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1
Selman, Paul Harry. "An approach to the assessment of the agricultural impacts of coal mining." Thesis, University of Stirling, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/1787.
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Contentions that expansion of the British coal mining industry into predominantly rural areas may pose serious threats to agriculture and food production are reviewed in the light of the available evidence. It is considered that, whilst the severity of impacts and rate of future development may have been overstated, the conflicts are sufficiently significant to warrant close examination. Further, land use planners are responding for the first time to mining proposals affecting entire coalfields, thus making it essential to establish the correct principles of development from the outset. It is noted that past assessments of agricultural impacts have failed to reflect their diverse and pervasive nature, thus necessitating the identification of more appropriate methods of forecasting. In the light of current weaknesses in practice, it is argued that a formal system of impact assessment may prove necessary. Those characteristics of mining operations and associated end-uses which are likely to affect agriculture are analysed, as are those aspects of the farm enterprise most vulnerable to disruption. These various characteristics are then used as a basis for the assessment of mining-agriculture impacts. A review of the strategic nature of impacts arising from mining programmes is considered desirable, and limited proposals are made regarding assessment at this scale. More detailed consideration is given to an appraisal framework for individual mining proposals, and this is tested in relation to part of the 'Vale of Belvoirl coalfield. It is concluded that, although further methodological refinements and field investigations are necessary, the early implementation of an impact assessment procedure is nevertheless justified.
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Maneya, George Jameson. "An integrated study of coal geology and potential environmental impact assessment at Mchenga Coal Mine in Livingstonia Coalfield in Malawi." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/480.
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This study was carried out on the main coal-producing and the extensively block-faulted area of Mchenga Coal Mine, southeast of the 90 km2 intracratonic Livingstonia Coalfield in the north of Malawi. It was initiated against the background of indistinct information on coal geology, shortage of energy and potential environmental threats due to mine activities. The study aimed at integrating investigations of characterization of the lithostratigraphy, coal seam correlation, coal quality determination, examination of the mineralogy and geochemistry of coal and hosts rocks, assessment of water quality and providing information for mining and potential environmental and water quality impact assessment in the study area. The methodologies used in this study include literature review, field visits, mapping, sites selection and characterization, borehole logging, geochemical analyses, data processing and interpretation. The geochemical analyses include proximity analysis of coal quality, microscopy and X-ray Diffraction for mineralogy and petrology, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for rock geochemistry and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for determination water geochemistry. The results have shown that a) The Coal Measures comprises of four to six coal seams in different localities, and the occurrence is flat and gently dipping southeast and are correlated. Thicknesses of the coal seams vary from 0.10m to 3.0m with some notable lateral and horizontal variations. Thick and workable seams occupy the lower portion of the Coal Measures and are exposed along the North Rumphi River bank; b) Coal quality belongs to sub-bituminous ‘A’ to ‘C’ on ASTM classification (1991), being characterised by low moisture content (0.8 to 1.3 wt percent) and sulphur content (0.49 to 0.85 wt percent), high ash content (9.0 to 17 wt percent) and volatile matter (24 to 32.9 wt percent), fixed carbon (53.6 to 62.6 wt percent), calorific value (7,015 to 7,670 kcal/kg); c) Mineral matters constitute approximately 9.55 to 38.34 wt percent of the coal samples, predominantly clays (interstratified illite/smectite and kaolinite) with varying proportions of quartz, mica and feldspars, as well as minor calcite and pyrite and their geochemistry, being characterised by enrichment of SiO2 from 5.37 to 20.56 wt percent, Al2O3 (2.63 to 11.21 wt percent) and K2O (0.32 to 3.65 wt percent) with trace concentrations of CaO (0.04 to 0.41 wt. percent), MgO (0.08 to 0.65 wt percent) and P2O5 (0.018 to 0.037 wt percent) and Na2O concentration notably below 0.01 wt percent; d) Calcite and pyrite constitute minor concentration in both sandstones and shales; e) Water quality in the area is characterised as two groups of acidic (pH 3.3-6.4) and near-neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.9-7.3) and low pH, high TDS, SO42- and EC are noted at the coal crusher plant which points out to high leaching of trace elements such as Pb and Fe. Na++K+ are dominant in upper sections of North Rumphi and Mhlepa Rivers. Ca2+ cations are dominant at crusher plant, underground mine and lower section of Mhlepa; f) Based on the geochemistry analysis, Na and trace elements such as Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr and Zr from coal and host rocks have the ability to contribute significantly to deterioration in the ground and surface water quality in the study area. It can be concluded that the coals of the Livingstonia Coalfield belong to Gondwana group deposited in sub-basin with multiple seams embedded in sandstone and shale host rocks.
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Zipper, Carl E. "Opportunities for improved surface mine reclamation in the central Appalachian coal region." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/82619.
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The Appalachian coal mining region is subject to a number of environmental and economic problems; many are a result of the steeply sloping topography. The extensive surface mining activities in the area appear to offer the opportunity to produce more favorable landforms at minimum marginal costs. Yet, despite this apparent opportunity and the success of research efforts to develop improved mine soil construction and revegetation techniques, the majority of the mining and reclamation activities in the Virginia coal region are carried out using conventional methods: reconstructing steeply sloping mining areas to their approximate original contours.
The purpose of this research was to estimate the costs of coal surface mine reclamation methods designed to prepare mined lands for improved use in areas of steeply sloping topography. During the course of this research, a computer-based mining and reclamation cost estimating system was developed. COSTSUM is a set of seven programs designed to analyze data from active surface mining sites to determine spoil handling and reclamation costs. OPSIM is a surface mining simulator designed to estimate the differences in spoil handling costs among reclamation and postmining landform alternatives.
This cost-estimating system was utilized during an intensive study of mining and reclamation costs at a surface mining site in Wise County, Virginia, where a number of improved reclamation practices were implemented. At this site, a steeply sloping premining topography was transformed to a postmining landform containing an extensive near-level area covered with deep, uncompacted, potentially productive mine soils. Analysis of daily records of operations revealed that the cost of mining and reclaiming this site was comparable to industry average costs in the area in spite of departure from conventional methods. The results of simulation procedures indicated that the cost of mining so as to produce this landscape was less than than the estimated cost of conventional mining methods. Since the topography of the site is typical of surrounding areas, there are opportunities to produce near-level landforms with deep, productive soils as a byproduct of coal surface mining activities.Ph. D.
4
Mutambanengwe, Cecil Clifford Zvandada. "The biotechnology of hard coal utilization as a bioprocess substrate." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003993.
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The development of coal biotechnology, using hard coal as a substrate, has been impeded by its low reactivity in biological processes. As a result, the more successful application studies have focused on lignitic soft coals. However, new studies have reported using biologically or geologically oxidized hard coal as a functional substrate option for bioprocess applications on a large scale. This study undertook a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of environmental applications of coal biotechnology using oxidized hard coal substrates in both anaerobic and aerobic processes with carbon dioxide, sulfate and oxygen as terminal electron acceptors. A preliminary characterization of the oxidized hard coal substrates was undertaken to determine and predict their viability and behavior as electron donors and carbon sources for environmental bioprocess applications of direct interest to the coal mining industry. Both biologically and geologically oxidized coal substrates showed loss of up to 17% and 52% carbon respectively and incorporation of oxygen ranging from 0.9 – 24%. The latter substrate showed greater loss of carbon and increased oxygenation. The biologically and geologically oxidized hard coal substrates were shown to partition readily into 23% and 32% organic humic acid, a 0.1% fulvic acid fraction and 65% and 59% inorganic and humin fractions respectively. These organic components were shown to be potentially available for biological consumption. In the unmodified hard coal substrate, partitioning was not observed and it did not perform as a functional substrate for any of the bioprocesses investigated. Where carbon dioxide was used as a terminal electron acceptor, methane production ranging from 9 – 26 mg CH4.g substrate-1 was demonstrated from both oxidized coal substrates. Geologically oxidized coal produced 30% more methane than biologically oxidized coal. Methane yields from the geologically oxidized coal in the presence and absence of a co-substrate were 5 – 13-fold higher than previous studies that used hard coal for methanogenesis. Based on these results, and that the development and optimization of the biological oxidation process is currently ongoing, further applications investigated in this study were undertaken using geologically oxidized coal. It was shown using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry that the methanogenic system was dependent on the presence of an effective co-substrate supporting the breakdown of the complex organic structures within the oxidized hard coal substrate. Also that the accumulation of aromatic intermediate breakdown compounds predominantly including toluene, furfural, styrene and 2-methoxy vinyl phenol appeared to become inhibitory to both methanogenic and sulfidogenic reactions. This was shown to be a more likely cause of reactor failure rather than substrate exhaustion over time. Evidence of a reductive degradation pathway of the complex organic structures within the oxidized hard coal substrates was shown through the production, accumulation and utilization of volatile fatty acids including acetic, formic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids. Comparative analysis of the volatile fatty acids produced in this system showed that geologically oxidized coal produced 20% more of the volatile fatty acids profiled and double the total concentration compared to the biologically oxidized coal. The use of geologically oxidized hard coal as a functional substrate for biological sulfate reduction was demonstrated in the neutralization of a simulated acid mine drainage wastewater in both batch and continuous process operations. Results showed an increase in pH from pH 4.0 to ~ pH 8.0 with sulfide production rates of ~ 86 mgL-1.day-1 in the batch reactions, while the pH increased to pH 9.0 and sulfide production rates of up to 450 mgL-1.day-1 were measured in the continuous process studies using sand and coal up-flow packed bed reactors. Again, the requirement for an effective co-substrate was demonstrated with lactate shown to function as a true co-substrate in this system. However, a low cost alternative to lactate would need to emerge if the process was to function in large-scale commercial environmental treatment applications. In this regard, the aerobic growth and production of Neosartorya fischeri biomass (0.64 g.biomass.g SOC-1) was demonstrated using oxidized hard coal and glutamate as a co-substrate. Both can be produced from wastes generated on coal mines, with the fungal biomass generated in potentially large volumes. Preliminary demonstration of the use of the fungal biomass as a carbon and electron donor source for biological sulfate reduction was shown and thus that this could serve as an effective substrate for anaerobic environmental treatment processes. Based on these findings, an Integrated Coal Bioprocess model was proposed using oxidized hard coal as a substrate for environmental remediation applications on coal mines. In this approach, potential applications included methane recovery from waste coal, use of waste coal in the treatment of acid mine drainage waste waters and the recovery and use of humic acids in the rehabilitation of open cast mining soils. This study provided a first report demonstrating the use of biologically and geologically oxidized hard coals as bioprocess substrates in environmental bioremediation applications. It also provided an indication that follow-up bioengineering studies to investigate scaled-up applications of these findings would be warranted.
