Treatment of mine-influenced water using a constructed wetland at Mount Polley Mine

Canadian companies are responsible for nearly half of mining activities worldwide, and mining operations are expanding in Canada. Two critical aspects of mining include treating mine-influenced water and establishing natural ecosystems on previously mined lands. These goals can often be reached simultaneously with constructed wetlands that can reduce elevated parameters from surface water while providing critical habitat for wildlife. My proposal addresses the three major knowledge gaps in mine-influenced water treatment using constructed wetlands. First, I will track mineral processing and wetland treatment efficiency using remote-sensing, a developing technology that could be expanded to monitor mine tailings facilities on a regional scale. Second, I will elucidate the role of micro-eukaryotic communities in mediating treatment of mine influenced water; applying metagenomics technology in collaboration with the Barcode of Life Project. I propose to determine the ability of the constructed wetland as a long-term treatment system; especially considering the advantages of a passive system (no power needed, fewer infrastructure requirements) compared to an active system

Faculty Supervisor:

Lauchlan Fraser

Student:

Partner:

Mount Polley Mining Corporation (Likely, BC)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Mining

University:

Thompson Rivers University

Program: