SHIRE POLY TECHNIC COLLEGE

SURFACE MINING
NTQF Level -2

Learning Guide # 51
Unit of Competence: Conduct Waste and Tailing Dump
Reclaiming operation
Module Title: Conducting Waste and Tailing Dump
Reclaiming operation

LG Code: MIN SMN2M13LO2-LG-51

TTLM Code: MIN SMN2 TTLM 0420v1

LO 2: Operate plant and equipment

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Instruction Sheet Learning Guide # 51

This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following
content coverage and topics –
 Manufacturer's operating manual and operation guidelines
 Understanding mining methods
 Carrying out pre-start, start-up, park-up and shutdown procedures
 Loading, sampling and dispatching specified materials
 Recognizing hazardous and emergency situations
 waste dump management processes
 environmental requirements and constraints related to reclaim operations
 Completing work in accordance with the agreed plan
 Using hand and power tools

This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page. Specifically,
upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –
• Manufacturer's operating manual and operation guidelines
• Understand mining methods
• Carry out pre-start, start-up, park-up and shutdown procedures
• Load, sample and dispatch specified materials
• Recognize hazardous and emergency situations
• waste dump management processes
• environmental requirements and constraints related to reclaim operations
• Complete work in accordance with the agreed plan
• Use hand and power tools
Learning Instructions:
1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.
2. Follow the instructions described below.
3. Read the information written in the “Information Sheets”. Try to understand what are being
discussed. Ask you teacher for assistance if you have hard time understanding them.
4. Accomplish from “Self-check 1 up to Self-check 9.
5. Ask your teacher the key to correction (key answers) or you can request your teacher to correct
your work. (You are to get the key answer only after you finished answering the Self-check).
6. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation from the “Self-check” proceed to “Operation Sheet.
7. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Manufacturer's operating manual and operation guidelines
Information Sheet-1

1.1 Manufacturer's operating manual;

The operations manual is intended to remind employees of how to do their job. The manual is either a
book or folder of printed documents containing the standard operating procedures, a description of the
organizational hierarchy, and contact details for key personnel and emergency procedures.

1.3 Mine waste disposal manual;

Waste rock is hence durably unused extraction products that is generally stored indefinitely in a
landfill site which, for economic reasons associated with transport costs, is located in the immediate
vicinity of the main mining centre. The quantity of mining waste that can be stored at a mining centre
varies considerably and mainly depends on the selectivity of the mining method. As a rule, opencast
pits and quarries generate much more mining waste than an underground mine. The main type of
waste rock is generated by surface (or barren rock) stripping to expose the shallow ore.

Mine and quarrying processes and related waste pathways

Exploration and Assessment
 Exploration - Geophysics
 Exploration - Drilling
 Geology - Analytical and Mineralogical Assessment
 Economic Feasibility Assessment
 Ore body Modeling
 Mine Planning and Metallurgical Test work

Construction
 Mine
 Shaft-sinking & tunnel/stope development (U/G)
 Adit & tunnel/stope development (mountain-top)
 Top soil removal, key-cut, haul road development (Open-Pit)
 Plant
 Site Preparation, Foundations, Construction of buildings
 Procurement and Installation of Equipment
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MINING DEPARTMENT
  Waste and Tailing Disposal
 Site Selection and Preparation
 Construction of Initial Coffer Dam for tailing disposal

Operation
 Mine
 Blast, Load, Haul, Dump
 Transport (hoist, convey, truck, rail), Stockpile
 Safely Store Waste (on site or in-mine)
 Mill
 Crush, Grind (comminution)
 Physical Separation (maybe chemical) (beneficiation)
 Thicken and Filter (dewater)
 Safely Store Tailing

Operation
 Waste Disposal
 Dump
 Contour, Spread top soil
 Hydro-seed and plan for final drainage
 Tailing Disposal
 Plan for Lifts as Tailing Dam builds
 Control Water Levels
 Recover water for recycle
 Revegetate dam walls
Processing –
• Extract values, reject waste
• Conversion of mined ore into usable product
• More expensive/challenging with lower grade ores
• Numerous processing methods

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Fig: component of mine
1.2 Mine plant operation guideline:

The mine design shall be based upon sound geotechnical engineering practices and shall,

 describe the geology of the mine;

 outline the geometry of existing and proposed excavations;

 describe previous occurrences of ground instability;

 describe the mining method including stope sequencing and blasting methods;

 specify the ground support system; and

 Describe measures planned and used to assess potential ground instability such as
instrumentation and computer modeling.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Self-Check -1 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Understanding mining methods
Information Sheet-2

2.1 Mining’s role in Sustainable Development

• Creator of New Wealth
 Jobs, taxes and economic growth
 Foundation for eliminating poverty
 Make a profit -- Shareholder return
 Enhanced standard of living
• Providing Mineral-based Products to Meet Society’s Basic Material and Energy Needs and
Demands
• Building blocks of economic growth Advances in Civilization

• All successful societies have encouraged, and will continue to encourage, mining
• Metallurgical and technological advances have defined advances in civilization
• Mitigation of Society’s Impact on the Environment
• Mineral products make environmental protection technology possible
• Modern mines are designed and built for closure
• Use Recyclable mineral products
• Efficient use of resources – energy, water, land and minerals
Technological advances promote resource conservation and efficiency, and extend mine life

Mining is the first operation for exploitation of mineral

 Two types of mining
 Surface and underground
 Surface mining methods allow
 higher degree of worker safety
 greater flexibility in extraction
 Lower development and maintainace costs
 High productivity

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MINING DEPARTMENT
What determines the type of mining?
 Underground vs. Surface Mining vs. Solution
 Depth of below surface
 Size of the ore body
 Shape of the ore body
 Grade
 Type of Ore

Fig 1: Mining methods

A. Surface Mining
Surface mining is the predominant exploitation procedure worldwide, producing in the United States
about 85% of all minerals, excluding petroleum and natural gas. most of these are mined by open pit
or open cast methods. Two types of methods may be used in surface mining: mechanical extraction
and aqueous extraction.
 Mechanical extraction method:
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MINING DEPARTMENT
The mechanical extraction involves mechanical processes to obtain minerals from the earth. There are
four mechanical extraction methods

1. Open pit- e.g. Base and precious metals

 Used for steeply dipping beds/veins or massive irregular body
 Overburden and waste rocks are removed from the area
 Some crushing overburden or waste rock may be required for handling or bunding
 Produce several times as much waste as underground mines
 The shape is formed by series of benches or terraces
 May reach several thousand feet below the surafce
 Restoration can be very expensive if it involves backfilling
 Overburden and waste rock are often used during operation and closure of mine.
SR is the mass of In open pit mining, mechanical extraction method, a thick deposit is generally
mined in benches or steps, although thin deposits may require only a single bench or face.