5
Wang, Wei J. "Monitoring the impact of surface coal mining on vegetation in southwestern Indiana using remote sensing and GIS." Virtual Press, 2008. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1399198.
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Surface coal mining leads to inevitable changes and notable impact on the physical environment of the earth and engenders immense damage to the landscape and the ecological environment. The dramatic high-speed rock digging and disturbance unavoidably causes ecosystem degradation and destruction. Detecting how surface coal mining affects the environment on the process of land use/cover change is one of the primary concerns to preserve nature and minimize the environmental impacts. Therefore, monitoring and understanding the environmental impact processes in mining areas is critical for sustainable management of the Earth's environment. In this thesis, remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) are applied to assess the spatial environmental impact caused by surface coal mining in southwestern Indiana. The goal of this research is to develop a methodology to classify the coal mining field using satellite imagery and to quantify and assess land use /cover changes using remote sensing and GIS. The specific methods include classification of Landsat Thermal Mapper (TM) data and comparison of the spatial patterns of the classification results in the study region. The results are presented with a 3-D model to better understand and visualize the coal mining effects on the landscape. Results obtained in this study indicate the change area of land use/cover and the potential area for planting crops in southwestern Indiana. Based on the observation of the data results, vegetation in the study area was found to have changed significantly over the study period. In particular, the developed areas have been increasing quickly and the areas of agriculture and forests have been decreasing appreciably.Department of Geography
6
Gouws, Johan. "The cost benefit analysis of reclamation strategies used in surface coal mining to ensure sustainable post-mining land use." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97326.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, a cost benefit analysis was done to determine the best possible methods for postmining reclamation. A comparison was made between a conventional method with additional organic material added to the soil and a Backgrounding method where cattle are reared on the land. The best method, according to the financial model that was built, was the method of Backgrounding cattle on the rehabilitated land. The main reason for this outcome may be due to the fact that the meat that is produced is a high value product. It might not be practically applicable to mines at this stage, but the calculation provides an insight into the possibilities that reclaimed mine land holds for the agricultural industry.
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Mphinyane, Andani. "Learning pathways for improving rehabilitation practices in the mining industry : two cases of coal mining and borrow pits." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013271.
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This research investigates cases of learning pathways for improving rehabilitation practices for key occupations in the mining industry. The study is set up as a partnership research programme between Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre in South Africa, and the South African Qualification Authority, focussing on workplace learning and sustainability practices. This research programme seeks to understand the implications of the move to a knowledge society, with its emphasis on knowledge building over time, particularly in and for the environmental sector. The research was conducted as a qualitative case study that made use of semi-structured interviews, document analysis, visual photographs and observations as instruments of data gathering. Participants were sampled from two case studies, one in Limpopo province and the other one in Mpumalanga Province, who are directly involved in rehabilitation practices and related education and training programmes. The study makes use of career stories from the key occupations to provide insight into workplace learning pathways to inform education and training in the mining industry. A series of analytical statements captures some of the main findings on early education histories, career choices, learning pathway decisions and experiences related to sustainable practices and some complexities related to learning pathways. Environment and sustainability education is a cross-cutting issue in the NQF; and it pertains to the mining sector, especially to rehabilitation practices, which form the focus of this study as little is known about learning pathways associated with these sustainability practices. Insights from the study should enable the sector to enhance rehabilitation training for key occupations and at the same time encourage lifelong learning contributing towards sustainable development.
8
Gitari, Wilson Mugera. "Evaluation of the leachate chemistry and contaminants attenuation in acid mine drainage by fly ash and its derivatives." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_6041_1254305614.
Full textAbstract:
This study aimed at understanding the chemistry of the neutralization of the acid mine drainage with fly ash by considering the acid mine drainage : fly ash ratios that produce neutral and alkaline process waters.
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Herron, Steven K. "The hydrogeological impacts of longwall coal mining-induced susidence, northern Wasatch plateau, Utah : a modular, three- dimensional, finite-difference flow model." Virtual Press, 1996. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1020152.
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the ground-water system was studied in Burnout Canyon, Northern Wasatch Plateau, Utah to provided hydrogeologic information relative to the impacts of longwall coalmining induced subsidence. The longwall panels of coal are overlain by approximately 600 feet of interbedded sand, silt, and shale. The water-bearing zones are comprised of local 1enticular sand lenses. Well analysis and locations of springs indicated that multiple ground-water systems are operating within the study area.A modular three-dimensional, finite-difference flow model (MODFLOW) was used to simulate the multiple water-bearing zones and associated hydrostratigraphy above the mine. The model was used to assess the distribution of head over space both pre- and post-subsidence, using absolute heads and measured values of mine-inflow for model calibration. Longwall retreat was simulated with two model runs, each representing a new face position. Model calibration indicated that spatial head distributions were affected by subsidence.Department of Geology
10
Gosling, Christine, University of Western Sydney, and School of Civic Engineering and Environment. "Co-disposal of rejects from coal and sand mining operations in the Blue Mountains : a feasibility study." THESIS_XXXX_CEE_Gosling_C.xml, 1999. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/824.
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This thesis presents details of investigations into the potential for co-disposal of the two rejects from Clarence Colliery and Kable's Transport Sand Mine. Column experiments were undertaken to simulate field conditions. The experiment consisted of: 1/. creating the required co-disposal arrangement and structure in containers 2/. infiltrating water through each container and measuring the rates of infiltration and overflow 3/. measuring the chemical properties of the leachate water. Geotechnical tests of co-disposal pile stability were undertaken using a specially constructed shear box. Results of this study suggest the co-disposal of course coal washery reject from Clarence Colliery with clay tailings from Kable's Transport Sand Mine is a feasible option for managing the generation of acetic drainage. It is recommended that field trials comprise layers of coal reject and clay tailings in a 9:1 ratio. Layering the coal reject with clay tailings creates a semi-permeable barrier which acts to restrict water percolation through the reject as well as reacting with the leachate to increase the leachate pH and adsorb metalsMaster of Engineering (Hons)
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Haffert, Laura, and n/a. "Metalloid mobility at historic mine and industrial processing sites in the South Island of New Zealand." University of Otago. Department of Geology, 2009. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20090921.144328.
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Rocks of the South Island of New Zealand are locally enriched in metalloids, namely arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and boron (B). Elevated levels of As and Sb can be found in sulphide minerals mostly in association with mesothermal gold deposits, whereas B enrichment occurs in marine influenced coal deposits. The mobility of these metalloids is important because they can be toxic at relatively low levels (e.g. for humans >0.01 mg/L of As). Their mobilisation occurs naturally from background weathering of the bedrock. However, mining and processing of coal and gold deposits, New Zealand's most economically important commodities, can significantly increase metalloid mobility. In particular, historic mines and associated industrial sites are known to generate elevated metalloid levels because of the lack of site remediation upon closure. This work defines and quantifies geological, mining, post-mining and regional processes with respect to metalloid, especially As, mobility.
