Articles tagged with Mining Engineering
A new study calculates the environmental cost of a ton of mountaintop coal, finding that it pollutes 2,300km of Appalachian streams and loses 193g of carbon sequestration potential. This translates to a staggering 5,000 years for reclaimed mine land to capture equivalent CO2.
Researchers from Monash University have compiled and analyzed worldwide copper resources, finding existing supplies can meet growing demand for a long time. The extensive database provides detailed information on ore grades, allowing for more informed geological exploration and improved industry practices.
Researchers found at least 759 seismic events before the mine collapse and 569 aftershocks, with some evidence of up to 1,022 seismic events and 1,167 aftershocks, indicating a larger collapse area extending to the west end of the mine
Scientists have developed a cheap and quick method to detect mercury contamination in water using a mobile phone. The technique involves placing a special sheet in the water, which changes color in the presence of mercury. Photographing the sheet with a mobile phone can even quantify the concentration of mercury.
Mountaintop mining has significant environmental and social impacts, but a new public ecology approach aims to balance economic needs with ecological protection. The approach involves broad participation, transparency, and compromise among stakeholders, including miners, environmental groups, and government agencies.
Medical humanitarian organizations face a clash of values with the mining industry, posing difficult alliances and challenges to intervene in areas occupied by extractive sectors. The article explores the consequences of environmental pollution, communicable diseases, violence, destitution, and compromised food security.
A new study by Duke University scientists reveals that surface coal mining is severely impacting water quality in southern West Virginia. The research found that just five percent of upstream land conversion can lead to the degradation of up to 22% of streams, with salinity levels and insect biodiversity declining substantially.
A study by McGill University researchers calculates that each kilometer of a deep underground mine could produce 150 kW of heat, enough to warm 5-10 Canadian households. The team develops a general model for predicting geothermal energy potential in other mines.
A $1.25 million research grant is funding a five-year project to develop new methods of assessing rock strength, reducing hazardous working conditions in mining and construction. The goal is to improve ground stability analysis and reduce the thousands of annual deaths caused by accidents.
Researchers have identified a new type of magnetic bacteria, BW-1, in Badwater Basin that can produce both greigite and magnetite. The discovery may lead to novel applications in drug delivery and medical imaging due to its unique properties.
A new study reveals that humans have released 385,000 tons of mercury into the environment over the past 5,000 years, with emissions peaking in the late 1800s and rising again due to increased coal use. The research challenges the notion of declining mercury emissions.
A Duke University study found increased salinity and trace elements in the Upper Mud River due to multiple surface coal mines. The research provides evidence of the cumulative effects of mountaintop mining on a river network.
Geologists are sounding the alarm on metal shortages, citing a surge in demand for metals in consumer products. The inexorable increase in production and usage of metals such as copper, nickel, and neodymium is putting pressure on supply chains.
A study suggests that hydrogen fluoride gas (HF) is the primary form of fluorine released from domestic coal in endemic areas, leading to severe cases of fluorosis. This new understanding may change current knowledge on the pathogenic mechanism of coal burning endemic fluorosis.
A four-year project aims to test CO2 injection methods and enhance coalbed methane recovery. The research is part of a larger DOE effort to develop safe and environmentally secure carbon dioxide storage practices.
A study found nearly 99,000 tons of rare earth elements available in products globally, equivalent to over 10 years of production. This suggests that REE recycling may offset a significant part of virgin extraction, minimizing environmental challenges associated with mining and processing.
A Washington State University study found significantly more birth defects in areas of mountaintop coal mining, with nearly twice the rate of non-mining areas. The research also controlled for socioeconomic and behavioral risks, confirming a link between mountaintop mining and higher birth defect rates.
A recent study by Duke University reveals a six-fold increase in Amazon deforestation in Peru, largely driven by artisanal gold mining fueled by record gold prices. The mining activities have led to widespread mercury pollution, contaminating water and soil, and posing risks to human health and the environment.