Strip ratio applies to an open pit mine,is the mass of waste to be mined to obtain one unit mass of ore.
Strip ratio =waste
Ore

Fig : open pit mine

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 2. Open cast mining is usually employed to exploit a near-surface deposit or one that has a low
stripping ratio. It often necessitates a large capital investment but generally results in high
productivity, low operating cost, and good safety conditions. Open cast mining

 Lateral extraction and hence most suitable for shallow deposits

 A strip of overburden is first removed to expose the underlying deposit
 Deposits are then taken out following which another strip is prepared, with overburden
being placed preceding strip

3) Quarrying, The term quarrying, of course, is very loosely applied to any of the surface mining
operations but it should be confined to a surface mining method to mine out the dimensional stones
such as slate, marble, granite etc. Quarrying is a highly specialized small-scale method, slow and the
costliest of all mining methods. Only square set stopping method is as much expensive as quarrying.

(4) Auger mining. Auger mining is a surface mining technique used to recover additional coal from a
seam located behind a highwall produced either by stripping or open-pit mining.
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MINING DEPARTMENT
Augering is employed to recover coal from the highwall at the pit limit. This method is also
specialized but involves low costs.
 The aqueous extraction methods
Depend on water or another liquid (e.g., dilute sulfuric acid, weak cyanide solution, or ammonium carbonate)
to extract the mineral. The deposits are sometimes located near the surface datum but covered by an aqueous
body such as a lake, tank, river, or even by seawater. Mining of such deposits is also a part of surface mining
practices. These are known as aqueous extraction methods.

The aqueous extraction methods must be provided with the access to water or an aqueous mixture during
mining and processing. They recover the valuable mineral by jetting, slurrying, melting or dissolving.

Placer mining is used to exploit loosely consolidated deposits like common sand and
gravel or gravels containing gold, tin, diamonds, platinum, titanium, or coal. Placer
mining Placer mining is used to mine mineral deposits that are not consolidated
(combined/joined), such as sand, gravel or alluvium in which a valuable heavy mineral
exists freely. It is an ancient method of using water to excavate, transport, concentrate,
and recover heavy minerals from alluvial or placer deposits. Valuable heavy minerals
such as diamonds, native gold, native platinum, and titanium can be found in placer
form.
1. Hydraulicking utilizes a high-pressure stream of water that is directed against the mineral
deposit (normally but not always a placer), undercutting it, and causing its removal by the
erosive actions of the water.
2. Dredging performed from floating vessels, accomplishes the extraction of the minerals
mechanically or hydraulically.
3. Sluicing box:
A sluice box is a channel equipped with a carpet. The gold-bearing material mixed with water flows
over the surface of the sluice box and the gold stays trapped in the carpet.A sluice box allows to
process more material than a pan.A long time ago, the carpet used to be made of animal skin.There are
different designs and sizes of sluice boxes but they all follow the same principles.

It is possible to process:

 Mixtures of mud and sand from secondary deposits (soil, river sediments)

 Quartz ore (primary) that has been milled into a powder using a ball mill

Sluice box types

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 American design Kenyan / Tanzanian design

 Made of metal  Made of wood, or wood and metal

 Carpet is held by a grill  Carpet made of blanket or coffee bags
 No sieve box  Easy to make
 Larger
 Has a sieve to help mix material with water
and to remove stones

How to set the sluice box

The sluice box must be set so that:

 The angle of the sluice box is about 12 to 15 degrees (it can be adjusted to achieve the desired
water flow speed)

 The height of the sieve must be comfortable for the operator to add water and material.

 The sluice box must be placed near a source of water and the source of the gold-bearing
material (pit, or mill if the material comes from a mill)

 The flow of water on the sluice box must be uniform (not on one side)

 The sluice box can be set on wooden legs, or on bags filled with soil, or using the terrain.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Solution mining
Includes both borehole mining, such as the methods used to extract sodium chloride or sulfur, and
leaching, either through drillholes or in dumps or heaps on the surface. Placer and solution mining are
among the most economical of all mining methods but can only be applied to limited categories of
mineral deposits. Solution mining employing surface or in situ techniques is used for deposits of
minerals that can be excavated by dissolution as well as by melting, leaching, or slurring. The two
methods are similar. Surface leaching employs heap or dump leaching of mineral values; copper, gold,
and uranium are the examples. In situ mining uses water to dissolve, melt or slurry the minerals. The
Barren solution is introduced down one set of wells and the loaded solution returns to the surface
through concentric or another set of wells. This mining method is mainly used with sulphur,
evaporate, or water-soluble minerals. In situ leaching utilizes chemical or bacteriological reagents,
usually mixed with water to selectively dissolve the valuable minerals. Drill holes are used to inject
and recover the solution

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Self-Check -2 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Carrying out pre-start, start-up, park-up and shutdown
Information Sheet-3 procedures

3.1 Pre start planning:

Excavation and disposal operations require detailed planning and management. The complexity of the
planning and design stage clearly depends on the scale and nature of the operation.