At the studied historic gold mines, the Blackwater and Bullendale mines, Sb levels in mineralised rocks were generally negligible (<14 ppm) compared to As (up to 10,000 ppm). Thus, Sb concentrations in solids and in water were too low to yield any meaningful information on Sb mobility. In contrast, dissolved As concentrations downstream from mine sites were found to be very high (up to 59 mg/L) (background = 10⁻� mg/L). In addition, very high As concentrations were found in residues (up to 40 wt%) and site substrate (up to 30 wt%) at the Blackwater processing sites (background < 0.05 wt%). Here, roasting of the gold ore converted the orginal As mineral, arsenopyrite, into the mineral arsenolite (As[III] trioxide polymorph) and volatilised the sulphur. The resultant sulphur-defficient chemical system is driven by arsenolite dissolution and differs significantly from mine sites where arsenopyrite is the main As source.
Arsenolite is significantly more soluble than arsenopyrite. In the surficial environment, arsenolite dissolution is limited by kinetics only, which are slow enough to preserve exposed arsenolite over decades in a temperate, wet climate. This process results in surface waters with up to ca. 50 mg/L dissolved As. In reducing conditions, dissolved As concentrations are also controlled by the solubility of arsenolite producing As concentrations up to 330 mg/L.
Field based cathodic stripping voltammetry showed that the As[III]/As[V] redox couple, in particular the oxidation of As[III], has a major control on system pH and Eh. Site acidification is mainly caused by the oxidation of As[III], resulting in a close link between As[V] concentrations and pH. Similarly, a strong correlation between calculated (Nernstian) and measured (electrode) Eh was found in the surface environment, suggesting that the overall Eh of the system is, indeed, defined by the As[III]/As[V] redox couple.
Once the metalloid is mobilised from its original source, its mobility is controlled by at least one of the following attenuation processes: (a) precipitation of secondary metalloid minerals, (b) co-precipitation with - or adsorption to - iron oxyhydroxide (HFO), or (c) dilution with background waters. The precipitation of secondary minerals is most favoured in the case of As due to the relatively low solubility of iron arsenates, especially at low pH (~0.1 mg/L). Observations suggest that scorodite can be the precursor phase to more stable iron arsenates, such as kankite, zykaite, bukovskyite or pharmacosiderite and their stability is mainly controlled by pH, sulphur concentrations and moisture prevalence. Empirical evidence indicates that the sulphur-containing minerals zykaite and bukovskyite have a similar pH dependence to scorodite with solubilities slightly lower than scorodite and kankite. If dissolved As concentrations decline, iron arsenates potentially become unstable. Their dissolution maintains a pH between 2.5 and 3.5. This acidification process is pivotal with respect to As mobility, especially in the absence of other acidification processes, because iron arsenates are several orders of magnitude more soluble in circum-neutral pH regimes (~100 mg/L). From this, it becomes apparent that external pH modifications, for example as part of a remediation scheme, can significantly increase iron arsenate solubility and resultant As mobility. In contrast to As, the precipitation of secondary Sb and B minerals is limited by their high solubilities, which are several orders of magnitude higher than for iron arsenates. Thus, secondary Sb and B minerals are restricted to evaporative waters, from which they can easily re-mobilised during rain events.
Metalloid adsorption to HFO is mainly controlled or limited by the extent of HFO formation, which in turn is governed by the availability of Fe and prevailing Eh-pH conditions. Thus, mineralisation styles and associated geochemical gradients, in particular pyrite abundance, can control the amount of HFO and consequent metalloid attenuation, and these can vary even within the same goldfleld. Furthermore, it was found that there is a mineralogical gradation between ferrihydrite with varying amounts of adsorbed As, amorphous iron arsenates and crystalline iron arsenates, suggesting that the maturity of mine waste is an important factor in As mineralogy.
Once dissolved metalloids enter the hydrosphere, dilution is the main control on metalloid attenuation, which is especially pronounced at the inflow of tributaries. Dilution is, therefore, closely related to the size and frequency of these tributaries, which in turn are controlled by the regional topography and climate. Dilution is a considerably less effective attenuation mechanism and anomalous metalloid concentrations from mining related sites can persist for over 10 km downstream.
The complex and often inter-dependent controls on metalloid mobility mean that management decisions should carefully consider the specific site geochemistry to minimize economic, health and environmental risks that can not be afforded.
On a regional scale, background metalloid flux determines the downstream impact of an anomalous metalloid source upstream. For example, the Bullendale mine is located in a mountainous region, where rapidly eroding slopes expose fresh rock and limit the extent of soil cover and chemical weathering. Consequently, the background As flux is relatively low and As point sources, such as the Bullendale mine, present a significant contribution to the downstream As flux. In contrast, the bedrock at the Blackwater mine has undergone deep chemical weathering, resulting in an increased background mobilisation of As. Thus, the Prohibition mill site discharge, for example, contributes only about 10% to the downstream As flux. This information is relevant to site management decisions because the amount of natural background metalloid mobilisation determines whether site remediation will influence downstream metalloid chemistry on a regional scale.
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Barone, Jessica Lynn. "Petrological and geochemical analysis of coal mine spoil to determine the source of magnesium-rich groundwater, Star Fire Mine, Eastern Kentucky." Virtual Press, 2000. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1189406.
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The Star Fire Coal Mine is a large strip mining operation (10,000 acre permit) that produces mine spoil consisting of sandstones, shales, siltstones, and underclays of the Pennsylvanian Breathitt Formation. Chemical analysis of groundwater from the saturated mine spoil show unusually high magnesium concentrations, with magnesium constituting between 27 and 47 percent of the major cations. Excess magnesium in water is detrimental to plant metabolism, and its content in groundwater may limit its use for irrigation and other uses during a post-mining land use plan. Petrological methods (thin section point count analysis and x-ray diffraction) and geochemical methods (electron microprobe analysis and water extraction experiments) were performed to determine the source of magnesium in sandstone and shale samples of the Breathitt Formation. Based on mineral percents and concentrations of magnesium found in samples used for waterrock interaction samples, magnesium-rich siderite was found as the primary contributor of magnesium to the groundwater.Department of Geology
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Kuchapski, Kathryn A. "Effects of selenium and other surface coal mine influences on fish and invertebrates in Canadian Rockies streams." Thesis, Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences, c2013, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/3362.
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Physical and chemical influences downstream of surface coal mines, including
selenium (Se) release, water quality shifts, and habitat alterations can affect aquatic
organisms. To evaluate these influences at the community level of organization, fish and
macroinvertebrates were studied in mine-affected and reference streams. Se can be toxic
to aquatic organisms and was measured in lotic food chains (water, biofilm,
macroinvertebrates and juvenile salmonids). Invertebrate Se was significantly related to
Se in juvenile fish muscle (westslope cutthroat, bull, rainbow and brook trout) and Se
concentrations exceeded proposed individual-level reproductive effects thresholds in
some rainbow and cutthroat trout. Community-level effects were only detected in
rainbow trout where species specific biomass was negatively related to muscle Se
concentration in stream reaches. Macroinvertebrate assemblages varied along a mineinfluence
gradient defined by Se, alkalinity, substrate embeddedness and interstitial
material size. Ephemeroptera were the most sensitive to mining effects and potential
mechanisms influencing community composition included Se and ion toxicity and habitat
degradation. This project highlights the need to study multiple organisms at different
levels of ecological organization in order to understand and manage diverse mining
impacts.xi, 108 leaves : col. maps ; 29 cm
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Mukasa-Mugerwa, Thomas Tendo. "The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the biotransformation of coal and application in dump rehabilitation." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004059.
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Fundamental processes underpinning the biotransformation of coal by fungal biocatalysts have been intensively investigated, however, limited large-scale industrial applications using such systems have been reported. The un-anticipated sporadic growth of Cynodon dactylon on the surface of un-rehabilitated discard coal dumps has been noted and this was found to be coupled with the breakdown of coal into a humic soil-like material in the top 1.5 metres of the dumps. Extensive fungal growth was observed to be associated with the Cynodon dactylon root system and examination of plant roots indicated the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. Analysis of the Cynodon dactylon plant roots around which coal biotransformation was occurring confirmed the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation with the species Glomus clarum, Paraglomus occultum, Gigaspora gigantea and Glomus mosseae identified to be associated with the plants. Further molecular characterisation of non-mycorrhizal rhizospheric fungi showed the presence of fungal species with coal-degrading capabilities that most likely played a role in the coal biotransformation observed. The discard coal dump environment was simulated in pot and column studies and coal biotransformation was reproduced, with this process enhanced by the addition of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal rhizospheric fungal inocula to the environment. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species in the inoculum were re-isolated from the simulated environment fulfilling a number of Koch’s postulates and indicating a causal role in the biotransformation of coal. An inversion of conventional mycorrhizal colonisation was demonstrated in this system with reduction in extraradicular presence and an increase in intracellular colonisation compared to soil controls. A descriptive model was formulated suggesting a two-part fungal system involving organic carbon and nutrient exchange between the plant, mycorrhizal fungi and non-mycorrhizal coal-degrading rhizospheric fungi ultimately resulting in the biotransformation of coal. The biotransformation observed was comparable to reports of “rock-eating fungi”. Results suggest that the biological degradation of coal in situ with the production of a soil-like substrate could provide a feasible method of discard coal dump rehabilitation as well as provide a humic-rich substrate that can be utilised in further industrial applications.