A new hyperbaric centrifuge technology has been successfully tested for recovering ultrafine coal from slurry, promising to reduce coal slurry impoundment problems. The technology developed by Virginia Tech's Center for Advanced Separation Technologies can be used to recover all mined coal and clean up existing impoundments.
Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining are causing permanent alterations to Appalachian forests and streams, with devastating effects on diverse habitats and freshwater resources. Current mitigation efforts do not compensate for the losses, and scientists urge a shift towards renewable energy sources to protect the environment.
Researchers at Indiana University have found that the world's largest antimony mine has extremely high levels of antimony in its water, making it a significant source of environmental pollution. The study's lead author notes that antimony is an emergent contaminant and people have not paid enough attention to it.
A group of renowned environmental scientists is urging the US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to suspend new mountaintop mining permits, citing extensive scientific evidence of permanent environmental harm and increased human health risks. The authors argue that mitigation practices are ineffective in reversing damage and recommend a 2...
Researchers are using genomics to study the microbial community and determine how to create conditions for them to thrive, helping to detoxify metal toxins in wastewater. The approach relies on a diverse microbial community that provides essential nutrients to microbes like Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria.
A five-year NIOSH grant will fund a study on the effects of roof falls, bumps, or explosions on underground mine ventilation systems. The project aims to develop a method for remote characterization of ventilation controls using multiple tracer gases.
Researchers have discovered evidence of pre-industrial mercury pollution in the Andes, dating back to 1400 BC, and challenge current thinking on the rise of mining societies. Mercury pollution was initially caused by mine dust from vermillion production, but later increased with Inca control of mines.
A Purdue University archaeologist has uncovered an ancient iron ore mine in South America, showcasing the importance of hematite to ancient Andean civilizations. The discovery provides valuable information on the Nasca people's use of minerals for ceramic paints and other purposes.
Researchers in India suggest that landfill mining can recover recyclable materials, reduce landfill space, and produce compost. The study found that up to half of material dumped at open stabilized dumpsites could be recovered and reused as compost or daily cover material for landfills.
A British Geological Survey project aims to alleviate poverty in Afghanistan by developing the country's mineral resources, particularly copper. The Aynak Copper Deposit, located south of Kabul, holds significant potential with estimated grades of 2.3% copper.
The American Geological Institute publishes Coal and the Environment, a framework for understanding coal's mining and use impacts. The report discusses new clean-coal technologies and regulations to reduce harmful emissions.
Penn State researchers are conducting a project to develop a technique for detecting mine voids using seismic signals. The initiative aims to locate and record voids near existing coal mine tunnels, which could help prevent flooding incidents like the Quecreek disaster.
The study reveals how aluminum floc forms in polluted streams, binding to toxic metals and transporting them downstream, harming fish and other aquatic animals. Understanding the molecular pathways of this process may lead to practical solutions to prevent the reactions.
Erik Westman aims to reduce fatalities, lower construction costs, and improve environmental protection through a practical method for predicting failures in rock masses. He's adapting tomographic imaging technology for field use, enabling engineers to monitor stress redistribution in rock masses.
A study by Cornell University ecologists found that cadmium from abandoned mines is affecting white-tailed ptarmigan birds in Colorado, causing brittle bones and damaged kidneys. The metal is also concentrated in willow plants, which the birds eat, leading to reduced reproductive success.
The National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University is hosting Pittsburgh Robotics Day to celebrate robotics technology in western Pennsylvania. The event features exhibits and demonstrations of various robotic applications, including autonomous farming, bridge construction, and driver monitoring systems.
The Rockwell Engineering Scholars Endowment will help Clemson meet its commitment to increase its number of engineering graduates by 30 percent. The endowment, valued at $1 million, will provide scholarships for students in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.
The National Academy of Engineering has elected 80 engineers and eight foreign associates for their important contributions to engineering theory and practice. The newly elected members include innovators in fields such as algorithms, satellite technology, nuclear fuel bonding, and biotechnology.
Researchers found Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is a more important contributor to mine pollution than previously thought. The study could provide the mining industry with a new predictive technology to estimate acid mine drainage from a given site.