Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study

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dc.contributor.advisorBroadhurst, Jennifer Leeen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorPetersen, Jochenen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSimunika, Nathan Nen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-05T03:49:36Z
dc.date.available2014-11-05T03:49:36Z
dc.date.issued2013en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe mining and beneficiation of coal and hard rock ores generates large volumes of sulphidic waste that may oxidise in the presence of oxygen and result in the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD). In order to effectively manage the long term effects of ARD, there is a need to reliably quantify the associated impacts and how these impacts evolve with time. Traditional laboratory-scale tests only provide a partial picture of ARD generation, and their extrapolation to full-scale deposits is highly uncertain and controversial. This has prompted the development of mathematical models which take into account the governing chemical reaction and physical transport mechanisms. Whilst the accurate and reliable quantification of the time-related ARD profiles requires rigorous mechanistic modeling of both the (bio) chemical reaction and physical transport mechanisms under non-ideal flow conditions, advanced models are complex and only suitable for site-specific studies and operational decision-making contexts. However, in the early stage screening of waste for potential environmental impacts, simple geochemical mass transport models such as PHREEQC can be used. PHREEQC V.2 has capabilities to simulate a wide range of processes that include equilibrium controlled reactions, kinetically controlled reactions and 1-D advective-dispersion transport, and has been used in a wide range of geochemical applications. However, despite its capabilities, little has been published on its applications to ARD prediction. This study focused on the development and application of a PHREEQC based predictive modeling tool, suitable for the early or screening evaluation of the potential long-term ARD risks associated with sulphidic waste deposits.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationSimunika, N. N. (2013). <i>Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Chemical Engineering. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9128en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationSimunika, Nathan N. <i>"Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Chemical Engineering, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9128en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationSimunika, N. 2013. Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.risTY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Simunika, Nathan N AB - The mining and beneficiation of coal and hard rock ores generates large volumes of sulphidic waste that may oxidise in the presence of oxygen and result in the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD). In order to effectively manage the long term effects of ARD, there is a need to reliably quantify the associated impacts and how these impacts evolve with time. Traditional laboratory-scale tests only provide a partial picture of ARD generation, and their extrapolation to full-scale deposits is highly uncertain and controversial. This has prompted the development of mathematical models which take into account the governing chemical reaction and physical transport mechanisms. Whilst the accurate and reliable quantification of the time-related ARD profiles requires rigorous mechanistic modeling of both the (bio) chemical reaction and physical transport mechanisms under non-ideal flow conditions, advanced models are complex and only suitable for site-specific studies and operational decision-making contexts. However, in the early stage screening of waste for potential environmental impacts, simple geochemical mass transport models such as PHREEQC can be used. PHREEQC V.2 has capabilities to simulate a wide range of processes that include equilibrium controlled reactions, kinetically controlled reactions and 1-D advective-dispersion transport, and has been used in a wide range of geochemical applications. However, despite its capabilities, little has been published on its applications to ARD prediction. This study focused on the development and application of a PHREEQC based predictive modeling tool, suitable for the early or screening evaluation of the potential long-term ARD risks associated with sulphidic waste deposits. DA - 2013 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2013 T1 - Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study TI - Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9128 ER -en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/9128
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationSimunika NN. Predicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case study. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Chemical Engineering, 2013 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9128en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentCentre for Bioprocess Engineering Researchen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectBioprocess Engineering Research
dc.titlePredicting the time related generation of acid rock drainage from mine waste: a copper case studyen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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