Tim Danehy, BioMost, “AMD in the Bolivian Highlands”

•Download as PPTX, PDF•

1 like•718 views

The Bolivian highlands (Altiplano) are host to some of the world’s richest mineral deposits. The Department of Potosí, Bolivia has been intensively mined for nearly five centuries, resulting in extensive environmental degradation and contamination of soil and water resources. In order to demonstrate a way to begin to restore this highly degraded landscape, a demonstration project has been established in a valley south of Cerro Rico (the world’s richest silver deposit). The past and current activities have had to surmount a myriad of challenges from purely technical (e.g., lack of suitable equipment, road failures, work on extreme slopes, rainy season earth instability) to purely non-technical (e.g., general strikes, road blockades, inter-partner communication issues, volunteer workforce management). Despite the difficulties involved, this transfer of technology born in Appalachia to the land of the Inca has been worthwhile both for the residents downstream receiving improved waters as well as regional officials noting a more cost effective and sustainable option with which to address longstanding environmental degradation.

Government & Nonprofit

AMD in the Bolivian Highlands
Tim Danehy in cooperation with:
Dr. Bill Strosnider & Kelsea Palmer, St. Francis University
Margaret Dunn, Buck Neely, Ryan Mahony,
Cliff Denholm, Shaun Bulser & Dan Guy

Overview
Mining In Bolivia Kumurana Valley
Phase I Phase II

Altitude Check
La Paz 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
Diamox (Acetazolamide) is Awesome!

Cerro Rico
• 1532 Pizarro
• 1545 Potosí
• “Envy of Kings”
– “Silver Train”
– ~40,000 tonnes of Ag
• “Mountain that Eats
Men”
– 7-8 million deaths

Results
History / Background Methods
Results Conclusions

Typical Situation
Jayacmayu (mg/L)
As 14
Cd 5
Fe 1100
Mn 85
Ni 0.8
Pb 3.3
Zn 1500
SO4 4000-8000
pH 7.25
534 μs/cm
pH 3.5
4870 μs/cm
pH 3.36
5070 μs/cm

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
pH
0
50
100
150
200
Zn(mg/L)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Pb(mg/L)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
JMUT JM2 JM3 AD2 AD3 TP1 TP2 TP3
As(mg/L)
AMD
Dilution
TailingsDischarges
In-StreamTailings
Dilution
6.5-8.5
5.0
0.015
0.01

Altitude Check
Altiplano 12,500 ft (3,800 m)

‘06 ‘10 ‘12 ‘14 ‘16 ‘18
Data
collection
begun
Concept
shopped
Fundraising
begun
Survey
Final
designs
Phase I
begun
OLCs
completed
Phase II
development
Control
structure
completed
ALD
completed
‘08
Fundraising
begun
Final design

ALDAbandoned mine pH =5.4
ALD
(pH= 7.3, 47 mg/L alkalinity)

Currently
• ALD
– 135 tonnes
– Oxidation pond dug
• Looking for clay
• OLCs
– Quebrada Muyu Khocha
• 880 m
• 1080 tonnes
– Quebrada Khomer Khocha
• 720 m
• 854 tonnes
• Flow control structure complete
• Post-construction water quality monitoring begun

Obstacles Overcome
• Distance from limestone & manpower

Altitude Check
Kumarana Valley 15,000 ft (4,600 m)

Obstacles Overcome
• Road blockades/strikes

Obstacles Overcome
• Government Control/Tolls

Despite of the above… cont’d
• All limestone delivered
– Government then private transport

Despite of the above… cont’d
• Channels installed
– Government, community, gringo-labor, private labor
– Collaborative effort

Despite of the above… cont’d
• ALD completed

Phase II: Passive Treatment
Site Assessment Survey/Design
Materials Construction

Site Assessment
L. St. Catalina
(mg/L)
pH 3.4
Al 8
Cu 1
Fe 5
Mn 4
Pb 0.1
Zn 33

Survey (by EIA)
www.engineersinaction.org

OU Center for Restoration of Ecosystems and Watersheds
SFU Center for Watershed Research & Service
• Norman Rotary Club
• Universidad Autonoma de Tomas Frias
• Empresa Minera Agricola Kumurana
• Engineers in Action
• Centro Investigacion Minero Ambiental
• Japan International Cooperation Agency
• Potosí Rotary Club
• OU Sooners Without Borders
• OU WaTER Center
• Other Rotary Clubs
– Norman CrossTimbers, Norman Sooner, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Houston
Space Center, Ardmore, Altus, Elk City
• Rotary Foundation
• Cardinal Engineering
• Penn State University College of Medicine
• BioMost Inc.
• Stream Restoration Incorporated
Thanks to the Coalition!

Shameless plug
www.engineersinaction.org
Rev. David
Stephenson

Viewers also liked

The rules governing what non-profits are allowed to do with respect to legislation can be confusing and downright frightening with the threat of losing your non-profit status if you do the wrong thing. Anne will cover the basic definitions and rules of advocacy and lobbying. She will highlight some of the main considerations each group should make and encourage discussion on why non-profit groups should take advantage of lobbying.

