Abstract

HINOJOSA CARRASCO, Octavio; SALAS CASADO, Antonio  and  ZAMORA ECHENIQUE, Gerardo. Restoration of mining places trough the use of SDR effect coverts. Rev. Met. UTO [online]. 2011, n.30, pp. 5-20. ISSN 2078-5593.

Due to the mining and metallurgical activities in Bolivia during the past, big amounts of mining residues have been put down, which are called "environmental passives". These passives contain sulfurs, which genérate acid mine water (DAR), because environmental cares about the final storage of these residues haven't been taken. The acidmine-water contaminates and decreases the pH of the streams. The old industry of minerals concentration "Frankeita" in Oruro is an example. This industry has left flotation waste as mineral residues. This waste has the biggest potential to create acid mine water. Now they're exposed to oxidation without any restoration program or environmental intervention. This article is orientated to study the use of the SDR covert in a pilot level. The chemical, physical and hydrological characterization of the available material in the place was made. The behavior of the SDR covert simulating natural and extreme conditions in Oruro was investigated, and the measurement and control of the most important parameters duringthe monitoring of the SDR covert was made. The results show that the "Frankeita soil", which is used as principal covert, can be used for the environmental remediation when the SDR covert will be used. The capillary barrier principle works perfectly with 80 cm height coverts and with less than 50 cm height coverts, within extremely precipitation conditions.

Keywords : Environmental passives; acid mine water; restoration program; SDR covert.