AbstractsEngineering

Co-disposal of rejects from coal and sand mining operations in the Blue Mountains : a feasibility study

by Christine Gosling




Institution: University of Western Sydney
Department: School of Civic Engineering and Environment
Degree: Master of Engineering (Hons)
Year: 1999
Keywords: coal mine waste; factory and trade waste(Australia); environmental aspects of coal mine waste; Clarence Colliery (N.S.W.); Coal mining in Blue Mountains (N.S.W.)
Record ID: 1071558
Full text PDF: http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/824


Abstract

This thesis presents details of investigations into the potential for co-disposal of the two rejects from Clarence Colliery and Kable's Transport Sand Mine. Column experiments were undertaken to simulate field conditions. The experiment consisted of: 1/. creating the required co-disposal arrangement and structure in containers 2/. infiltrating water through each container and measuring the rates of infiltration and overflow 3/. measuring the chemical properties of the leachate water. Geotechnical tests of co-disposal pile stability were undertaken using a specially constructed shear box. Results of this study suggest the co-disposal of course coal washery reject from Clarence Colliery with clay tailings from Kable's Transport Sand Mine is a feasible option for managing the generation of acetic drainage. It is recommended that field trials comprise layers of coal reject and clay tailings in a 9:1 ratio. Layering the coal reject with clay tailings creates a semi-permeable barrier which acts to restrict water percolation through the reject as well as reacting with the leachate to increase the leachate pH and adsorb metals Master of Engineering (Hons)