Anne Daymut, WPCAMR, “Non-Profit Lobbying Rules”

Michael Hewitt, GISP

The presentation will provide updates on the status of PA’s AML/AMD program and the outlook of current and future funding. The topics presented will include: BAMR’s Fund Management Responsibilities and Balances; Re-unification of the AML and AMD programs under BAMR’s umbrella; Present status of the AMD program and plans for moving forward; Updates on new and developing AML/AMD programs including the $90 million AML Economic Enhancement and Reuse Pilot Program, PA’s AML Emergency Program, and the RECLAIM Act (H.R. 4456); and, highlights on a few of the major AML hazard projects BAMR currently has underway.

Brian Bradley, PA DEP, “Pennsylvania AML/AMD Program and Funding Overview”

Michael Hewitt, GISP

The Conemaugh Valley Conservancy is working to update the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin Conservation Plan, published in 1999. It is documenting the status of the 121 recommendations made in the Plan and is quantifying chemical and biological changes in key waterways over the last 16 years due to the numerous restoration projects that transpired as a result of the Plan and watershed initiatives. This presentation will highlight significant findings, trends, and areas of concern.

Melissa Reckner, Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team, “State of the Kiski-Conemaugh R...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Joe Pizarchik is the 10th Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining. An Indiana County, Pennsylvania native, Joseph Pizarchik attended the Pennsylvania State University, first at the Altoona Campus and then graduating from University Park in 1979. Pizarchik was one of the authors of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Good Samaritan Act and provided counsel during the development and implementation of the Good Samaritan program. Pizarchik is also credited with helping clear the way for the sale of private mining property to the Families of Flight 93 to enable the construction of the national memorial, a project to which he remains committed.

Joe Pizarchik, OSMRE Director, “Future of AML Funding and Changing Prospects ...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Ancient technology that found its roots in the Catalan Forge in Spain, has seen a revival in recent years to treat acid mine drainage. This technology harnesses the power of hydraulics and hydrology by passively compressing air via the use of falling water, using no moving parts. A group of recently-graduated students from Saint Francis University have done extensive research in attempt to procure sizing guidance and parameters for the installation of this passive technology.

Kevin Kraus, Saint Francis University Environmental Engineering Department, “...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Mike Korb, MikeKorb LLC, “An Anthracite Coal Heritage Area?”

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Increased demand for coal during World War I brought industrial expansion and robust profits for coal operators, while miners were asked to make patriotic wage sacrifices in return for promises of post-war economic prosperity. Soaring inflation exacerbated by a sharply contracting demand for coal in the immediate post-war period culminated in an explosive clash between labor and capital in 1919 over wages, unionism, and the definition of Americanism.

Elizabeth Ricketts Marcus, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, “Profits, Prom...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

The Rock Tunnel Passive Treatment System is located in Somerset County, PA and was one the first of its kind to be constructed in the Stonycreek River watershed. The original system was completed in 1993, however site conditions were a limiting factor to appropriately size the system to the volume of mine water flows. Since 1993 the system has undergone two major alterations to enhance water treatment. The Somerset Conservation District has been involved with this project since its inception and has worked diligently to utilize new technologies at this site. The 2014/15 reconstruction of the Rock Tunnel PTS is an example of how these efforts have allowed move closer to our goal.

Greg Shustrick, Somerset Conservation District, “Rock Tunnel Passive Treatmen...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), in cooperation with the US Geological Survey and BLM, conducted aerial inspections over the past several years, using a small unmanned aerial system (SUAS). This was part of an ongoing project to determine if SUAS may be used effectively, efficiently, and with reasonable cost to assist in OSM’s mandated oversight duties. The products derived from the SUAVs sensors: spatially accurate mosaicked images and a derivative 3D representation of the surface; demonstrated technology that can be used effectively to measure features within active coal mines. With the mosaicked images and 3D model at their fingertips, SMRCA personnel can easily determine if features meet applicable State and Federal laws and regulations or need further investigation. This presentation will provide participants a brief overview of this work, future plans, emerging technology and some of the rules and regulations in use of SUAS.

Luke Monette, OSMRE, “Drones and their use in Environmental Monitoring”

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Patrick McDonnell was most recently the director of policy for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, where he oversaw the agency’s regulation and policy development processes. In addition, Mr. McDonnell ran the State Energy Office and was charged with coordination of renewable energy and energy efficiency issues. Prior to returning to DEP, Mr. McDonnell was executive policy manager for former Commissioner Pamela A. Witmer of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, focusing on electric, natural gas and water issues as well as cybersecurity and the impact of environmental regulation on energy markets. Previously, Mr. McDonnell spent 13 years with DEP in a variety of roles. As deputy secretary for administration, he managed the budget, human resources, information technology and oversaw the facilities management functions of the agency. He also previously served as policy director and as an assistant to the special deputy secretary. He began his career at DEP working in the State Energy Office on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building projects. Mr. McDonnell received his Master’s degree in Political Science from Lehigh University and his Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from DeSales University.

