ANSTO chemists, physicists, applied mathematicians and computer experts have combined forces to come up with a state-of-the-art modelling tool that can be used to combat acid mine drainage (AMD), a problem that costs the mining industry $1 billion a year globally.
The recently launched computer program known as SULFIDOX is the culmination of over 20 years of research into AMD performed by ANSTO scientists at more than 25 mine sites across four continents.
AMD is a process that is brought about by the oxidation of sulfidic mining wastes and leads to the leaching of acid or toxic metals into the environment.
The process is infamous for its contribution to the destruction of the King and Queen Rivers around Queenstown in Tasmania. If not managed, it can lead to the destruction of fish and other aquatic biota, having serious follow-on implications for ecosystems.
Manager of the Sulfide Solutions Business Unit Bruce McDonald said the technologies allow operators to minimise environmental risk whilst optimising material management and providing significant cost savings.
"SULFIDOX is the latest computational tool being offered by Sulfide Solutions. It allows planners to design and manage waste rock dumps and ore stockpiles," he said. "We can predict what the composition of a material will be in 15-20 years.
Not only is this new system welcome news for the mining industry and environment, it is also another way Australia is receiving knowledge-based revenue by exporting consulting services, instrumentation and our expertise globally," he said.
Dr Paul Brown, Leader of Computational Tools for the Sulfide Solutions Research Project, said the computer program is a world leading state-of-the-art tool for mine management of sulfidic material in waste and some ore processing streams.
"The first question that mine managers need to answer is whether waste rock dumps and ore stockpiles will produce polluted drainage. If the answer is yes, they need to know when it will occur and for how long. SULFIDOX is the most up-to-date tool to provide the answers," he said.
"Sulfide Solutions has the ability to make complex measurements in the field, analyse the physical and chemical processes, measure them in the laboratory and use the results within this highly sophisticated program to obtain information that the mining industry can use to manage their sulfidic wastes more effectively."
Dr Brown said that once the potential for AMD is identified, the use of SULFIDOX will aid in the selection of the best material management option, whether it involves water treatment, covers, or selective handling.
Apart from its use in combating AMD, SULFIDOX can be used to optimise bioheap leaching operations to assist miners to maximise metal recovery.
