Reclamation of kyanite mine tailings with surface reconfiguration
As part of the processing of kyanite from a pyritiferrous quartzite-kyanite one body in Georgia, several tailings ponds were created; the largest of which was 77 acres. The acidic tailings interstitial water (pH <2.7), coupled with the acid producing nature of the tailings, hampered reclamation efforts. A technique which has been recently developed, deals with the configuration of the surface of the tailings ponds into a series of ridges and furrows which creates a surface that provides for the successful establishment of vegetation. The first year of a test plot study, consisting of six plots 50{prime} x 100{prime} each, with various ridge orientations, soil amendments and treatments, demonstrated that using a plow to generate a surface ridge and furrow topography served to divert surface runoff into vertical infiltration. Initially, six inches of straw was incorporated into the top one foot of tailings and lime was applied at rates of 40 to 60 tons/acre. Ridges, approximately 1.5 ft. high and 2.5 ft. in diameter with corresponding sized furrows, were installed by lightweight farm equipment. The function of the reconfiguration was to allow for ponding of rain water within the furrow and the leaching of acidity from the ridges. The ridges and furrows were further amended by 600 lbs. acre of 10-10-10 fertilizer and seeded with an eleven seed mix. Lime and fertilizer have been reapplied during the last two seasons and vegetation has been successfully (>90%) established for three years. The study showed that the surface reconfiguration technique can be used to reclaim an acid producing tailings pond as indicated by: (1) the growth of the planted species, (2) the intrusion of volunteer species, (3) an increase in the pH of the runoff water (pH 5.5--7.5) and (4) a decrease in the surface water discharge due to increased evapotranspiration. These factors are integrated into an extended study.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20023307
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 16th Annual National Meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, Scottsdale, AZ (US), 08/13/1999--08/19/1999; Other Information: PBD: [1999]; Related Information: In: Mining and reclamation for the next millennium. Proceedings of the 16th annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, by Bengson, S.A.; Bland, D.M. [eds.], 745 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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