) -  reduce the visible footprint of mining

Technological Necessities: 

Technological Necessities Target: Sustainability -  develop techniques to store waste in the mine -  develop common approach to sub-aqueous waste disposal -  establish new delivery systems for energy and fuels from mining - use less toxic reagents to recover metals (alternatives to cyanide)

CERM3's Role: 

CERM3's Role Work to have these goals accepted by industry Develop the necessary innovative technologies Repair damage of the past by creating beauty Be a catalyst for change and innovation Develop sustainable engineers for industry Focus attention on new sustainable technologies

Sustainable Engineering: 

Sustainable Engineering based on the premise that "more-benefit-for-less-cost" is possible without trade-offs or compromise integrate design of several ideas simultaneously so each measure achieves multiple benefits (e.g., saving energy and equipment costs) "piggyback" new ideas onto changes being made for other reasons. (e.g, renovating old equipment, renewing derelict buildings, or hazard removal of CFCs, asbestos, PCBs)

Sustainable Engineer: 

Sustainable Engineer A well-trained sustainable engineer is guided by the following precepts: -  consider the whole system in any decision. -  account for all measurable benefits. -  schedule all tasks correctly. - anticipate possible intervention problems.

CERM3 Accomplishments – Year 1: 

Installed equipment and placed 5 key laboratories into operation Environmental Quality Lab – L. Lavkulich/ M. Veiga Bioremediation & Reclamation Lab – S. Baldwin/ M Veiga/K. Hall Environmental Technology Lab – B. Klein/M. Pawlik/D. Dreisinger Mine Health & Safety Lab – K. Teschke/R. Pakalnis Mine Automation & Environmental Simulation Lab – R. Hall Set up an administrative office – M. Ghomshei/A. Wang Established policies for use of facilities by users Created the Millennium Plug Research Station – B. Lang Began to conduct research in the facilities – numerous researchers Established a growing presence at Britannia Beach CERM3 Accomplishments – Year 1

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ARD mitigation with industrial minerals – B. Klein/A. Entesari Geothermal energy projects – M. Ghomshei/J. Meech Earth plugs for mine closure – R. Pakalnis/B. Lang Stable Isotopes in ARD sourcing – M. Ghomshei SRB processes for ARD treatment – S. Baldwin Rheology in Mineral Processing – B. Klein/D. Hallbom/J. Yue Fracture Mechanics in Comminution – D. Tromans/J. Meech Magnetic Levitation in Hoisting – J. Meech/R. Ulansky Social Issues in Mining – C. Odell/G. Gibson/M. Veiga/M. Scoble Simulation modeling and robotics – R. Hall/B. Klein Geomechanics design guidelines – R. Pakalnis Waste dump characterizations – W. Wilson/P. Fines Modeling soil covers – W. Wilson/B. Weeks Codisposal of tailings and waste rock – W. Wilson/B. Wickland CERM3 Research Projects – Year 1

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Pit Lake Modeling – G. Lawrence Soil and Water Resources – L. Lavkulich Microbiology in Mining – C. Suttle Phyto-mining and reclamation – C. Anderson (Massey Univ., N.Z.) Heap leaching research – D. Dixon Bioindicators for mercury pollution – M. Veiga/J. Hinton Two spin-off initiatives: - Innovative Sustainable Mining NCE Proposal (M. Scoble) - CHIR Bridge Program (K. Teschke) New Research Infrastructure Proposal - Britannia Beach Sustainable Mining Research Park CERM3 Research Projects – Year 1

UBC - Britannia Mine Collaboration: 

UBC - Britannia Mine Collaboration for over 26 years, > 10,000 tonnes of heavy metals have spewed into Howe Sound with no one assuming responsibility to correct the problem UBC had need for a research facility to conduct testwork into the design of bulkheads to seal tunnels by placing this laboratory at the 2200 level portal of Britannia Mine, two synergistic events occurred: - UBC installed its research lab at a full-scale field site - Britannia Mine closure plan moved closer to fulfillment

Location of Britannia Mine: 

Location of Britannia Mine Britannia Beach, B.C.

CERM3 Involvement at Britannia Beach: 

CERM3 Involvement at Britannia Beach Collaboration with the BC Museum of Mining Exhibits on ARD and advice on exhibits Collaboration with NRCan’s CanMet Laboratory ARD Research and Revegetation of Waste Dumps Collaboration with Copper Beach Estates Limited Construction of the Millennium Plug Collaboration with the Residents Health Risk Assessment and Long-term Sustainability

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Results of the 2200 Level Plug All pollution to Britannia Creek has been stopped. All pollution discharging directly into the surface waters of Howe Sound has been stopped. All effluent now exits the mine from a single source. Between 15 to 20 percent of the total copper in the combined effluent is now precipitating inside the mine.

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Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia List of Endangered Rivers 2001 – Britannia Creek listed as Number 1 on the list The Most Polluted River in B.C. 2002 – Britannia Creek upgraded to Number 8 on the list A Stream of Concern The list is write-in poll of 120,000 members of 40 recreation and conservation groups, as well as public and private resource managers. The general public also participates.

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Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection Remediation Project 3 RFPs were let in Aug. 2001 Hydrology and hydrogeology Contaminated sites analysis Water treatment plant 4100 Level plug test and treatment plant testwork are completed CERM3/CBEL have been working in cooperation with the Ministry and its contractors on these studies Treatment plant is planned for start-up in mid-2004 Considerable effort being made to study the problem in detail

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Treatment Plant Research Requirements Operating costs are estimated at $1.7 million per year Research to reduce this cost is necessary Use of an SRB process to recover metals as sulfides Metal recovery at Britannia Reduction in lime consumption Reduction in ARD at source Stabilization of lime sludge The initial BBSMRP research program will focus on these projects

A Sustainable Community at Britannia Beach: 

A Sustainable Community at Britannia Beach Development of - a retirement community - a recreational community - a major tourist attraction - a Research Park dedicated to Mining & the Environment - a Gateway to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games

Britannia Beach Sustainable Mining Research Park: 

Britannia Beach Sustainable Mining Research Park Advantages - access to a real mine - access to real ARD - an association with the BC Museum of Mining - historical nature of Mining at Britannia Beach - location (Whistler- Vancouver corridor) - showcase Sustainable Mining concept during 2010 Winter Olympic Games

Britannia Beach Sustainable Mining Research Park: 

Expressions of Interest - UBC/CERM3 (Sustainability & the Environment) - NRCan – CANMET (Remediation/revegetation, ARD) - MacDonald Dettwiler (Remote Monitoring) - North Pacific GeoPower Corporation (Geothermal) - Environment-Canada (sub-aqueous waste disposal) - BC Water, Land, and Air Protection (Mining & Env.) Britannia Beach Sustainable Mining Research Park

Conclusion: 

Conclusion CERM3 will be performing significant research into mining and the environment. Britannia Mine will be reclaimed and restored. Howe Sound will once again be clean. Britannia Beach will become a sustainable town. A Research Park will be built at Britannia. Britannia Beach will be a showcase for Mining. Reclaiming Britannia will help the Olympic bid.

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The Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals and Materials C E R M 3 - providing sustainable research for the Mining industry…..