Fig: Planning for excavation and disposal:

3.2 Dump site Reclamation Process

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Dumpsite Reclamation or Mining is the process of excavating from operating or closed solid waste
landfills, and sorting the unearthed materials for recycling, processing, or for other dispositions
Technically, dumpsite mining employs the method of open cast mining for sorting out the mixed
material from the landfill according to their size by using a screening machine. The oversized
materials are prescreened by another sorting machine which separates the larger objects like tyres and
rocks from cardboards and other smaller unearthed materials.
Top soil Removal:

In mining, overburden refers to all unprofitable material that needs to be excavated to access an ore
deposit, including topsoil and overburden. Overburden refers to the consolidated material underlying
the topsoil and generally overlying the ore body. If overburden is encapsulated between two layers of
ore, it can be referred to as inter burden (parting).Topsoil refers to the layer of unconsolidated material
at the surface that is suitable for sustaining plant growth. Because of the unconsolidated nature of
topsoil, it often requires different excavation techniques. Depending on climate, topography, and
bedrock geology, topsoil can vary from anywhere between centimeters and tens of meters thick.
• After the initial pit outline has been staked out, vegetation should be removed and any surface
Water courses should be diverted away from the site.
As topsoil is generally free digging, scrapers, bulldozers, front-end loaders, and small
Hydraulic excavators are the most common equipment used in topsoil stripping. Bulldozers can
Be used for pushing material onto piles for further excavation by front-end loaders or hydraulic
Excavators.Alternatively, they can support scraper operation by ripping soil or by pushing scrapers
along where they do not have enough traction. Graders are mostly used for precision applications such
as haul road construction Tailings are defined here as the waste materials generated by the
grinding and processing of ores and other materials containing economically re-trievable
minerals. Many processing methods involve grinding of rock and ores, chemical and/or
physical removal of the desired commodity, and transportation of the wastes, often as
slurry, to a tailings, or retention pond. Tailings are defined here as the waste materials
generated by the grind-ing and processing ofores and other materials containing economically
re-Trievable minerals. Many processing methods involve grinding of rock andores, chemical
and/or physical removal of the desired commodity, and transportation of the wastes, often
as slurry, to a tailings

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 3.2.1 Objectives of Dumpsite mining
• Conservation of landfill space.
• Reduction in landfill area.
• Elimination of potential contamination source.
• Rehabilitation of dump sites.
• Energy recovery from recovered wastes.
• Reuse of recovered materials.
• Reduction in waste management costs.
• Redevelopment of landfill sites.

Fig 1: Waste Rock Pile

These key principles and requirements are:

 Consideration of economic, environmental and social impacts of tailings and TSF management
at all stages of the mine life cycle
 Application of risk-management techniques on a site-specific basis to achieve sound outcomes
throughout the life of the mine
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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Early, ongoing and effective stakeholder engagement that results in the community and
government being satisfied with the processes for tailings and TSF management
 Minimisation of the production of tailings/water content and maximisation of their safe re-use
 Management of TSFs are periodically reviewed to meet the leading practice principles and
technology available at that tim
 Tailings facilities are designed to meet strict Australian and International Standards, such as
guidelines published by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams Inc. (ANCOLD),
which has been developed to achieve excellence for all aspects of dam engineering,
management and associated issue
 Tailings and TSF design and management is in accordance with any environment authorisation
or licence issued by the EPA, the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy and the
provisions of the relevant Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR
 All tailings structures are operationally stable, retain their long-term integrity and are able to be
rehabilitated
 Rehabilitation of TSFs is achieved consistently with general standards for rehabilitation as set
out in relevant Department for Energy and Mining publications, and the specific standards for
the site as set out in the relevant PEPR
 Demonstrated capacity and capability of the mine operator to implement the tailings and TSF
management plan at all stages of the mine life cycle
 Effective monitoring and reporting on tailings and TSF management practices

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MINING DEPARTMENT
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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Self-Check -3 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Loading, sampling and dispatching specified materials
Information Sheet-4

Waste disposal operations

Waste disposal operations at the site should be in accordance to a waste disposal plan prepared during the
rehabilitation planning stage. A waste disposal plan should be prepared to provide clear instructions on the
elements related to site operation.
• Size and location of the first and subsequent sequence of areas to be filled with waste after the site has been
rehabilitated, leading ultimately to the completion of the site and its final landform. Each waste emplacement
area will have a unique reference number indicated on a scale drawing of the site
• Method of waste emplacement and soil covering to be used
• Structure, roles and responsibilities of the management and manual staff at the site
• Procedures for record keeping related to incoming vehicles, waste types and estimated quantities
• Procedures for record keeping related to on-site mechanical equipment, other routine maintenance and
accident and defects reporting
• Traffic control at the site
• Fire prevention and smoking rules
• Maintenance and repair water drainage ditches
• Instructions for dealing with prohibited wastes that arrive at the site reception.

Tailing dam;
 The wastes generated by beneficiation milling operations are collectively known as tailings.
 unused or discarded chemicals associated with these beneficiation may remain onsite and need
to be managed during remediation.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
  These could include: mercury at sites that have used amalgamation and chemicals used in
flotation such as copper sulfate, various amines, and sodium cyanide.
 larger proportion of ore mined in most industry sectors ultimately becomes tailings that must
be disposed.
 In the gold industry, for example, only a few gram of gold may be produced for every ton of
dry tailings generated.
 Thus, tailings disposal is a significant portion of the overall waste management practice at
mining and milling operations.

Fig 1:tailing dam

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MINING DEPARTMENT
The problem of equipment selection in a surface mine is complex. Many features, restrictions and
criteria need to be considered (Naoum and Haidar 2000). The model must reflect the important
constraints of the mining operations to a level that is acceptable and used by mining engineers. Martin
consultants (Martin et al. 1982) list the selection considerations for a truck as follows: • Material
characteristics of the mine • Loading equipment • Haul route requirements • Maneuvering space •
Dumping conditions • Capacity • Engine power and altitude limitations • Final drive gear ratios for
mechanical drives • Two axle or three axle configuration • Mechanical or electrical drive system •
Tires size, tread and ply rating

Rock Quality Designation index, or RQD:

RQD only represents the degree of fracturing of the rock mass. It does not account for the strength of
the rock or mechanical and other geometrical properties of the joints. Therefore, RQD partially
reflecting the rock mass quality. RQD - is defined as the percentage of rock cores that have length
equal or greater than 100 mm over the total drill length.
RQD = Σ length core drills ≥10cm X100%
Total length of drill

RQD Rock Mass Quality

< 25 Very poor
25 – 50 Poor
50 – 75 Fair
75 – 90 Good
90 – 100 Excellent

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 fig : core sample

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Rock Quality Designation index, or RQD, was introduced by Don Deere in 1963. It judges rock
quality based solely on measurements of recovered rock core (above left) in 10 foot increments, based
on percent recovery and percentage of the pieces longer than 4 inches.

