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Site-specific GBBR technology maturation for water treatment at the Copper Mountain Mine

British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium; University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

Gravel-bed biochemical reactor (GBBR) water treatment technology is rapidly advancing for mining applications in Canada. While the GBBR technology has a technology readiness level (TRL) of 8 for several constituents, the TRL can decrease with site-specific considerations. This presentation details the sitespecific TRL advancement of Maven’s mBio GBBR technology for the Copper Mountain Mine in BC. The COPCs include nitrate, selenium, molybdenum, copper, sulphate, and uranium. The technology maturation plan (TMP) included on-site testing of pilot-scale GBBRs with mFlex units paired with column trials at Maven’s climate-controlled facilities. Multiple conditions and scenarios were tested to inform on potential operational risks and identify appropriate controls and management strategies. The testing program included varying conditions, such as altering flow rates, temperatures, and reagent dosages to assess optimal operational parameters. Reagent dosing was optimized depending on potential future variations of water chemistries and flows. Additional modifications to reagents and amendments were tested to the enhanced treatment of selenium and molybdenum. The findings from this trial confirmed the extent and rates of treatment of the targeted constituents, as well as their final fate and distribution in the GBBR. This GBBR technology is now at a site-specific TRL-7, ready for on-site demonstration and advancement to TRL-8.

Conference Paper

eng

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0447216

Non UBC

Other

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