Patrick McDonnell, PA DEP Acting Secretary, “Economics and Environment”

Michael Hewitt, GISP

B hoffnar930 am2015

Michael Hewitt, GISP

In 2011, CVC began using long-term data loggers to monitor pollution events in streams within the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin. As part of the program, CVC collected macro-invertebrate samples from each logger site in the spring and fall of the year to begin assessing biological integrity of the monitored streams and attaining baseline data. Throughout the program, several unknown impacts were recorded using the data loggers and confirmed with macro-invertebrates. In 2014, CVC began to sample fish at logger monitoring locations to complete biological baseline data collection, confirm and diagnose stream pollutants and assess reclamation efforts. The comparison of the logger and biological data is allowing CVC to more accurately diagnose pollutants and pinpoint critical areas for reclamation efforts within the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin, while building a chemical and biological baseline for the Basin.

Eric Null, Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, "Incorporated Data Logger and Biolog...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

The Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW) is a team of specialist who provide FREE organizational and scientific technical assistance to PA-based watershed and conservation organizations. C-SAW is designed to increase your organization’s knowledge and capacity to implement projects that align with your mission. Watershed specific technical assistance, quality control, and mentoring is available. Learn more at http://c-saw.info.

Missy Reckner, Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team, “Building Capacity to Complete Re...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

The complex geologic setting and historical mining of the anthracite mines creates a challenge to calculate the volume of water stored within the underground mines. EPCAMR’s recent mapping effort has reasonably found that almost 9 billion gallons of mine water resides in storage in 10 mines in the Southern Field and approximately 435 billion gallons in all the Northern Field. This associated report attempts to build on previous investigations to locate and quantify large volumes of water existing in underground mine voids, known as Mine Pools, in the Southern and Northern Anthracite Coal Fields of Eastern Pennsylvania. The goal of this project was to produce 3D Modeling of Eastern Pennsylvania Anthracite Mine Pools in Earthvision to Improve Water Quality Restoration and AMD Treatment via Consumptive Use Mitigation Projects in the Susquehanna River Basin. When pairing treatment with the ability to control the amount of water coming out of the mines, large flushes of stormwater that would normally escape untreated could be retained, later treated and released in times of low water or drought conditions.

Robert Hughes and Michael Hewitt, EPCAMR, “3D Modeling of Eastern Pennsylvani...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Preliminary discussions and efforts have begun to reauthorize Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) to continue to provide funding for AML and AMD work across the country. Pennsylvania has been working with the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP) and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) to frame the issues and identify interested partners for the effort. A brief update of the efforts to date of these organizations and committees coupled with a brief presentation of the current state of SMCRA Title IV and the PA AML Program will be conducted followed by a question and answer session.

Eric Cavazza, et al., PA DEP, "Preparing for SMCRA Reauthorization in 2021"

Michael Hewitt, GISP

EPA’s attention to cultural resource management issues during the Elizabeth Mine cleanup resulted in a well-documented site history that fulfilled the desires of the community and the State of Vermont, and in some instances also positively informed aspects of cleanup design and construction. To satisfy the project’s public education requirement, EPA hired Milestone Heritage Consulting to create From Copperas to Cleanup: The History of Vermont’s Elizabeth Copper Mine, a popular history report presenting the story of 150 years of industrial activity and how EPA and its project partners documented and reclaimed its legacy on the landscape. The mine cleanup educational mitigation also includes a series of on-site interpretive panels for a mine history trail. Copies of From Copperas to Cleanup are available from Milestone Heritage Consulting at: www.milestoneheritage.com

Matt Kierstead, Milestone Heritage Consulting, “A Mine is a Terrible Thing to...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Bill Reichert, Schuylkill Headwaters Association, "Preserving the Future of O...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

This study investigates the procedure for removing contaminants from rivers and streams that were left as a result of Acid Mine Drainage. The understanding of the process is used to investigate possible goods and services that may result from the process, and the marketability of the goods and services as potential sources of revenue. Taking into account the potential revenues sources, a business plan is created to describe how an entity in the “industry” of Acid Mine Drainage Recovery would operate. The business plan takes advantage of cost accounting techniques to better compare the costs incurred by the business against the potential revenues gained, resulting in cost-benefit analysis.

Ryan A. McCampbell, Bloomsburg University, "A Cost-Benefit Analysis of AMD Re...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Beverly Braverman, et al., Mountain Watershed Association, "Preserving the Fu...

Michael Hewitt, GISP

assive mine drainage treatment systems are expensive to build. Flows going into the system that are in excess of what the system was designed to handle can overtax the system and lead to premature and devastating failure. A flow distribution box can prevent that failure by controlling the amount of mine drainage directed into the system. Flows going into multiple ponds can also be accurately distributed. Flow adjustments are simple and accurate.

Joseph Schueck, Agri Drain Manufacturers, "Flow Distribution Box"

Michael Hewitt, GISP

Viewers also liked (20)