Self-Check -4 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Name: _________________________ Date: _______________
Short Answer Questions

Recognizing hazardous and emergency situations

Information Sheet-5

Monitoring systems and alarms are acted on or reported

Hazardous and May include:
emergency situations  sinking
 spoil and high wall stabilization
 wet weather operation
 electrical start-up and shutdown
 belt system fires
 electrical fires
 windy and dusty conditions
 working in close proximity to moving equipment and parts

5.1 Environmental impacts of tailing dam construction:

 It can cause river pollution, air pollution and Noise pollution
 It cause loss of land, Loss of archeological and histrorical places, Loss of mineral deposits,
Loss of special geological formations
 It can cause reservoir induced seismicity (earthquake)
 It can cause flooding problems

Geological problems on dam site

 Fissile rocks such as shales, slates and phyllites those, interbedded ashes in a sequence of
basalt lava flows cause the sliding of concrete dams.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
  The highly permeable rock masses can cause excessive seepage beneath a dam may
damage the foundation
 Seepage rates can be lowered by using cut-off beneath the dam which can lengthens the
flow path and reducing the hydraulic gradient
 young igneous rocks with highly permeability via their open joints, pipes, cavities and
contact zone
 weak beds of ash and tuff may occur between the basalt flows that cause problems of
differential settlement or sliding
 Fresh metamorphosed rocks such as quartzite and hornfels and gneiss are suitable dam
foundation
 Joints and shear zones are responsible to permit leakage through foundations and
abutments.
 Foliated regional metamorphic rocks
 Sandstones frequently interbedded with shale
 karstic areas
 Fault zones

Design Considerations:-
For all types of embankments, the standard geotechnical and environmental concerns apply,
including seepage, failure, piping and seismic stability.
The basic design requirements, may be listed as follows:
1. The foundation soils at the embankment site must be competent to support the proposed structure
without the danger of shear failure or excessive movements.
2. The dam, its foundations and abutments, and the reservoir must be relatively impervious to
prevent excessive seepage either through the dam or into the subsoil and bedrock.
3. The structure must have stable upstream and downstream slopes.
4. The design must include adequate drainage features to control the surface within the embankment
and uplift pressures in the downstream foundation soils.
5. The structure must be designed to resist predicted earthquake forces for the region, including the
effects of the probable liquefaction of the stored tailings. Where cycloned tailings are used to a
large extent in construction, compaction efforts and/or special drainage measures must be realized to
guard against liquefaction risks.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 6. In the case of dams, the structure must be designed to handle maximum possible flows, such as
flood events, or higher-than-average surface runoff from the catchment area behind the dam.
Overtopping must be avoided, as it may cause failure of the dam; therefore, the dam must be
constructed with sufficient freeboard to store these flows, or the design must include an appropriate
spillway.
7. Fill materials suitable for construction must be available in adequate quantities.
8. Sufficient instrumentation is required to determine that the structure is performing the functions
for which it was designed. In addition to monitoring water downstream of the dam to protect
against pollution, settlement, pore pressures and seepage measurements should be taken from within
the dam.

Geotechnics – the parameters requiring measurement for the deliberation of impoundment stability
is more apparent, i.e., foundation soil parameters, including strength, compressibility, and
permeability, surface water and groundwater flow patterns of the site, etc.
Flood events – the one in one hundred year flood event is no longer used as a maximum value.
Instead, the probable maximum flood is determined for each site and is applied in design.
Seismic design – studied since the early 1970's, seismicity factors are now incorporated into
design of the embankment using modern methods of analysis.
Site selection - the geology, hydrology and groundwater flow patterns, as well as the historical
stability (previous ground movement or landslides) in and around a potential impoundment site are
now investigated in greater detail.
Rehabilitation - measures must now be incorporated into the design prior to the permitting of the
disposal of mine waste. New techniques are continuously being studied and applied to ensure that there
is minimal disturbance to the environment following the closure of a mine.
Management - poor management practices of the past have been acknowledged, and better track
records, including sampling and test results, method of placement and compaction, installation records
of monitoring equipment, personnel on site, and design engineers involved in the project, are kept for
accountability issues.
All this being said, current legislation still requires a tailings dam inspection once every year by a
geotechnical engineer with expertise in this field. This is typically done by not one person, but by a
committee of specialized engineers. The inspection is carried out to ensure the quality of the dams
being constructed and to guard against unexpected failures of both abandoned and operating structures.

IMPACTS OF MINE DEVELOPMENT

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 – Excessive erosion,
– Quarries can result in ponds, ragged topography, etc,
– Slope instability,
– Change in stream flow rate patterns,
– Increase turbidity of streams and lakes
– Stream sedimentation;
– Degradation of stream and river beds resulting from road building and drainage change;
– Obstruction of fish reproduction;
– Dust problems,
– Habitat fragmentation i.e. roads disrupt:
– Calving/rearing grounds,
– Key forage areas,
– Movement and migratory routes
– Increased wildlife mortality;
– Collision between vehicles and wildlife;
– Uncontrolled hunting, poaching;
– Pollutants in pristine areas;
– Chemicalization of soil:
– Gas, oil, drill-core slurry, ground core assay chemicals;
– Abandoned structures;
– Garbage and noise;
Impact of artisanal mining
– Digging and creating:
- Embankments,
- Trenches, Excavated pits,
- Land slides,
- Tailing pile in river beds,
- Deforestation,
- Dust production,
- Waste mineral resources,
- River siltation,
- Hazardous to death,
– Exposure to dust
– Exposure to chemicals, heat, lack of oxygen,

