Energía y Medio Ambiente.Metrología química. Innovacion tecnológica. Fundación Chile

Environmental Technological Solutions for Closure of Mining Operations

Objective
The project aims to carry out pilot applications for four innovative environmental technologies for soil and water remediation, as well as the evaluation of environmental risks.
Description
Fundación Chile is performing the study at the request of a local mining company, and it includes the preparation of a geophysical survey for the detection of an eventual leak of contaminants into the underground water generated by a tailing dam (or eliminate its presence), the definition of the subsoil’s stratigraphy and an estimate of the depth of the foundation. Three technologies fostered by Fundación Chile for the treatment of mining wastes will also be implemented at the pilot level. These are Wetland, for treating clear water from tailing dams, VGT mainly used to stabilize material from tailing dams, preventing water and wind erosion, and trials for the treatment of permeable reactive barriers for decontaminating aquifers.
Expected Results
To determine the cost effectiveness of the implemented technologies and to define their scale-up process.
Alliances
Fundación Chile, Bioplanta (Germany), Center for Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR Australia), Veticon Consulting (Brisbane, Australia) and ETI (Canada).