Open Collections

Abstract

Water and soil are precious natural resources that must be protected as activities such as mining continue to sustain the quality of life we live today. Innovative technologies must be used to control erosion and prevent the pollution of water resources caused by mining and construction activities. Safe and effective polymer enhanced technologies, born in the mining industry in the 1980s, lessen the impact on water quality and can be used anywhere. This leading-edge technology for extreme, remote conditions uses flocculation to settle out and remove heavy metals, sediment and inanimate nutrients. The polyacrylamide (PAM) blends chemically and physically bind with particulates. The ease and simplicity of this technology requires no power requirements, injection pumps, freshwater requirements for dilution and mixtures, stock solutions, or bulky equipment. It is easily used in remote areas of mining sites and areas where water is not captured to be treated in treatment plants. The PAM blends can be transported in small vehicles, installed by one person, and are effective for months with little maintenance required. Polymer enhanced technologies are used for turbidity, metal, inanimate nutrient reduction, water clarification, soil stabilization, erosion control, de-mucking and to protect sensitive areas from sediment and metals escaping into water ways and wetlands. The technology is used on mining sites for applications with road building and haulage roads, waste rock and tailing dams, mine water and stormwater treatment. Projects using polyacrylamide passive treatment technologies will be discussed and illustrated. Studies from Canada and US will be highlighted, showing the effective use of polymer enhanced technologies to reduce sediment, metals and nutrients to meet environmental regulations.