Assessing bioremediation potential for arsenic released from mine waste rock

Arsenic (As) is a toxic chemical that is widespread in the environment. Mining activities result in As being released from rock in waste products including mine tailings, waste rock and process effluents. AREVA has a proposed mine site that is expected to produce up to 6 million tonnes of waste rock containing elevated As concentrations. This waste rock needs to be stored safely to minimize potentially negative environmental impacts. Current treatment technologies for As treatment have included coagulation/flocculation, oxidation, membrane processes, electrochemical methods, adsorption, phytoremediation and bioremediation. The goal of this research project is to determine the optimum bioremediation method for As found in the water and waste rock.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kerry McPhedran;Won Jae Chang;Brad Schmid

Student:

Partner:

AREVA Resources Canada Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: