A Review of Potential Improvements

to
Mine Rock Stockpile Construction Methods

O’Kane, M.1, Taylor, J.2, Robertson, J. 1, Pape, S. 2, Tremblay, G.3, Kelley, B.3
1: Okane Consultants, 2: Earth Systems, 3: INAP
BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4-5, 2019
Essence of Project Proposal to INAP

“… Essence of the proposed project is to determine,

through strategic MRS construction methodologies,
whether there is a mine-life-cycle
cost benefit to reducing risk
associated with MRS
geochemical stability,
by changing MRS
construction methods,
for a minimal incremental
cost, during life-of-mine …”

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
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Session Discussion Themes

• Project Timeline
• Project Scope (within 9 tasks)
• Opportunities

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Session Discussion Themes

• Project Timeline
• Project Scope (within 9 tasks)
1. Framework for Communicating Risk
2. ML-ARD…
Why Focus on Mine Rock Stockpiles?
3. Conceptualization / Evaluation of:
 Conventional MRS Performance
 Alternative MRS Construction
Approaches
4. Communicating Opportunity using
Risk-Based Approach Supported by…
 Literature Review and Case Studies
 Semi-Quantitative Assessment
thermal / gas / water, and acidity
generation modelling
O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods
BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop • Opportunities 4
December 4, 2019
Project Timeline(s)

• May 2018 Discussion

 Four (4) phases discussed
• December 2018 Proposal
 Phase 1:
Review and Summary of
Methodologies / Technologies
• April 2019 draft Report
• November 2019 final Report
 Minor edits / changes
final version to be available
very soon at:
www.inap.com.au
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December 4, 2019
Framework for Communicating Risk

Project used the

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

(FMEA)

as a tool

to inform on, and communicate,

Incremental Benefit…

…Alternative to Alternative

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December 4, 2019
Framework for Communicating Risk

FMEA
Evaluating Question:

“… What conditions could lead to the geochemical failure of

the applied MRS construction method, whereby “failure” refers
to inadequate spatial extent of suboxia conditions and/or
increased treatment requirements?...”

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December 4, 2019
Framework for Communicating Risk

FMEA
Evaluating Timeframe:
Immediate-Term:
 Permitting, planning, design,
construction and
the operation years
(assumed 10 years of rock
placement)
Short-Term:
 Closure Period >10 years
Long-Term:
 Post-Closure Period >100 years

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December 4, 2019
Framework for Communicating Risk

FMEA
Evaluating Timeframe: Consequence Category
Failure Effects and Risk
Mode Pathways Likelihood #1 #2 #3 #4 Ranking

We developed
several (~20) ‘high-level’
Potential Failure Modes

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December 4, 2019 9
Framework for Communicating Risk

FMEA
Evaluating Timeframe: Consequence Category
Failure Effects and Risk
Mode Pathways Likelihood #1 #2 #3 #4 Ranking
I-T FM #1 EP #1-1 High Minor Major Low Low High

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Framework for Communicating Risk

FMEA
Evaluating Timeframe: Consequence Category
Failure Effects and Risk
Mode Pathways Likelihood #1 #2 #3 #4 Ranking
I-T FM #1 EP #1-1 High Minor Major Low Low High

S-T FM #1 EP #1-1 Mod Minor Mod Low Low Mod-High

L-T FM #1 EP #1-1 Low Minor Mod Low Low Medium

Example, for:
Immediate-Term to Short-Term
 Application of an Alternative MRS
Methodology

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December 4, 2019 11
ML/ARD: …Focus on Mine Rock Stockpiles?

• Over the wide range of climate conditions possible…

• Mine Rock Stockpiles (MRSs) typically contribute 75%, or
more, of the acidity load at mine site, and

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
ML/ARD: …Focus on Mine Rock Stockpiles?