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Nengovhela, Nkhangweleni Ryneth. "Kinetics of the chemical and biological iron (II) oxydation." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/30337.
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Du, Plessis Pieter Wynand. "Process design for the up-scale zeolite synthesis from South African coal fly ash." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/859.
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Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Chemical Engineering In the FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
2014In South Africa only 5% of the coal fly ash produced annually by power stations finds use. Due to the high quantities of Si and Al in the coal fly ash researchers have explored the opportunity to use the fly ash as a feedstock in zeolite synthesis. Two principal methods have been successfully employed on a micro scale namely the 2-step method and fusion assisted method. However, in order to scale-up these processes some fundamental process design changes are required. Fly ash contains various elements including highly toxic elements such as As, Pb and Hg. The fate of these elements during the synthesis processes is not known. Both these processes generate large quantities of liquid supernatant waste. Disposal of these wastes would be expensive and environmentally harmful, thus making these processes industrially unfeasible. The well known fusion assisted process, contains an energy intensive fusion step operating at 550 C. Construction and operation of a furnace to implement fusion would be too expensive on an industrial scale. The 2-step method has a time consuming pre-hydrothermal treatment step (aging step). In order to improve the feasibility of the 2-step process the processing time of the aging step needs to be reduced. In order to breach the scale gap between micro and pilot plant scale a principal reactor design has been suggested. However, to date, no consideration has been given to the safety and operational reliability of this design. A HAZOP study is required to prevent costly incidents from occurring during the operation of this reactor. The aim of this study formed part of the overall initiative to scale-up the synthesis of zeolites to pilot and ultimately do at industrial scale. The aim of this study specifically was to perform some principal process design activities in order to prepare these processes for scale-up. The objectives were to perform material balances on the two principals synthesis approaches in order to determine the distributional fate of elements. Secondly, to make critical process design changes and develop protocols whereby the supernatant waste resulting from these processes can be minimised. Thirdly, to replace the fusion step (used in the fusion assisted process) and the aging step (used in the 2-step process) with a short high intensity sonochemical treatment step. Lastly, to perform a HAZOP study on the principal bench scale reactor design, and make design changes based on the outcome of the study. Material balances illustrated that most of the elements originating from the coal fly ash (Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Ti, Ba, Ce, Co, Cu, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y and Zn) do not leach out into solution during either of the two synthesis approaches. This was due to the CaO content in the ash retarding the mobility of these elements. This meant that during the 2-step process these elements reported to the overall zeolite product but did not form part of the zeolite crystal structure. On the other hand, during the fusion assisted process these elements reported to the solid residue waste. The yield efficiency of the fusion assisted process was found to be poor with only 19.6% of the Si and 21.6% Al reporting to the zeolite A product. The 2-step process on the other hand incorporated 72.2% of the Si and 81.5% Al into the zeolite product. However, the 2-step process produced a mixed phase zeolite product while the fusion assisted process produced a pure phase zeolite A product. Therefore there is a trade-off between yield efficiency and product purity. It was found that the liquid supernatant waste produced during both the synthesis processes contained toxic elements such as As, Pb, Hg, Al and Nb. This highlighted the importance to minimise the liquid supernatant waste generated. The waste minimisation studies illustrated that the liquid supernatant waste can be recycled while still producing highly crystalline zeolite products, in both the synthesis approaches. During the 2-step process the supernatant waste was recycled as a source of NaOH. By recycling the waste it was found that 40% of the supernatant could be recycled. However, by making a minor process design change a protocol was developed whereby 100% of the supernatant waste could be recycled. Also, by recycling the liquid waste, zeolite analcime became the dominant phase due to the accumulation of Si in the waste. In the fusion assisted process, protocols were developed whereby the liquid supernatant waste was recycled as a source of water. It was found that 100% of the supernatant could be recycled without compromising the relative crystallinity and purity of the zeolite A product. Both the fusion step (used in the fusion assisted approach) and the 48 hr aging step (used in the 2-step process) could be replaced with 10 min of sonochemical treatment. It was found in both cases that the introduction of ultrasound, during the pre-hydrothermal stage, increased the rate of crystal formation during the hydrothermal treatment step. It was also found that by replacing the high temperature fusion step, in the fusion assisted process, the required hydrothermal treatment temperature could be reduced to 90 C. By introducing sonochemical treatment in these two synthesis approaches their synthesis time and energy demands could be reduced successfully. A HAZOP study on the principal bench scale reactor design enabled design changes to be made preventing future loss during operation. A final optimised reactor design was proposed based on the outcome of the HAZOP study. This study effectively prepared both zeolite synthesis approaches for up-scale operation. Scale-up of this process will reduce disposal of coal fly ash offering relief to the financial and environmental strain caused to the country.
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Flack, Paul E. 1960. "A method for establishing base-line soil loss rates on surface mine sites." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276985.
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Surface mining operations require a comparison of post-mining erosion rates with pre-mining soil loss to ascertain if remedial measures are needed. In this study the Universal Soil-Loss Equation (USLE) was modified to reflect conditions of western rangelands to develop a procedure for estimating pre-mining soil loss rates. The modification used back-calculation for the C-Factor and an adjusted R-Factor based on storm size. Soil loss simulation based on stochastic precipitation patterns is appropriate to the site--the La Plata mine area in northern New Mexico--and increases the flexibility of the USLE as a soil loss predictor for western rangelands.
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De, Jager A. J. (Albertus Johannes). "Generic model for mine closure." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49679.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.During the last five years, successful mine closure has become one of Iscor Coal Business primary strategic focus areas. Three Iscor Coalmines are currently in different stages of closure, i.e. North Field, Hlobane and Dumacol and the demand on management time spent on this issue is increasing. The changing legal environment, especially issues concerning rehabilitation and mine closure, demands that every company must take full responsibility for any detrimental effect that their operations may have on the environment. This study concerns itself with establishing a generic procedure for mine closure. The interface with all stakeholders, external and internal, is considered. The primary focus areas are determined and the most important issues within each area are discussed in such a way that operational managers and strategists could use it as base knowledge for future closures. Applying the model to an actual closure process, i.e. the closure of Durnacol Coalmine, tested the validity of the model and it was verified that the process could be used as a base for future reference.
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Hendricks, Nicolette Rebecca. "The application of high capacity ion exchange absorbent material, synthesized from fly ash and acid mine drainage, for the removal of heavy and trace metals from secondary co-disposed process waters." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
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The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the application of low cost high capacity inorganic ion exchange material, synthesized form collected fly ash and acid mine drainage solid residues, for the decontamination of secondary co-disposal process waters, with emphasis on investigating the processes governing the solid/solution interface.
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Harding, Andrew W. "Environmental aspects of coal combustion." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.360331.
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Ojo, O. "Aspects of slope stability in opencast coal mining." Thesis, University of Leeds, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.377864.
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Platt, Lucy Teresa. "Assessing the cumulative environmental impact from surface mining operations." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.269712.
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Bose, Arun Chand. "Pulverized coal combustion: Fuel nitrogen mechanisms in the rich post-flame." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184635.
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Chemical kinetic mechanisms governing the fate of coal nitrogen in the fuel-rich stage of a pulverized-coal staged combustion process were investigated. Emphasis was on determination of the effects of coal rank, temperature and stoichiometric ratios on the speciation and rates of destruction of nitrogenous species and correlation of coal data by a unif1ed mechanism. The relative importance of homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms during post-flame interconversion reactions of the fuel nitrogen pool was quantified. Experiments with doped propane gas and a high- and low-grade coals, burned under a variety of conditions in a 2 Kg/h downflow combustor, yielded timeresolved profiles of temperature, major (H₂, CO, CO₂, O₂ and N₂), nitrogenous (NO, HeN and NH₃) and hydrocarbon (CH₄ and C₂H₂) species. These profiles allowed global mechanisms describing the speciation and destruction of fuel nitrogen species to be explored, using predictive models of increasing levels of sophistication. Fuel nitrogen speciation varied significantly from coal to coal and depended on stoichiometric ratio and temperature, which were varied independently. A general correlation describing the destruction rate of NO was derived from data. This rate, which was first-order in both NO and NH₃, was generally valid for all coals and all conditions examined. Fuel nitrogen interconversion reactions, especially destruction of NO and HeN, was predominantly homogeneous, but no single elementary reaction was controlling. Temperature quench down the combustor is the origin of OH equilibrium overshoot. Expressions for estimating the OH equilibrium overshoot as a function of the axial temperature decay along the combustor were derived both empirically and kinetically from fundamental considerations using data from doped propane gas runs. These expressions, together with available literature values of gas phase rate coefficients, could adequately describe the post-flame NO and HeN profiles of coal and gas runs. HeN profiles in the far postflame zone of the coal flames are strongly influenced by the slow release of nitrogen from the coal residue. This devolatilization plays a critical role in supplying the HeN that drives the multistep process converting fuel N into molecular nitrogen.