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MINING DEPARTMENT
• Erosion damage,
• Social unrest,
• Effect on the ecosystem,
Mitigation measures of artisanal mining impact
– Establishing legal and institutional conditions,
– Provision of technical assistance,
– Introduce mining extension services,
– Establish authority structure in the mining site,
– Establishment of incentive scheme to reduce damage on environment,
– Providing picks, sluice boxes, etc.
Promotion of artisanal miners to small scale mine cooperatives.
 Impact of large scale surface mining
– Impacts on physical stability
• Destruction and disruption of vegetation;
• Removal of top soils,
• Disruption of natural drainage pattern and land use;
– Impacts of chemicalization (acide mine drainage)
• Erosion of cleared areas and soil overburden dumps leading to sedimentation and pollution of
water courses .
– Imbalance of acidity and alkalinity
– Heavy metals from tailings and process chemicals
– Suspended solids (turbidity)
– inadequate setting in tailings pond
– wave action on tailings pond
– high runoff over un vegetated loose material
– Dust created during operations creating visibility problems and loss of agricultural
production;
• Water consumption effect;
• Visual impacts,
• Modification of land forms,
• Noise and vibration effect from machinery;
• Blast effects;
• Silicosis and other respiratory problems.
– high runoff over un vegetated loose material

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 – Dust created during operations creating visibility problems and loss of agricultural
production;
– Minimize area of stripping,
– Rehabilitate mined area as soon as possible,
– Consider using binders on haul roads
– Minimization of acid mine drainage generation;
– Diversion of leachates from waste heaps to avoid contact with and contamination of
surface water and groundwater;
– Use sedimentation ponds,
– Harvesting water,
– Minimization of fresh water intake;
– Use of ditches to divert surface runoff from tailing ponds;
– Collection and recycling of waste oils and lubricants;
– Prevention of spills of chemicals;
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DURING DECOMMISSIONING
 The following are important when considering decommissioning a mine.
• Public safety hazardous and risk,
• Ecological compatibility,
• Potential as on going source of pollution,
• Community expectation,
• Future land use and resource demands,
• Seepage of toxic solutions into ground and surface water contamination from
acid mine drainage,
• Wildlife and fisheries habitat loss,
• Re-vegetation failure,
• Wind borne dust,
• Slope and tailings impoundment failure,

Mining Has Harmful Environmental Effects

• Scarring and disruption of the land surface
• E.g., spoils banks
• Loss of rivers and streams by being filled in or poisoned
• Toxic gas emissions:
• Effect on aquatic life
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MINING DEPARTMENT
 • Acid mine drainage: rainwater mixes with sulfuric acid produce by bacteria eating the Iron
sulfide minerals in spoils
• Large amounts of solid waste, a source of pollution
• Generally destruction of local ecosystems

• Removal of all vegetation (flora)

• Pollution of water in the surrounding water bodies due to leaching.

• Dust in atmosphere.
• Noise and vibrations due to blasting.
• Water scarcity caused due to the impacts of opencast mining
• Topography and land scenario changes.
• The land-use pattern change.
• Leachets from overburden dumps and other rock masses.
• In the mines having mineral concentration/preparation it is required to make tailing dams to
store the tailings form the concentration/preparation plants.
• The drainage pattern on the surface undergoes a change.
Impacts on air
 Surface mines may produce dust from blasting operations and haul roads and affect the
air
 These dust particles originate from ore crushing, conveyance of crushed ore, loading
bins, blasting, mine and motor vehicle traffic, use of hauling roads, waste rock piles,
windblown tailings, and disturbed areas.
 Many coal mines release methane, which is a greenhouse gas.
 Smelting and refining can produce air pollution of particulates (smoke and fine
particles), nitrogen and sulphur oxides and vaporised metals.
 Dust blown from waste rock dumps and tailings dams may also include hazardous
material.
 Tailings dams, if not vegetated or capped may also be a source of dust.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 While pollution controls can minimize exposures, these safeguards are often absent in mining and smelting operations in developing countries.

Fig 1: Illegal Gold Mine

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Self-Check -5
Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

page-35
MINING DEPARTMENT
 waste dump management processes
Information Sheet-6

6. 1 Dump design considerations

Geotechnical properties of dump and base ground material properties are one of the important input
for slope stability investigations. Cohesion (c), internal friction angle ( ), and unit volume weight ( )
are geotechnical parameters used in limit equilibrium analyses of slope stability. mainly two distinct
material are defined. The first one is the dump material while the other one is called as base
ground.The steeper a pit wall is, the more likely it is to collapse. This can not only hurt or kill people,
but it will also stop or delay production. Wall collapse must be avoided. This is done by choosing a pit
slope angle which will be stable (which will not collapse).

Fig 3-2 Ideal (safe) design of an open pit wall

General consideration

 Overall Slope Angle

 Slope Angle
 Slope Height (m)
 Slope Width (m)
 Maximum Elevation (m)
 Total Damp Volume (million m3 )
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MINING DEPARTMENT
  Site selection for mine waste dump
 Environmental considertion

In dump designing, costs may be governed by any or all of the following factors:

•Geometry: Usually designed to handle a total capacity throughout the life-of-mine. Over-
dimensioning can cause underutilization of valuable areas. Under dimensioning can result in the
increase of the total haulage distances.
•Operating costs: Costs resulting from fuel, energy, maintenance and labour of the haul trucks.
•Haulage distances: Minimizing the total haulage distance while meeting the required capacity
by strategic placing of the ramps, exits, entrances and dumping sequence.
•Stability control: It will define the angle of repose and the nature of the underlying material.
Maintaining the stability of the dump may require relocation of weathered rock or material
blending, especially if water is present.
•If it is a dump leach, a leaching cycle time will define the mining delivery rate and dumping
schedule. Ideally, deliveries rate from the mine should match the leaching cycle times of the
dump. Otherwise, there is a risk of short cycling and losing on mineral recoveries.
•Acquisition of the land permit for dumping purposes as specified by law.
•Environmental factors: costs of implementing and maintaining effective systems to reduce and
eliminate loses and contamination.
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MINING DEPARTMENT
 page-38
MINING DEPARTMENT
Abandoned mine tailings have extremely diverse physical, chemical, and
ecological conditions (Berg et aI.,
1975;
Gemmell, 1973; Hunter and
Whiteman, 1974; Ludeke, 1977; Shamshudd.in et aI., 1986). The tailings
are normally variable in physical composition with depth and low in or-
ganic matter and essential plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), phos-
phorus (P), and potassium (K). Acid drainage due to sulfide oxidation may
be a consideration. Some tailings may have elevated levels of heavy metals
or other toxic materials (Whitby and Hutchinson, 1974; Hutchinson and
Whitby, 1974). Plant uptake of potentially toxic chemicals or heavy metals
and their incorporation into the food chain are real concerns. Some tailings
contain radioactive nuclides which can pose long-term health considera-
tions. Erosion by wind and water with the associated environmental de-
gradation
is
a universal concern associated with tailing materials (Johnson
and Eaton, 1980; Sheppard et at., 1984).
Fig 1: mine’s waste rock and tailings management plans.

Self-Check -6 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________
page-39
MINING DEPARTMENT
Name: _________________________ Date: _______________
Short Answer Questions

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 environmental requirements and constraints related to
Information Sheet-7 reclaim operations

7.1 Environmental, Health, and Safety Requirement:

1. Biodiversity/Flora/Fauna/Ecosystem: To maintain representation, diversity, viability and
ecological function at the species, population and community level.
2. Water resources To maintain the hydrological regimes, quality and quantity of groundwater and
surface water to the extent that existing and potential uses, including ecosystem maintenance, are
protected.
3. Landforms Mining will not result in appreciable land degradation or the contamination or pollution
of the land.
4. Mine closure Mines are closed in a manner to make them (physically) safe to humans and animals,
(geo-technically) stable, (geo-chemically) non-polluting/ non-contaminating, and capable of sustaining
an agreed post-mining land use, and without unacceptable liability to the State.

Mine waste can affect the environment through one or more of the following criteria:
 its chemical and mineralogical composition,
 its physical properties,
 its volume and the surface occupied,
 the waste disposal method.
 climatic conditions liable to modify the disposal conditions,
 geographic and geological location,
 Existing targets liable to be affected (man and his environment).

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Fig1: Gold ore processing within the river using sluice box

In assessing the potential for loss-of-lives and serious danger to human health, the following factors
should be considered:

 The size and properties of the facility

 The quantity and quality of the waste in the facility
 The topography, including damping features such as, e.g., lakes
 The travel time of the flood-wave to areas where people stay
 The propagation velocity of the flood-wave
 The water or slurry level
 The rising rate of water or slurry levels
 Slope angle of heap
 Potential to build up internal groundwater within the heap
 Underground stability
 Proximity to water courses, constructions, buildings, etc
 Mine workings

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Mine tailings dam:
They often consist of fine particles suspended in water, which have the potential to damage the
environment by releasing toxic metals, causing erosion and sinkholes, and contaminating soil and
water supplies. Mine tailings are frequently stored in tailings dams, also known as tailings storage
facilities. Mine tailings' size and composition depends on the mining method. For hard rock
metal mines, tailings are usually a very fine mud or powder, which is left over after ore is crushed and
valuable minerals are extracted from it. Tailings may also contain chemicals used for mineral
extraction.

Management of impacts on air

 Particulate matter (dust) may be reduced by methods such as
 cleaner smelting technologies
 removing stockpiles from nearby residential areas
 establishing greenbelts between mines and residential communities
 dampening roads
 covering concentrate storage facilities
 continuous monitoring of dust and weather conditions

Impacts on Water
 One impact of mining is to bring to the surface large quantities of minerals that are
unstable in the weathering environment.
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MINING DEPARTMENT
  In particular, sulphide minerals in waste rock and tailings react to form sulphuric acid
(H2SO4).
 The resulting acidic runoff can be devastating to the surrounding ecosystem.
 Runoff from mines may also have enhanced levels of metals such as arsenic, copper,
lead, iron, cadmium and nickel.

Acid mine drainage (AMD),

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) refers to the outflow of acidic water from (usually) abandoned metal
mines or coal mines.
In many localities the liquid that drains from coal stocks, coal handling facilities, coal washeries, and
even coal waste tips can be highly acidic
After being exposed to air and water, oxidation of metal sulfides (often pyrite) occur within the
surrounding rock and overburden generates acidity

Production of Acid Mine Drainage

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Neutralization of Acid Mine Drainage
 Carbonate dissolution:
CaCO3 + H+ → Ca2+ + HCO3- pH 7-8
 Or exclude either oxygen or water with either a dry or a wet cover over waste rock pile
or tailings

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Impacts on Land
 Since mining moves large quantities of rock, land impacts are very large.
 Trenches that scar the landscape are problems in some places where artisanal mining
takes place
 Erosion
 Subsidence

Erosion & Sedimentation

 Since mining moves large quantities of rock, land impacts are very large.
 When material is disturbed in significant quantities, as it is in the mining process, large
quantities of sediment are transported by water erosion.
 The sediment eventually drops out of solution and sedimentation occurs at some point
downstream from the erosive source.
 The degree of erosion and sedimentation depends on:
 the degree to which the surface has been disturbed,
 the prevalence of vegetative cover, the type of soil,
 the slope length, and
 the degree of the slope.
 Erosion and sedimentation affect surface water and wetlands.
 Erosion can adversely affect soil organisms, vegetation because it results in the movement of
soil, including topsoil and nutrients