• Over the wide range of climate conditions possible…

• Mine Rock Stockpiles (MRSs) typically contribute 75%, or
more, of the acidity load at mine site, and…
• The mining industry typically manage this risk…

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December 4, 2019
Improved MRS Construction Methods

• Six “Improved” Construction Methods Identified for Assessment

 Four (4) “geotechnically-focused” methods
 Two (2) “geochemically-focused” methods
(geochemical engineering)
• Geotechnically-Focused Methods:
1. DecreaseVertical
Manage lift height
2. Engineered layers on top of lifts
and/or
to limit vertical gas transport capacity
Lateral
3. ‘True’ Encapsulation (vertical and lateral)
Gas Transport Capacity
4. Base-up, thin lift, compacted
• Geochemically-focused methods:
1. Oxygen consuming materials
2. Sulfide passivation
Additional (evolving) methods also identified in report
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December 4, 2019
Case Study…
Vertical Gas Management

• Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification

 Bwh – Hot Desert
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Case Study…
Vertical Gas Management
• Open Pit – Highly reactive pyritic / carbonaceous shale

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December 4, 2019
Case Study…
Vertical Gas Management
• Open Pit – Highly reactive pyritic / carbonaceous shale

O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods

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Case Study…
Vertical Gas Management
22 220
Organic
20 200
Carbon and Pyrite Temp ??
18 Oxidation 180
Gaseous Oxygen or Carbon

In Situ Temperature oC)

Dioxide Concentration

16 160
O2
14 140

12 120

10 100

8 80
Convective
6 Temp. Cell 60
& Airflow
4 Limited?? 40
Self
2 CO2 Heating 20
0 0
Mar-2
Nov-10

Apr-27

Oct-12
Aug-17
Sep-15

Dec-7
Jun-22
Jan-5

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study…
Vertical Gas Management
• Open Pit – Highly reactive pyritic / carbonaceous shale

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December 4, 2019
Finer- and Coarser-Textured Mine Rock

• Conceptualization… Finer-Textured Mine Rock

vs.
Coarser-Textured Mine Rock

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study…
Vertical Gas Management
• Open Pit – Highly reactive pyritic / carbonaceous shale

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December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation

• Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification

 Aw/As – Tropical Savannah
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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation

• Mine Rock…
 S% ave. ~ 3%
 ~40% PAF (PAG)
• We should observe…
 “Typical ML-ARD”
…. but we don’t

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December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation
• Why Not…?
 For a ~100m high
x 1km wide x 2km
long MRS…
 After > 10 years
… only one seep with
water quality issues of
any significance
(SO4 only)

MRS

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation
• Why Not…?
 Oxygen availability
during rock
placement
 Acidity generation is
not “defined” by “all
sulfides” oxidizing

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation
• Why Not…?
 Oxygen availability
during rock
placement
 Acidity generation is
not “defined” by “all
sulfides” oxidizing
 ~0.3m clay layer for
truck tire damage
 Limits Vertical
Advective Gas
Transport Capacity

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation
• Why Not…?
 Oxygen availability
during rock
placement
 Acidity generation is
not “defined” by “all
sulfides” oxidizing
 ~0.3m clay layer for
truck tire damage
 Limits Vertical
Advective Gas
Transport Capacity
 Base up, thin lift
 Limits Lateral
Advective Gas
Transport

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation

• A system was created with

Low Vertical Air Flow Capacity
and
• Low Lateral Air Flow Capacity

• Rather than a system with

High Air Flow Capacity
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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Case Study… ‘True’ Encapsulation

• Conceptual / Numerical… Low vs. High Gas Transport Capacity

< 10-6 m3/m2/s

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
 Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS…

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
 Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS…
“Moderately Reactive Mine Rock Material”

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
 Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS…
“Moderately Reactive Mine Rock Material”

Two Approaches
1. “Conventional”… Ridgeline End-Dumping ‘high tip-head’

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
 “Conventional”… Ridgeline End-Dumping ‘high tip-head’
Environmental Imagination
• Advective
Spoil Pile and Diffusive
Oxidation Air Flow
– Convective – Coupling
Air Flow - Couplingof Water,Heat,
of Water, Heat,GasGas

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
 Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS…
“Moderately Reactive Mine Rock Material”

Two Approaches
1. “Conventional”… Ridgeline End-Dumping ‘high tip-head’
2. “Alternative”… Bottom Up End-Dumping ‘short tip-head’

O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS
“Moderately Reactive Mine Rock Material”

1. “Conventional”

2. “Alternative”

O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS

O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Let’s Evaluate a Valley Fill MRS

O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Session Discussion Themes?