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Moore, Sara. "An Investigation of How Surface Coal Mining Affects Water Quality." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2010. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/5.
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Surface coal mining has become the ideal method for extracting coal from the Appalachia Mountains. However, surface coal mining generates large amounts of waste which may decrease the water quality in central Appalachia. This research is an attempt to determine whether surface coal mining negatively impacts water quality. This research consists of a literature review in addition to an analysis of data obtained through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. This data was analyzed at three separate locations along the Clinch River, VA to determine trends and cycles in pH, temperature, total hardness, and chloride, sulfate and metal concentrations. After analysis of data, it was concluded surface mining did not negatively impact water quality at these three locations. In addition, more research must be done to make a more accurate, concise conclusion between water quality and surface mining.
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Cardoso, Diaz Andrea. "Socio-environmental liabilities of coal mining in Colombia: a political ecology approach to the global coal chain." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/400701.
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La expansión de la minería de carbón en la región Caribe de Colombia no sólo crea problemas ambientales y de salud a nivel local, sino que también es una cuestión de preocupación global. Colombia, con casi 85 millones de toneladas exportadas, contribuye considerablemente a las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero cuando se quema el carbón exportado en las centrales eléctricas de carbón (CEC) en los países importadores, como los Países Bajos y Turquía. Esto es cada vez más relevante ya que los compromisos de la COP21en París implican que cuatro-quintas partes de los recursos de carbono (provenientes del carbón, petróleo y gas) deben permanecer en el suelo.
Esta tesis utiliza los enfoques de economía ecológica y ecología política para analizar la cadena de suministro de carbón desde su extracción en las minas de carbón a cielo abierto en Cesar y La Guajira hasta el consumo final en CEC en Holanda y Turquía. También emplea el enfoque de pasivos socio-ambientales como una mejora con respecto al marco conceptual estándar de externalidades, ya que permite una incorporación explícita de responsabilidades por daños no compensados a lo largo de la cadena del carbón.
La cadena de carbón se analiza en profundidad a través de diferentes capas (mercado, proceso físico, pasivos socio-ambientales, actores sociales y su pluralidad de lenguajes de valoración) y diferentes escalas (local, nacional y global).
Con el fin de identificar los pasivos socio-ambientales de la cadena del carbón y los conflictos ecológicos distributivos, se realizaron 84 entrevistas en Colombia, Holanda y Turquía. Se utilizaron diferentes métodos de valoración económica para estimar el valor de los pasivos socio-ambientales y se utilizaron metodologías de análisis de discurso para analizar la pluralidad de los lenguajes de valoración empleados a lo largo de la cadena de carbón.
Los resultados muestran que los pasivos socio-ambientales de extracción de carbón y su transporte a los puertos para su exportación superan el precio de mercado del carbón. El análisis de los conflictos ecológicos distributivos revela que las geografías del carbón están ancladas en injusticias ambientales y déficits democráticos asociados tanto a la minería del carbón como a las CEC, y tensiones irreconciliables entre la salud pública, las ganancias económicas y el poder político en estos tres países. El análisis de los lenguajes de valoración muestra que en los Países Bajos hay dos puntos de vista principales sobre las importaciones de carbón de Colombia, las posiciones de "Carbón ensangrentado" y "El mejor Carbón". El primero está preocupado por las violaciones de los derechos humanos y el segundo enmarca la cuestión en el contexto de la modernización ecológica. En Turquía, el principal debate es entre el uso de lignito doméstico altamente contaminante o la importación de carbón de mejor calidad (antracita de Colombia). Tanto en los Países Bajos como en Turquía hay diferentes grados de preocupación por el cambio climático y los "combustibles no quemables" que parecen estar ausentes en Colombia, donde el debate se centra en los pasivos socio-ambientales locales y nacionales. Esta tesis concluye que el éxito de las acciones de justicia ambiental a lo largo de la cadena del carbón depende del poder político de los actores sociales y de su disposición a renunciar, negociar o imponer sus propios lenguajes de valoración.The expansion of coal mining in the Caribbean region of Colombia not only creates environmental and health problems locally but is also a matter of global concern. Colombia, with almost 85 million tons exported, makes a large contribution to greenhouse gas emissions when the exported coal is burnt in coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in importing countries, such as The Netherlands and Turkey. This is ever more relevant as the commitments from COP21 in Paris imply that four-fifths of carbon resources (from coal, oil, and gas) must remain under the ground. This thesis uses ecological economics and political ecology approaches to analyze the coal supply chain from its extraction in the open-pit coal mines in Cesar and La Guajira (Colombia) to the final consumption in CFPPs in The Netherlands and Turkey. It also employs the socio-environmental liability approach as an improvement over the standard externalities framework, since it allows for an explicit incorporation of responsibilities for uncompensated damages along the coal chain. The coal chain is analyzed in depth through different layers (market, physical, socio-environmental liabilities, social actors and the plurality of valuation languages) and different scales (local, national and global). In order to identify the coal chain socio-environmental liabilities and ecological distribution conflicts, 84 interviews were conducted in Colombia, The Netherlands and Turkey. Different economic valuation methods were used to estimate the value of the socio-environmental liabilities, and discourse analysis methodologies were used to analyze the plurality of valuation languages deployed along the coal chain. Results show that the socio-environmental liabilities of the coal extraction and its transport to export ports exceeds the market price of coal. The analysis of the ecological distribution conflicts reveals that the geographies of coal are anchored in environmental injustices and democratic deficits associated with both coal mining and CFPPs, and irreconcilable tensions between public health, economic gain and the political power in these three countries. The analysis of the valuation languages shows that in The Netherlands there are two main views regarding coal imports from Colombia, respectively the “Blood coal” and “Better coal” positions. The first one is concerned about human rights violations and the second one frames the question in the context of ecological modernization. In Turkey, the main debate is between the use of highly polluting domestic lignite or the import of better quality coal (anthracite from Colombia). Both in The Netherlands and in Turkey there are different degrees of concern about climate change and “unburnable fuels” which appear still to be absent in Colombia where the debate is focused on the local and national socio-environmental liabilities. This thesis concludes that the success of environmental justice actions taken along the coal chain depends on the political power of social actors and their willingness to give up, negotiate or impose their own valuation languages.
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Runser-Turner, Caroline M. "Living with the Legacy of coal: A Study of Appalachian Women's Perceptions of the coal Industry." Ohio : Ohio University, 2005. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1129135599.
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Ditsele, Ofentse. "Application of life cycle assessment to estimate environmental impacts of surface coal mining." Diss., Rolla, Mo. : Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010. http://scholarsmine.mst.edu/thesis/pdf/Ditsele_09007dcc807d4fd7.pdf.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010.Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed July 15, 2010) Includes bibliographical references (p. 136-152).
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Dambo, JÃnio Camilo Jaime. "Social and environmental analysis of coal mining in Moatize / Mozambique - to grant planning." Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2014. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=13154.
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgicoThis research aims to provide socio-environmental diagnosis at Moatize district, from geoecology landscape, as support for the actions of environmental zoning. Located in central part of Mozambique, the Moatize district, has undergone through various human interventions over the years, and as a result of conflicts of land use by the mining, agriculture and livestock activities that are somehow impacting the environment. The problems of land management come from the colonial period, rising to widen into civil war when thousands of families were forced to leave their homes (as victims of the civil war) taking refuge in different places inside and outside the country and recently, the growing demand in the exploitation of mineral resources and the availability of various areas for the practice of mining, brought to surface the difficulties that exist on the part of local structures in space management. This research studied the attributes of geoenvironmental system (geology, geomorphology, climate, water resources, soils, vegetation and fauna) and ways to use and manage the land, to contextualize the research area and establish boundaries for protected areas taking into consideration the interaction between environmental issues and the use of the land. The theoretical-methodological approach was the geosystemic and geo ecologic landscape analysis, bibliographic, cartographic surveys and fieldwork. From this methodology six geoenvironmental units were identified: The Zambezian depression, central plain, plateau. The study was performed with instruments derived from geo and remote sensing as basic support for spatial analysis tool. This study helped to define the environmental zoning proposals, as commitment to preserve the environment and, from there, to intensify discussions on environmental planning and management in different regions of the country and help as an aid to orientation in decision making.
Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo principal realizar diagnÃstico sÃcio-ambiental da mineraÃÃo no distrito de Moatize/MoÃambique, a partir da geoecologia da paisagem, como subsÃdio para as aÃÃes do planejamento e gestÃo ambiental. Localizado no centro de MoÃambique, o distrito de Moatize possui uma abrangÃncia de 8426 Km2, correspondendo à cerca de 8,6 % da superfÃcie total da provÃncia de Tete que à de aproximadamente 98,417 km2. O distrito vem sofrendo diversas intervenÃÃes antrÃpicas ao longo dos anos, e como resultado tÃm presenciado constantemente conflitos de uso da terra por parte das atividades de mineraÃÃo, agricultura e pecuÃria que de alguma forma sÃo impactantes ao meio ambiente. Os problemas de gestÃo territorial vÃm desde o perÃodo colonial, passando a acentuar-se na guerra civil quando milhares de famÃlias foram forÃadas a abandonar as suas residÃncias (passando a serem vÃtimas da guerra civil) refugiando-se em diferentes lugares dentro e fora do PaÃs, e recentemente, à crescente demanda na exploraÃÃo dos recursos minerais e a disponibilizaÃÃo de vÃrias Ãreas para a prÃtica da mineraÃÃo, trouxe a superfÃcie as dificuldades que existem por parte das estruturas locais na gestÃo de espaÃo. Nesta pesquisa, evidenciaram-se os atributos do sistema geoambiental (geologia, geomorfologia, clima, recursos hÃdricos, solos, vegetaÃÃo e fauna) e as formas de uso e ocupaÃÃo da terra, para contextualizar a Ãrea da pesquisa e estabelecer limites para unidades de conservaÃÃo, reconhecendo a interaÃÃo entre as questÃes ambientais e uso e ocupaÃÃo da terra. A abordagem teÃrico-metodolÃgica utilizada foi à anÃlise geossistÃmica com enfoque geoecolÃgico da paisagem, levantamentos bibliogrÃficos, cartogrÃficos e trabalhos de campo. A partir dessa metodologia foram identificados seis unidades geoambientais: A depressÃo Zambeze, planÃcie Central de Moatize, planalto, MaciÃos rochosos, Cone VulcÃnico e Agrupamento serrano de ZÃbuÃ. O estudo foi executado com instrumentos provenientes das geotecnologias, o sensoriamento remoto foi à ferramenta de apoio bÃsico para anÃlise espacial. O presente trabalho permitiu definir propostas ao zoneamento ambiental, como compromisso em preservar e conservar o meio ambiente e que, a partir disso, possa intensificar as discussÃes sobre planejamento e gestÃo ambiental nas diferentes regiÃes do PaÃs e ajude como auxilio para orientaÃÃo na tomada de decisÃo.
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Kirby, Peter Thomas. "Aspects of the employment of children in the British coal-mining industry, 1800-1872." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1995. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.296852.
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Haycocks, Scott Gavin. "Mining and environmental factors in selecting an underground versus a quarry mining system." Thesis, This resource online, 1992. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03302010-020049/.
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Kumar, Arun. "Ground control ramifications and economic impact of retreat mining on room and pillar coal mines." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/49815.
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As the coal reserves at shallow depths become exhausted companies have to develop deeper deposits and increase percentage extraction to maintain production levels. Total extraction for room and pillar mines can only be achieved by pillar extraction. The unsupported roof increases during pillar extraction and hence the cost of ground control also increases. Nevertheless, pillar extraction where possible has many potential advantages such as decreased operating cost, increased utilization of reserves, and extended life of the mine. There are several variables such as depth, mining height, rock strength, mining geometry, roof and floor conditions, and retreat mining methods, which affect pillar extraction cost. Cost components of pillar extraction are classified as direct, indirect, fixed, and subsidence compensation costs. A discounted cash flow pillar extraction cost simulator has been developed and used to compute total pillar extraction cost for a variety of conditions and to explore the possibilities of optimizing ground control and retreat mining techniques to maximize extraction ratio. The computer program computes the safe and optimum pillar dimensions and determines the suitable pillar extraction method for the computed pillar width. Pillar extraction cost components are generated and totalled using the net present value method by the simulator. The total extraction cost simulator evaluates the potential advantages of pillar extraction and tests individual variables for sensitivity to changes in other variables attributable to ground control and pillar extraction techniques. Cost of pillar extraction per ton of coal versus depth is presented in the form of a simple nomogram by the simulator. The simulator can be used to determine the economic feasibility of pillar extraction at a particular depth, geologic and mining environment when the market price of mined coal is known.Ph. D.
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Xongo, Nosipho. "The impact of mining on infrastructure development and poverty reduction in mining communities." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018576.
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There is a growing concern from government, communities, civil society and mining companies on the sustained development of the impact of mining on communities and the benefits of mineral development. Communities are more vocal in expressing their expectations for benefits and on the other hand mines are concerned about profits and maintaining a social licence to operate. This study critically evaluates the impact mining has on socio-economic development in mining communities. The focus area of the study is the West Rand District Municipality in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The ‘impact’ refers to the mine’s contribution to infrastructure development and poverty reduction projects in areas where the mine is operating and sourcing labour from. Forecasts for better performance in the future will be assessed. Issues such as community consultation, identification of projects, development forums, the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and partnerships are addressed. The literature was reviewed from existing national and international research on the topic. The study starts from two assumptions. The first is that minerals are potentially a great resource of wealth for poor countries. The second assumption is that minerals have the potential to benefit the local population through the creation of indirect employment, skills transfer, enhancing the capacity of health and education services, improved infrastructure and small and medium business opportunities. Poverty levels are viewed on a national and international scale. The study reveals problems, with existing approaches, on mine community development. It concludes that the impact of mining on infrastructure development and poverty reduction projects can be huge, but only if a variety of demanding preconditions are met. The study concludes that the reality of mineral led development in mine communities has not lived up to a roaring promise.
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Lesley, Michael Patrick. "The fluxes and fates of arsenic, selenium, and antimony from coal fired power plants to rivers." Thesis, Available online, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004:, 2003. http://etd.gatech.edu/theses/available/etd-04082004-180307/unrestricted/lesley%5fmichael%5fp%5f200312%5fms.pdf.
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Hall, Valerie Gordon. "Aspects of the political and social history of Ashington, a Northumberland coal mining community, 1870-1914." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 1993. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.530758.
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This thesis examines the political and social history of Ashington, a coal mining community in Northumberland, in the years 1870 to 1914. This community was the first in the county to move from the Liberal Party to the Labour Party in the early twentieth century and to reject the conciliatory policies of the late Victorian era in favour of a position of assertiveness and national solidarity in industrial relations. It was also central to persuading the accommodationist county union to adopt a similar stance. This study explores the process by which Ashington made such changes and took the lead in the county. It also analyses the actual outlook which emerged amongst the miners. In addition, this study also links the timing of the change in Ashington and the role which this community took in the county to significant developments which occurred at the local level in the early twentieth century: in the organisation of work; in the nature of community life; in the structure and character of the population and in the respective roles of the company and workers in the social realm. It is clear that these changes, along with broader developments in the nation as a whole, created a milieu which was favourable to the adoption of new policies. Though the study of only one community, this analysis illuminates the behaviour of other workers. It reveals the number of factors which can influence their outlook and it shows the complex interaction between events at the local and the national level. It also sheds light on the confusing picture of political change in the years before the First World War and upon an industrial group which played a very important part in workers' politics. In addition, it reveals the close links between change in the work sphere, in the social arena, both at the national and the local level, and in the outlook of workers.
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Sonnenberg, Rob. "Development of aquatic communities in high-altitude mine pit lake systems of west-central Alberta." Thesis, Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Geography, 2011, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/3106.
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Reclamation on the Cardinal River and Gregg River coal mines includes the construction of mine pit lakes connected to stream environments. Key physical, chemical and biological parameters of these “truck and shovel” lakes and their streams were investigated, and hypotheses regarding ecosystems and populations were tested. Findings include:
Sphinx Lake and Pit Lake CD exhibit meromictic (partial-mixing) tendencies, but
still function in a similar fashion to shallower, natural sub-alpine lakes.
Elevated selenium concentrations as high as 16 ug/g (dry weight) were recorded
in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs taken from gravid Sphinx Lake and
Pit Lake CD fish. Potential detrimental effects associated with the
bioaccumulation of selenium on fish reproduction were not observed.
Stream water temperatures downstream of Sphinx Lake and Pit Lake CD were
significantly warmer than in inlet streams and streams without pit lakes.
Streambed concretions caused by calcite precipitation were documented and
found to affect portions of the upper Gregg River basin. Remediation of this
concretion is important for sustainability of trout populations.
Aquatic communities including fish, invertebrates, zooplankton and aquatic plants
are present in these pit lake systems. Athabasca Rainbow trout populations are
self-propagating (spawning at the outlets) with higher densities downstream than
there were prior to lake reclamation.