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Land Subsidence
 Land subsidence may occur as a result of underground or solution mining activities.
 Land subsidence may leave land prone to flooding
 To minimize and / or control changes in terrain due to land subsidence,
 Developing the mine with consideration of the location / size of the ore body,
overlying strata, and required well depths for extraction (e.g. there is generally
less potential for subsidence associated with increased extraction depth s);
 Monitoring the size and shape of mined caverns using well logging devices and
operating techniques
 Filling shafts, raises, stope openings, audits, and drifts opening to the surface
with reinforced concrete or with other material to prevent or reduce subsidence
 Subsidence areas should be managed to ensure adequate drainage and re-
established to previous land use or other use acceptable to the community.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Habitat Modification
 The large disturbances caused by mining can disrupt environments, adversely affecting aquatic
habitats (i.e. lakes, ponds, streams, rivers), terrestrial habitats (i.e. deserts, grasslands, forests),
and wetlands that many organisms rely on for survival.
 The disruption of site hydrology by large consumption or release of water, manipulation of
topography, and the release of particulates and chemicals can all have indirect impacts on
various habitats.
Impacts on the biological environment
 Directly and indirectly effect of mining
 Direct impact includes deaths of plants or animals caused by mining activity or contact with
toxic soil or water from mines.
 Indirect impacts include change in nutrient cycle, total biomass, species diversity, and
ecosystem stability.
Social Impacts
 The social impacts of large-scale mining results from a rapid influx of workers into areas
unprepared for growth
 Stressed placed on the local services, including water supplies, sewage and solid waste
disposal systems, schools, and rental housing.
Land use shifts from open range, forest, and agriculture to urban patterns

Chemicals Used in Mining

 Chemicals used in mining and processing minerals contaminate the land, water, and air,
causing health problems for people around.
 Toxic chemicals used in mining include:
 cyanide, sulfuric acid, and solvents for separating minerals from ore
 nitric acid
 ammonium nitrate and fuel oil used in blasting tunnels
 heavy metals such as mercury, uranium, and lead
 gasoline, diesel fuel, and exhaust fumes from vehicles and equipment

Cyanide & Other Chemical Releases

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MINING DEPARTMENT
  Cyanide and other toxic chemicals such as oil, petroleum products, solvents, acids, and
reagants used for processing can be released into the environment and can subsequently affect
water, soil, aquatic organisms, wildlife, waterfowl, and humans.
 The cyanide-contaminated solution left after valuable minerals have been removed is placed in
a tailings pond or solution retention basin.
 These ponds and basins have proven to attract unsuspecting waterfowl and wildlife that suffer
both acute and chronic poisoning.
 Leakage from the piles of waste that are leached with cyanide can allow release cyanide and
other toxic constituents directly into the environment via surface water and groundwater flow.

 Cyanide is used to separate gold from ore.

 In its pure form, cyanide has no color and smells like bitter almonds.
 It may lose this smell when it combines with other chemicals.
 Cyanide is deadly when swallowed-size of a grain of rice is enough to kill.
 Exposure to low doses over a long time may cause a swelling in the throat
 Cyanide is often spilled into waterways during gold mining.
 Mining companies say that cyanide in water quickly becomes harmless. But this is true
only when there is lots of sunlight and oxygen.
management
Use of alkalies such as, calcium oxide will prevent the decomposition of cyanide in solution to form
hydrogen cyanide
 Reduce the volume of cyanide required to leach gold
Use other chemicals such as bromine, chlorine and thiourea

Sulfuric acid
 Sulfuric acid is a toxic chemical used in copper mining.
 it is also a byproduct of many kinds of mining, mixing with water and heavy metals to
form acid mine drainage.
 Sulfuric acid smells like rotten eggs.
 Contact with sulfuric acid can cause burns, blindness, and death.
Prevention
 The best way to prevent harm from toxic chemicals.
 Use protective equipment whenever possible.
 Wash your hands many times a day. Do not touch your face, other people while working
and Never eat where chemicals are being used or stored.
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MINING DEPARTMENT
  Demand that mine operators reduce dust and water pollution.
 Store chemicals safely.

 Mercury poisoning
 When artisinal miners process silver or gold ore, they often mix the ore with mercury to
make a soft substance called amalgam.
 When burned off to collect the gold, the mercury turns to a gas that can be breathed in by
anyone nearby.
 Mercury can also become a gas if it is spilled or left in an open container.

Prevent mercury poisoning

 Use a mercury retort. A mercury retort captures mercury gas before it gets into the air.
 Separate gold from mercury in the open air or in a well-ventilated area.
Some gold miners simply put a banana leaf over the gold heating pan to heat, and the mercury
turns to gas, and turns back to liquid on the leaf. Covering the heating pan with a leaf is much better
than leaving it uncovered

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MINING DEPARTMENT
Fig:1 mine storage facility failure

page-51
MINING DEPARTMENT
 Tailings dam failures:
It is widely accepted in the technical and scientific community that good management, with an
integrated approach that extends from facility design to closure, plays a significant role in mitigating
and reducing the risk of tailings storage-facility failures. However, some external factors may
increase the risk of failure.
Causes of failure:
The majority of the tailings storage-facility failures– in particular, the lack of management
continuity and inadequate resourcing (especially financial) for the facility. In cases of failure
triggered by mechanisms such as overtopping or piping, inadequate management has occurred over
a period of time. The failure may ultimately have been triggered by a particular mechanism, but the
tailings storage facility should never have been permitted to reach a point where it was susceptible
to such a triggering mechanism in the first place. In the case of failures due to earthquakes, where
the loading is rapid and unexpected, the initial design of the tailings storage facility is the most
important management consideration. The design needs to be fit for purpose – for example, tailings
storage-facility studies indicate that the upstream method of dam construction is more susceptible to
instability from seismic loading compared to the downstream method.

Self-Check -2 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

page-52
MINING DEPARTMENT
 Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

Completing work in accordance with the agreed plan

Information Sheet-8

8.1 Reclamation

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MINING DEPARTMENT
The final stage in the operation of most mines is reclamation, the process of closing a mine and
recontouring, revegetating, and restoring the water and land values. The best time to begin the
reclamation process of a mine is before the first excavations are initiated. In other words, mine
planning engineers should plan the mine so that the reclamation process is considered and the overall
cost of mining plus reclamation is minimized, not just the cost of mining itself.. In planning for the
reclamation of any given mine, there are many concerns that must be addressed. The first of these is
the safety of the mine site, particularly if the area is open to the general public. The removal of office
buildings, processing facilities, transportation equipment, utilities, and other surface structures must
generally be accomplished.

