Find documents by name, keyword, or question across the IEMA Ekati archive.
A handout presenting a framework for applying risk assessments to acid rock drainage (ARD) at mining operations, including hazard identification, probability and consequence evaluation, and case studies of mitigation measures for collection ditches, treatment systems, and waste rock management.
This Master of Science thesis by Karen Patricia Graham investigates the adsorption of phosphorus from wastewater effluent onto kimberlite tailings in BHP's Ekati Diamond Mine's processed kimberlite containment area through controlled laboratory isotherm studies. The research determines that approximately 0.5 kg of dried kimberlite per litre of wastewater effluent is needed at 18°C to reduce phosphorus concentration from 10 mg/L to 0.1 mg/L, with results showing that coagulant and flocculant addition does not affect phosphorus adsorption, and pH and temperature changes do not cause desorption.
This 2001 waste rock storage area seepage and waste rock survey report documents monitoring results from the Ekati Diamond Mine in compliance with Water Licence N7L2-1616, evaluating seepage quality, waste rock geochemistry, thermal conditions, and groundwater characteristics at the Panda/Koala, Misery, and Coarse Kimberlite Reject storage areas.
This 2001 waste rock storage area seepage and waste rock survey report documents monitoring results from the Ekati Diamond Mine, including characterization of seepage quality, geochemical testing of waste rock from Panda, Koala, and Misery pits, thermal monitoring, and groundwater investigation conducted in compliance with Water Licence N7L2-1616. The report presents findings on acid-generating potential, seepage water types, and environmental impacts from multiple waste rock and kimberlite storage areas.
Sable, Pigeon and Beartooth (SPB) Binder 4 for the Ekati Diamond Mine BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. (2008). Includes BHPB amalgamation of SPB Licence with main licence proposal (Eric Denholm, Laura Tyler, Ricus Grimbeek BHPB), Bruce Hanna (DFO), Violet Camsell-Blondin and Ryan Fequet (WLWB) correspondence on the SPB renewal process and notice of receipt of submissions. Geochemistry: biotite schist's failure to generate acidic leachate within 43 weeks not proving long-term drainage chemistry; Beartooth and Pigeon kimberlite Net Potential (NP) determinations based on Sobek methodology incompatible with kimberlite matrix; Beartooth designated Potentially Acid Generating (PAG), Pigeon not PAG (no segregation required). IEMA submissions and waste-rock-storage-area runoff water-quality contingencies.
This preliminary waste rock storage management plan for BHP Billiton's Pigeon Pipe kimberlite mining development describes geochemical testing, thermal and hydrological modeling, and adaptive management strategies to minimize environmental impacts from waste rock disposal, incorporating operational experience from existing Ekati waste rock storage areas.
This preliminary waste rock storage management plan for BHP Billiton's Beartooth Pipe development describes geochemical testing, site characterization, and management strategies for waste rock disposal in the Panda/Koala waste rock storage area. The document concludes that approximately 99% of waste rock (biotite granite) has low reactivity, while small components of biotite schist are potentially acid-generating and will be segregated and encapsulated with non-reactive granite to ensure freezing conditions.
This preliminary waste rock storage management plan for the Sable Pipe at Ekati Diamond Mine addresses geochemical characterization, testing methods, and operational management strategies for granite and kimberlite waste rock disposal. The plan incorporates adaptive management based on Panda Waste Rock Storage Area experience, including permafrost maintenance, toe berm construction, and water quality monitoring to minimize environmental impacts.
This 2001 research report by Neil Burton Reid examines methods to stabilize processed kimberlite tailings at Ekati Diamond Mine through vegetation reclamation, testing various soil amendments (peat, lake sediment, sewage sludge, calcium sources) in both greenhouse and field trials at the Long Lake Containment Facility. Preliminary results show that organic amendments combined with nutrient sources, particularly sewage sludge with peat, significantly improve substrate conditions and plant growth, including ground cover, plant height, and development.
This annual report documents a multi-year reclamation research program conducted by BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. at the Ekati Diamond Mine to evaluate methods for revegetating processed kimberlite tailings in Cell B of the Long Lake Containment Facility. The 2001 report presents second-year results from 2000 studies (soil amendments, revegetation strategies, and grass species trials) and first-year results from 2001 studies (lake sediment soil amendments and grazing effects), demonstrating that plant establishment is feasible with appropriate soil amendments, particularly peat or lake sediment combined with fertilizer and grass seed.
Kinetic geochemical testing progress report on waste rock and kimberlite samples from Sable, Pigeon and Beartooth Pipes at Ekati Diamond Mine, presenting humidity cell and carbonic acid leaching results to evaluate acid-generation potential and metal leaching behavior over approximately 40 test cycles.
Proceedings of the first bi-annual Northern Latitudes Mining Reclamation Workshop held in Whitehorse, Yukon in October 2001, comprising 13 peer-reviewed papers and 24 presentation abstracts addressing mine reclamation, closure, and abandoned mine lands in northern and alpine climates. Topics include revegetation techniques, reclamation methods, residual contaminants, and cost assessment.
A lecture on metal leaching and acid rock drainage prevention, mitigation, and reclamation strategies delivered by Ron Nicholson covering oxidation processes in sulphide minerals, disposal methods (underwater and engineered covers), treatment options, and site-specific considerations for permafrost, arid, and saline environments.
A five-day course outline on metal leaching and acid rock drainage assessment, prediction, and mitigation strategies for mining operations, delivered by North West Community College in August 2001. The course covers material characterization, field assessment, case studies of operating and closed mines in British Columbia, and decision-making frameworks for managing ML/ARD risks at mine sites.
A presentation on metal leaching and acid rock drainage prevention, mitigation, and reclamation delivered by Ron Nicholson, covering monitoring approaches (classical and recent environmental effects monitoring), in-situ tailings and waste rock sampling techniques, pore water geochemistry data from July 2000, and contingency planning strategies for managing unexpected environmental failures at mining operations.
Presentation by Ron Nicholson on metal leaching and acid rock drainage prevention, mitigation, and reclamation, delivered at Northwest Community College in August 2001, introducing methodology for quantifying environmental impacts from sulphide mine waste and establishing priorities for mitigation efforts.
Huckleberry Mines Ltd. (Smithers BC) quarterly report to Wally Bergen, Regional Manager, Ministry of Energy and Mines, July 19 2001. Q2 2001 mill throughput 1,885 tonnes/day. Includes Acid-Base Accounting (ABA) data for tailings and waste rock from Tailings Management Facility (TMF-2 downstream Granodiorite samples, Net-Acid-Generation NAG fines testing), Blast Sample geochemistry (Total Sulfur %, Sulfate %, Sulfide %, AP/NP/NPR/NNP, TIC %), and exposed waste rock pH monitoring June 2001 at East Zone Pit haul road (hornfelsed andesite with pyrite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, gypsum). Reference example for IEMA on ARD reporting.
Komex International provides a comprehensive reclamation liability estimate for BHP Diamonds' Ekati Diamond Mine closure, detailing assumptions and cost models for decommissioning, contaminated site remediation, pit flooding, post-closure monitoring programs, and site restoration activities across multiple operational areas and facilities.
BHP presentation on the 2000 Enhanced Monitoring and Confirmation Plan for the Panda Waste Rock Storage Area at Ekati Diamond Mine, detailing waste rock characterization, seepage chemistry assessment, and hydrological investigations to address regulatory concerns about low pH seepage from mining operations.
This geochemical review by the Minesite Drainage Assessment Group evaluates BHP and SRK's 2000 seepage survey data from the Ekati Diamond Mine, finding that acid rock drainage (ARD) is more extensive and severe than reported—affecting approximately 26-27% of seep analyses rather than only one documented seep—and is migrating through the shallow groundwater system toward Beartooth and Bearclaw Lakes. The report identifies significant gaps in the SRK classification system, contradictions in interpretations, data gaps, and equipment failures, recommending comprehensive individual seep characterization, groundwater monitoring, water treatment, and retention of qualified technical specialists to manage the serious and worsening water-quality problems.