The development of sub-alpine mine-pit lakes connected to the stream environment
appears to be an appropriate and beneficial reclamation technique in this area.xvi, 224 leaves : col. ill., map ; 28 cm
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Matheis, Michael Roy. "Mining Booms and Busts: New Evidence on the Consequences of Mining in the U.S." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/556593.
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The extraction of natural resources can lead to higher incomes and standards of living for local areas, but resource exploitation, a lack of broad economic development, and an excess amount of environmental pollution can come with this activity. This dissertation analyzes the short and long run economic, public health, and demographic consequences of economic development via natural resources. It expands upon the current non-renewable resource extraction, "resource curse," and local community health literatures by using county data for the entire U.S. spanning over a century, capturing both short and long run impacts over various time periods, on net-migration, mortality, natality, local economic activity, and environmental impacts. What drove coal production in the U.S. during the twentieth century? How effective were the operators at predicting and responding to changes in price? Did coal mining industries provide broad economic benefits to local communities in non-mining sectors? Did the impacts differ over time? Has natural resource extraction activity caused mortality in the area to increase? To answer these questions I collected, compiled, and digitized a long run panel database of county level mining activity, mortality, natality, and pollution spanning the entire U.S. The dissertation identifies the short and long run net effects of natural resource extraction activity with time-varying measures, and an IV approach that isolates changes in local mining activity independent of local conditions and outcomes. The dissertation shows that coal producers responded to variation in prices, and were aware and responded to past price behavior. Chapter 3 shows increased levels of coal production had positive net impacts on county population and manufacturing employment over an initial ten year span, then became negative over the subsequent decade. This provides evidence that the existence of a "resource curse" on local manufacturing is a long run phenomena. Chapter 4 shows that extraction activity increased infant and total mortality, had no impact on contemporaneous total cancer mortality, and may be driven by areas where coal mining was historically prevalent. Past and present mining activity is strongly related to local pollution, supporting the idea that increasing local environmental pollution increases mortality.
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Madalane, Thembi. "The obligation to rehabilitate mining areas : post mining activities." Thesis, University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/905.
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Thesis (LLM) -- University of Limpopo, 2012The study focuses on rehabilitation, since absence of proper rehabilitation process result in indelible damage to the environment. South Africa, like many other countries, is faced with many environmental problems caused by mining. These problems are particularly caused by, inter alia, abandoned mining areas without rehabilitation, inadequate environmental impact assessment after closure, inadequate financial provision for rehabilitation, and lack of monitoring and aftercare system after post mine closure. The study found that many Companies ignore laws governing prospecting, extraction and rehabilitation. The main purpose of this research is to investigate and recommend guidelines in the rehabilitation process so as to instil respect for the environment. The study therefore recommended strict legislation relating to environmental protection against mining.
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Kleski, Kurt W. "GIS Uses for Modeling Subsurface Conditions in Ohio Coal Mines." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1511877505215923.
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Steinberg, Rebecca M. "Predicting Post-Mining Hydrologic Effects of Underground Coal Mines in Ohio throughMultivariate Statistical Analyses and GIS Tool Building." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1555429886192267.
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Salyer, Melanie. "An evaluation of the economic and environmental impacts of coal mining Flat Gap, Pound, Wise County, Virginia, as case study : a thesis presented to the Department of Geology and Geography in candidacy for the degree of Master of Science /." Diss., Maryville, Mo. : Northwest Missouri State University, 2006. http://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/theses/SalyerMelanie/index.htm.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Northwest Missouri State University, 2006.The full text of the thesis is included in the pdf file. Title from title screen of full text.pdf file (viewed on January 25, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.
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Alden, Matthew G. "Remote sensing techniques for monitoring coal surface mining and reclamation in the Power River Basin." Ohio : Ohio University, 2009. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1257279388.
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Cohen, Daniel, University of Western Sydney, of Science Technology and Environment College, and School of Engineering and Industrial Design. "Best practice mine water management at a coal mining operation in the Blue Mountains." THESIS_CSTE_EID_Cohen_D.xml, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/430.
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This study covers the following aspects of mine water management at the Clarence Colliery, located at the headwaters of the Wollangambe River, N.S.W. The Wollangambe River flows through the World Heritage listed areas of the Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks. 1. Quantification of the impact of discharge of treated mine water on the Wollangambe River, through analysis of sediment metal concentrations. 2. Investigation of the possible sources and causes of acid mine drainage within the mine. 3. Review of the current treatment process employed at the mine, as well as a review of other possible treatment options for avoidance or treatment of acid mine drainage. 4. Recommendation of a strategy for improving the process of mine water management at the colliery. The study reveals problems discovered from the investigation and describes the findings and recommendations.Master of Engineering (Hons.)
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Rezaee, Mohammad. "SUSTAINABLE DISPOSAL OF COAL PROCESSING WASTE STREAMS." UKnowledge, 2015. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/mng_etds/26.
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Modern coal preparation facilities incorporate a wide array of solid-solid and solid-liquid separation processes for rejecting mineral matter to meet market specifications. The coarse mineral matter is typically placed into engineered refuse piles whereas the fine refuse is either stored in impoundments or co-disposed with the coarse refuse. The discharge water from the refuse material represents an environmental concern due to the potential release of trace elements, and the subsequent elevation of total dissolved solids and conductivity. The research findings reported in this dissertation addresses sustainable coal processing waste disposal through using strategies aimed at minimizing the environmental impacts. To provide an accurate and inexpensive method to assess the potential environmental effects of a given waste material, a conductivity screening-level test was modified to incorporate the impact of particle surface area. The test was used on various waste streams as well as the particle size and density fractions of each waste stream to identify environmentally sensitive components that can be separated from the bulk and isolated to prevent negative environmental impacts. The results were subsequently evaluated for long term mobility of trace elements under different disposal scenarios: (i) static leaching tests designed to simulate the quiescent conditions in a stable impoundment, and (ii) a dynamic test to simulate waste materials exposed to the atmosphere in variable wet/dry storage conditions. The results indicated that liberating, separating and isolating the highest density fractions (>2.68 SG) which represents less than 5% of the coal refuse materials results in significant abatement of total dissolved solids and conductivity. Required modifications of the coal processing plants were suggested to segregate and subsequently isolate the environmentally sensitive fractions from the remaining refuse material.
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Konstantinou, Eleni. "An experimental study on the impact of temperature, gasifying agents composition and pressure in the conversion of coal chars to combustible gas products in the context of Underground Coal Gasification." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2016. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/98615/.
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The key controlling factor in the effective energy conversion of coal to combustible gases during the UCG process is the behaviour of the pyrolysed char in the reduction zone of the UCG cavity, which has not been published in available academic literature. This study investigates the impact of the operating parameters during the reduction zone of UCG using a bespoke high pressure high temperature rig which was developed as part of this research work. This rig, operating at temperatures of up to 900 oC and at pressures up to 5.0 MPa, simulates the UCG process including each UCG zone individually for a broad range of underground conditions to a depth of 500 m. Carbon dioxide and steam were used as the primary reductants with char derived from dry steam coal and anthracite sample. Carbon dioxide and steam were injected at a variety of pressures and temperatures, plus at a range of relative H2O/CO2 proportions. The composition of the resulting product gas of both coals was measured and subsequently used to calculate carbon conversion (X), carbon conversion of combustible gases ( ), cold gas efficiency (CGE) and low heating value (LHV) of the product gas. Optimal operating conditions were determined for the dry steam coal and anthracite that produced the best gas composition both at atmospheric and elevated pressure and are unique for each UCG system. A shrinking core model was employed to describe the behaviour of the pyrolised char to determine the activation energy and pre-exponential factor at atmospheric pressure for both coals. The evolution of the volatile matter of both coals and its contribution to the overall UCG performance was also determined. An optimum H2O/CO2 ratio was determined for both coals which enhanced the gasification rate of both coal chars up to the ratio of 2:1, above this ratio the effect saturated for both coals. It was shown that pressure increases the reduction-gasification process of the chars which suggests that there is an optimum operating pressure which produces a peak in carbon conversion, CGE and LHV for the product gas over the conditions tested that differs for each coal. Therefore UCG projects aiming at reaching higher pressures will not achieve an increase in the output, unless there are some new effects occurring above 4.0 MPa. Pressure enhances the gas solid reactions and almost doubles the max carbon conversion ( of combustible gases achieved at elevated pressure compared to that at atmospheric pressure. A shrinking core model was modified to take into account the effect of total pressure to the gasification rate of dry steam coal at 900 oC and pressures ranging from 0.7 to 1.65 MPa. Reaction constants for various pressures at 900 oC were determined for both coal chars. Analysis of data shown that typical UCG operations on low rank coals provides a combustible product gas that relies heavily on releasing the volatile matter from the coal and does not depend on the carbon conversion of char to gas which justifies the high CGE and LHV of the product gas found in the field trials. It was found that carbon conversion X is not significantly affected by the type of coal and that the carbon converted during UCG is between approximately 45% for high rank coals up to 55% for low rank coals. Experimental results were used to calculate the output, size and UCG model of a potential power plant which produced realistic solutions and proves that high rank coals can be suitable for UCG projects. Anthracite can produce almost the same amount of combustible gases as the dry steam coal operating under specific conditions but with a lower CGE and LHV which suggests that anthracite may be found to be more suitable for producing hydrocarbons with UCG than energy.