Mine Closure and Reclamation

Avoid environmental and social liabilities through early mine closure planning tailored to your
specific requirements

Self-Check -2 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)

page-54
MINING DEPARTMENT
 2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

Using hand and power tools

Information Sheet-9

9.1 Introduction:
Employees and employers should work together to establish safe working procedures. If a hazardous
situation is encountered, it should be brought immediately to the attention of the proper individual for
hazard abatement. They also identify ways to prevent worker injury through proper use of the tools
and through the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
What should you do when working with powered hand drills?

 Wear safety glasses or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles).

 Keep drill air vents clear to maintain adequate ventilation.
 Keep drill bits sharp always.
page-55
MINING DEPARTMENT
  Keep all cords clear of the cutting area during use. Inspect for frays or damage before each use.
 Disconnect power supply before changing or adjusting bit or attachments.
 Tighten the chuck securely. Remove chuck key before starting drill.
 Secure work piece being drilled to prevent movement.

What should you do when working with small pieces?

 Clamp stock so work will not twist or spin.

 Do not drill with one hand while holding the material with the other.

What should you avoid when working with powered hand drills?

 Do not use a bent drill bit.

 Do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum drilling capacities.
 Do not use a hole saw cutter without the pilot drill.
 Do not use high speed steel (HSS) bits without cooling or using lubrication.
 Do not attempt to free a jammed bit by starting and stopping the drill. Unplug the drill and then
remove the bit from the workpiece.
 Do not reach under or around stock being drilled.
 Do not overreach. Always keep proper footing and balance.
 Do not raise or lower the drill by its power cord.
 Do not use in wet or muddy locations. Use a nonpowered drill instead.
 Do not use excessive force to drill into hard material. Reduce drill speed if possible.

Employees who use hand and power tools and are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive,
and splashing objects, or to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with the
appropriate personal protective equipment. All electrical connections for these tools must be suitable
for the type of tool and the working conditions (wet, dusty, flammable vapors). When a temporary
power source is used for construction a ground-fault circuit interrupter should be used.
Employees should be trained in the proper use of all tools. Workers should be able to recognize the
hazards associated with the different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary.
Five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools:

 Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

 Use the right tool for the job.
 Examine each tool for damage before use and do not use damaged tools.
 Operate tools according to the manufacturers' instructions.
 Provide and use properly the right personal protectiv equipment.

What Are the Hazards of Hand Tools?

Hand tools are tools that are powered manually. Hand tools include anything from axes to
page-56
MINING DEPARTMENT
wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.

Some examples include the following:

 If a chisel is used as a screwdriver, the tip of the chisel may break and fly off, hitting the user
or other employees.
 If a wooden handle on a tool, such as a hammer or an axe, is loose, splintered, or cracked, the
head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or other employees.
 If the jaws of a wrench are sprung, the wrench might slip.
 If impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins have mushroomed heads, the heads might
shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments flying toward the user or other employees.

What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

Appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety goggles and gloves must be worn to protect
againsthazards that may be encountered while using hand tools.
Workplace floors shall be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around
dangeroushandtools.
Power tools must be fitted with guards and safety switches; they are extremely hazardous when used
improperly. The types of power tools are determined by their power source: electric, pneumatic, liquid
fuel, hydraulic, and powder-actuated.
To prevent hazards associated with the use of power tools, workers should observe the following
general precautions:
 Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.
 Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle.
 Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
 Disconnect tools when not using them, before servicing and cleaning them, and when changing
accessories such as blades, bits, and cutters.
 Keep all people not involved with the work at a safe distance from the work area.
 Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.
 Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in
tool.
 Maintain tools with care; keep them sharp and clean for best performance.
 Follow instructions in the user's manual for lubricating and changing accessories.
 Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance when operating power tools.
 Wear proper apparel for the task. Loose clothing, ties, or jewelry can become caught in moving
parts.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Remove all damaged portable electric tools from use and tag them: "Do Not Use."
How do you select the proper bit or attachment?
 Follow manufacturers' instructions when selecting and using a bit or attachment,
especially with unfamiliar drills or work.
 Select the bit or attachment suitable for the size of the drill and the work being done.
 Ensure that the bit or attachments are properly seated and tightened in the chuck.
 Use only bits and attachments that turn true.
 Use the auxiliary (second) handle for larger work or continuous operation.

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 Self-Check -2 Written Test

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Use the Answer sheet provided in the next page:
1. Mention some of the Tailings dam safety.(4pts)
2. Define what pit slope mean.(3pts)
3. What is the importance of Environmental Management of sites?(3pts)

Note: Satisfactory rating - 3 points Unsatisfactory - below 3 points

You can ask you teacher for the copy of the correct answers.

Answer Sheet
Score = ___________

Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Short Answer Questions

page-59
MINING DEPARTMENT
Reference
• www.quarrymanagement.com
• Alan Matchett, business manager – Rammer, Metso Minerals (UK)
• University of rizona Mining and Geological Engineering Rock Excavation MnE 415 – 515:
Course Notes – Spring 2006 Compiled by: Dr. Sean Dessureault
• http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/RRA_MineTailings_hires.pdf
• European Commission, Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Management of
Tailings and Waste-Rock in Mining Activities, Seville, Spain, 2009
• IAEA Safety Standards Series No. NF-T-1.2, Best Practice in Environmental Management of
Uranium Mining, Vienna, Austria, 2010
• Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Program, Prediction Manual for Drainage
Chemistry from Sulphidic Geologic Materials, MEND Report 1.20.1, Natural Resources
Canada, CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories, editor:William A. Price,
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, 2009

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MINING DEPARTMENT
 page-61
MINING DEPARTMENT