Crustal Imaging and Characterization Team

Development of Mineral Environmental Assessment Techniques

Task Objectives

The objective of this task is to develop an integrated geological, hydrological, geochemical, and ecological methodology for modeling the potential toxicological consequences of particular mineral deposit types (both prior to and as a result of mining) in watersheds of various geologic, ecological, and climatic settings.

Statement of Work

This year,

1. compilation of stream-water chemistry associated with particular lithologies will begin,
2. compilation of dissolved organic carbon data in stream water will begin,
3. identification and evaluation of various hydrologic models and reactive transport models will begin, and
4. evaluation of the Biotic Ligand Model for use in mineralized systems will continue.

Work will continue on ways to estimate volumes of mine wastes, mill tailings and/or other mineral processing byproducts as a function of deposit type, mining method, grade / tonnage, and stripping ratio. This has already been accomplished for porphyry copper deposits. This information is needed to model the potential physical footprint and resulting environmental footprint of a mine site developed on a particular deposit type.

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