Research Projects

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Current and upcoming INAP projects are:

1. Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide (GARD Guide)
   
   See the GARD Guide web page for complete project details.

2. Diavik Test Pile Research
   
   Prediction techniques for the behaviour of sulphide containing waste rock dumps could be significantly improved with large-scale waste rock testing. The high costs involved with such testing prompted INAP members to commission the design of a Scale-up study.
   Based on this design, a project is being developed at the Diavik Mine in Northern Canada. A suite of acid drainage prediction tests will be carried out followed by the construction of a fully instrumented test pile of waste rock. This will enable researchers to better understand what actually happens inside the waste rock pile and how this compares to various prediction methods. The project is being jointly funded by INAP, additional contributions from INAP member companies, the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) project in Canada, and the Canadian National Science and Environment Research Council (NSERC). The project is expected to be initiated in August-September, 2004.
   
   
3. Designing Effective Store-release Covers for the Long-term Containment of Mine Waste
   
   This 3 year project is designed to address one of the major information gaps related to models used for store and release covers: the lack of readily available data on the transpiration characteristics of plants. The water uptake processes of different vegetation communities, which are being (or could be) used on store and release covers in Australia – or other parts of the world- will be quantified and modelled. The Australian Centre for Mining Environmental Research (ACMER) will be leading the project with the University of Western Australia and the University of Queensland. Other sponsors are the Commonwealth Government through the ARC Linkage Program, MERIWA, and individual mine sites.  INAP Members, log in to view the latest report on this project!
   
   
4. Workbook on the Application of Geo-chemical Models to Acid Drainage
   
   This workbook is being developed as part of an ADTI Metal Mining Sector series to provide state-of-the-art information on environmentally sound mine waste management designed for federal and state agencies. A literature survey of existing geo-chemical models for acid drainage systems will be compiled into a guide including activity coefficients and speciation theory, geo-chemical codes, as well as applications and case histories. Kirk Nordstrom will be undertaking the project under ADTI management.
   
   
5. Workbook on Pit Lake Characterization, Modeling, and Remediation Approaches
   
   This workbook is being developed as part of an ADTI Metal Mining Sector series to provide state-of-the-art information on environmentally sound mine waste management designed for federal and state agencies. The workbook will aim to compile all of the facets of pit lakes into a manageable format. The document is meant to be a resource on published research pertinent to a range of pit lake circumstances. Jim Jonas from CDM will be compiling the workbook under ADTI management.

Completed Research Projects include (Click title for more information):

1. Evaluation of the Long Term Performance of Dry Covers
2. Waste Rock Dump Characterisation
3. Treatment of Sulfate in Mine Effluents
4. Rum Jungle Waste Rock Cover
5. Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films
6. Co-Mixed Tailings Waste Rock and Slag

More information, including project reports and presentations, can be made available by contacting the Technical Manager, Terrence Chatwin