• Project Timeline
• Project Scope (within 9 tasks)
1. Framework for Communicating Risk
2. ML-ARD…
Why Focus on Mine Rock Stockpiles?
3. Conceptualization / Evaluation of:
 Conventional MRS Performance
 Alternative MRS Construction
Approaches
4. Communicating Opportunity using
Risk-Based Approach Supported by…
 Literature Review and Case Studies
 Semi-Quantitative Assessment
thermal / gas / water, and acidity
generation modelling
O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods
BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop • Opportunities 38
December 4, 2019
Communicating Risk and Opportunity

• Unexpectedly high amounts of PAF would increase acidity generation (high likelihood)
• Environmental effects are assumed to be minor because we will treat the water
• Requirement of water treatment incurs higher consequence cost
 Long-term: Catastrophic consequence cost due to treatment in perpetuity and
construction of
additional treatment plants (> $100 M)
• High confidence – there are many sites in this situation
• Very high risk rating – a key driver for this project
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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Communicating Risk and Opportunity

• Even if there is more PAF material than expected, the construction methods
result in ~80% of the MRS remaining suboxic (no re-supply of oxygen)
• The likelihood of the failure mode causing ‘the question’ is decreased
• I-T: Potential need for water treatment because suboxia does not occur immediately
• Short- and Long-Term: Suboxia established; the risk of the failure mode can be mitigated
• Low confidence in risk ranking – Generational Change; we require more full-scale data from
Purposeful MRS construction
• Moderate risk rating – decreased from a ‘very high’ risk rating
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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Communicating Risk and Opportunity

• Engineered layers are a key facet to controlling air flow capacity;

site-specific designs are required
• There is a risk of increased costs if the material on site cannot meet performance expectations
• Costs include making the material on site, shipping material to site, or treating water
• Can the other improved MRS construction methods mitigate these risks?

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Communicating Risk and Opportunity

• Adding ‘true’ encapsulation (lateral gas transport), oxygen consuming layers, and sulfide
passivation
 Strategic placement of NAF material around PAF material
 Placement of alkalinity released materials of top of MRS
• If there was insufficient material for the engineered layers, it is unlikely that water treatment
needs would increase
• The risks are further mitigated by the presence of additional construction methods

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Session Discussion Themes?

• Project Timeline
• Project Scope (within 9 tasks)
1. Framework for Communicating Risk
2. ML-ARD…
Why Focus on Mine Rock Stockpiles?
3. Conceptualization / Evaluation of:
 Conventional MRS Performance
 Alternative MRS Construction
Approaches
4. Communicating Opportunity using
Risk-Based Approach Supported by…
 Literature Review and Case Studies
 Semi-Quantitative Assessment
thermal / gas / water, and acidity
generation modelling
O’Kane et al, 2019: Improving MRS Construction Methods
BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop • Opportunities 43
December 4, 2019
Opportunities

• Incorporating Mine-Life-Cycle costing

into Life of Mine Planning
• Evaluating existing MRSs
• Field-Scale Evaluations
 Setting Expectations…
Spatial and Temporal Influences!

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019
Thank You!

Our Rainbow of Hope for

Children and, Habitat for
Humanity Initiative

Ask us for more information on

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 “Alternative”… Bottom Up End-Dumping ‘short tip-head’
Environmental Imagination
Spoil Pile Oxidation – Convective Air Flow - Coupling of Water, Heat, Gas

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BC MEND ML/ARD Annual Workshop
December 4, 2019