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Leung, Kwun-lun, and 梁冠倫. "Ecological risk analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, black carbon and heavy metals on soils and plants from coal factories inJiyuan City, China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B45460516.
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Mainganye, Dakalo. "Synthesis of zeolites from South African coal fly ash: investigation of scale-up conditions." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/915.
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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the degree
Magister Technologiae: Chemical Engineering
In the FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
At the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2012The generation of electricity from coal in South Africa results in millions of tons of fly ash being produced each year. Less than 10 % of the fly ash generated is being used constructively and the remaining unused ash is currently inducing disposal and environmental problems. Intensive research on the utilisation of fly ash has been conducted either to reduce the cost of disposal or to minimise its impact on the environment. It has been shown that South African fly ash can be used as a feedstock for zeolite synthesis due to its compositional dominance of aluminosilicate and silicate phases. Most of the studies conducted on zeolite synthesis using South African fly ash are performed on small laboratory scale. Therefore, production of zeolites on an industrial/pilot plant scale would, in addition to producing a valuable product, help abate the pollution caused by the disposal of fly ash in the country. This research focuses on the investigation of the scale-up opportunity of zeolite synthesis from South African fly ashes with the view of understanding the effects of some reactor and operational parameters on the quality of the zeolite produced. Two types of zeolites (zeolite Na-P1 and zeolite A) were synthesised via two different routes in this study: (1) a two stage hydrothermal synthesis method (zeolite Na-P1) and (2) alkaline fusion prior to hydrothermal synthesis (zeolite A). The synthesis variables evaluated in this study were; the effect of impeller design and agitation rates during the aging step (zeolite Na-P1) using three different impellers (anchor, 4-flat-blade and Archimedes screw impeller) at three agitation speeds (150, 200 and 300 rpm), the effect of fly ash composition and solvents (water sources) on the phase purity of both zeolite Na-P1 and zeolite A, and the effect of the hydrothermal reaction time during the synthesis of zeolite Na-P1 using low amorphous phase fly ash i.e. aging time (12-48 hours) and hydrothermal treatment time (12-48 hours). The raw materials (fly ashes from Arnot, Hendrina, Tutuka, Lethabo and Matla power stations) and the synthesised zeolite product were characterised chemically, mineralogically and morphologically by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Other characterisation techniques used in the study were 1) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to provide structural information and also monitor the evolution of the zeolite crystals during synthesis and 2) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission (ICP-AES) and mass spectrometry for multi-elemental analysis of the synthesis solution and the solvents used in this study. The experimental results demonstrated that the phase purity of zeolite Na-P1 was strongly affected by agitation and the type of impeller used during the aging step of the synthesis process. A high crystalline zeolite Na-P1 was obtained with a 4-flat-blade impeller at a low agitation rate of 200 rpm. Although a pure phase of zeolite Na-P1 was obtained at low agitation rates, the variation in the mineralogy of the fly ash was found to affect the quality of the zeolite produced significantly. The results suggested that each batch of fly ash would require a separate optimisation process of the synthesis conditions. Therefore, there is a need to develop a database of the synthesis conditions for zeolite Na-P1 based on the fly ash composition. As a consequence, the scale-up synthesis of zeolite Na-P1 would require step-by-step optimisation of the synthesis conditions, since this zeolite was sensitive to the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio, agitation and the mineralogy of the fly ash. On the other hand, zeolite A synthesis had several advantages over zeolite Na-P1. The results suggested that a pure phase of zeolite A can be produced at very low reaction temperature (i.e. below 100 °C, compared to 140 °C for zeolite Na-P1), shorter reaction times (i.e. less than 8 hours compared to 4 days for zeolite Na-P1), with complete dissolution of fly ash phases and more importantly less sensitive to the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of the raw materials. The zeolite A synthesis process was found to be more robust and as a result, it would be less rigorous to scale-up despite the energy requirements for fusion. This study showed for the first time that different impeller designs and agitation during the aging step can have a profound impact on the quality of the zeolite produced. Therefore, it is not only the hydrothermal synthesis conditions and the molar regime but also the dissolution kinetics of the feedstock that influence the outcome of the zeolite synthesis process. This study has also shown for the first time that a pure phase of zeolite A can be synthesised from various sources of South African fly ash containing different mineralogical and chemical compositions via the alkali fusion method under the same synthesis conditions. Therefore, the effective zeolitisation of fly ash on a large scale would assist to mitigate the depletion of resources and environmental problems caused by the disposal of fly ash.
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Yan, He Leo, and 嚴鶴. "Revitalization of abandoned coal washing site." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/196519.
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Alden, Matthew G. "Remote Sensing Techniques for Monitoring Coal Surface Mining and Reclamation in the Powder River Basin." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1257279388.
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De, Wet Theunis Jacobus. "The Effect of a tax on coal in South Africa a CGE analysis /." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2003. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-06302004-143319.
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Mengwe, Moses Seargent. "Towards social impact assessment of copper-nickel mining in Botswana." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1443.
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This research study is more of an initiative towards Social Impact Assessment of copper-nickel mining in Botswana. The specific objectives of the study were centred on the assessment of the social impacts of copper-nickel mining in Botswana from the initial mining stage of exploration, surveying and mine site development to mine closure. The study was carried out under the broad hypotheses that mining influences population movement that impact on areas of mining; mining activities have both economic benefits and deleterious social impacts on the local communities found in the areas where mining is taking place; and mine closure has far reaching socio-economic, investment and developmental implications over and above the obvious interests of project owners. To achieve the broad aim as summarised above, the research study used a multi-disciplinary methodology and approach that required several kinds of expertise and sources of information. Hence it used both primary and secondary sources centred on interactive informative interviews, site visits and observations, questionnaires, census data records, mining companies’ publications, published textbooks and journal articles. The research study comprised of three different mines operated by three different mining companies in three varied socio-cultural and ethnic regions of Botswana. First was a detailed Social Impact Assessment of the initial phase of exploration, surveying and mine site development represented by Mowana mine project operated by African Copper in the rural areas of Dugwi and Mosetse. This case study yielded results showing that the social impacts of mining in the area are diverse and extensive. The findings suggest that the impacts relate not only to the possible economic benefits of foreign exchange, employment, the optimal use of available mineral resources and the possible development of Dugwi and Mosetse villages, but extends to the deleterious social impacts. The results also indicated that the social impacts have just begun in the two communities. Hence they point towards a possible disruption within the socio-cultural system of the local people if serious mitigation measures are not put in place; thus suggesting that the early stages of exploration and mine site development results in the most conflict between the mine and the local people. Second was a comprehensive Social Impact Assessment of Tati-Nickel Phoenix mining project in the peri-urban areas of Matshelagabedi and Matsiloje areas representing the mining stage of mine production and expansion. The results from this case study suggest that during vi mine production and expansion, many people were relocated. However, the overriding impression gained from the case study was Tati-Nickel Mining Company’s elaborate corporate policies that suggested good corporate governance and best practices that promote sustainable development. A notable milestone on good corporate governance and best practice that the other two case studies (mining company) could benchmark on is Tati-Nickel’s corporate social responsibility programme that has been designed to ensure that the communities within a fifty kilometre mine radius benefit from the mine. The results from the case study also distinguished the mining stage of production and expansion from the other two because it is associated with the deep entrenchment of the social impacts into the communities near to mining areas. Third was a detailed Social Impact Assessment on Bamangwato Concession Limited mine in the industrial town of Selebi-Phikwe. The case study represented the stage of mine closure. Through the findings of this case study, it became apparent that the economic dependence of Selebi-Phikwe on mining has seen the town developing into a mining town, increasing its vulnerability at mine closure. The results from the case study further suggest that mine closure will degrade the socio-economic sector of the town with ever far reaching socio-economic implications as many people lose their gainful employment, hence suggesting that a possible complete mine closure will be the most traumatic phase leading to major social conflict within the area. Thus the results suggest that at mine closure, the deleterious social impacts will overspill to other areas in Botswana with disastrous effects for the economy of the country. The results yielded through this study established in clear and passionate language that copper-nickel mining in Botswana influences population movements that lead to positive and negative impacts on the communities found in mining areas. Another major finding of the study is that copper-nickel mining activities have both economic benefits and deleterious social impacts on the local communities, hence the recommendation that the copper-nickel mining companies should embrace the concept of sustainable mining for sustainable development to avoid most of the negative impacts of their operations on the local communities.