Publication Name

MINING FOR CLOSURE

For the context of this report, the following definitions are

provided for general mining and minerals sector related

terminology:

Acid Deposition

The falling of acids and acid-forming

compounds from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface.

Acid deposition is commonly known as acid rain, a term

that refers only to wet deposition of droplets of acids and

acid-forming compounds. Acid deposition includes the

fallout of dry acid-forming compounds.

Acid Drainage

Also referred to as Acid Mine Drainage

(AMD) or Acid Rock Drainage (ARD). Acid drainage arises

from the rapid oxidation of sulphide minerals and often oc-

curs when such minerals are exposed to the atmosphere by

excavation from the earth’s crust. Incident rainfall or surface

water is acidified when acid-forming compounds dissolve.

Effects include acid drainage fromwaste rock stockpiles and

tailings, development of acid conditions in exposed surface

materials, increased solubility and or release of metals, and

increased salinity or solute loads in waters.

Acidic Water

Referring to water with a pH below 7 but

generally referring to pH values of 4 and below. Any water

solution where the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) is

greater than the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-).

Aquifer

Porous, water-saturated layers of sand, gravel,

or bed rock that can yield an economically significant

amount of water.

Backfill

Material used to fill areas in underground mines

made void by the extraction of ore. This material generally

comprises coarse sand, rock and cement.

Beneficiation

The process of separation of an ore mineral

from the waste mineral material.

Bioavailability

A measure of the availability (number of

available pathways for exposure) for toxic substances

(such as certain metallic compounds) to contact and af-

fect humans, fauna or flora.

Biodiversity

Variety of different species (species diversity),

genetic variability among individuals within each species

(genetic diversity), and variety of ecosystems (ecological

diversity).

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

Amount of dissolved ox-

ygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down the

organic material in a given volume of water at a certain

temperature over a specified time period.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A colourless, odourless, tasteless gas,

approximately 1.5 times the density of air. The basis for plant

respiration. Liberated when vegetablematter rots, burns and

when oil and gas are burnt. Bound when plants grow.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Abbreviation for various

chemical compounds containing chlorine, fluorine and

carbon. CFCs are produced in industrial processes, con-

tribute to ozone layer depletion and are green house gases

in the lower levels of the atmosphere.

COD, Chemical Oxygen Demand

An indicator of the poten-

tial environmental impact of effluents to water. The COD is

a laboratory measure of the quantity of oxygen required to

oxidise the constituents of a liquid effluent. The lower the

COD, the lower the potential for reduction in the concen-

tration of dissolved oxygen in the receiving water.

Concentrate

Concentrate is the product of ore treatment

and contains metal at a higher concentration than the

source ore. In metallurgical processes for the production

of nickel and copper, concentrate is smelted to produce a

metallic compound suitable for further refining.

Cuttings

Earth and rock removed during a drilling opera-

tion to make an exploration hole. Cuttings are invariably

contaminated with oil from drilling fluids (oil based and

other muds).

Discharge

This is used as a general term for all releases of

contaminants into the environment, be they gas, liquid,

or solid, or a combination thereof. The term “emission is

used exclusively for releases in the atmosphere, “effluent”

is restricted to releases into surface waters and “waste” is

used for remaining releases, such as disposal to landfill or

treatment by incineration. A contaminant is a compound

which is present in the environment in concentrations

higher than the background level, but not necessarily

causing a negative impact.

Environmental Audit

A programme to evaluate compli-

ance with regulations, systems, programs and policies

Environmental Compliance

When an organization is in

strict compliance with an environmental law(s), regula-

tion, or other regulatory condition imposed on an opera-

tion via a licence, approval, consent, environmental im-

pact assessment or other regulatory process.

Fauna

Animal life characteristic of a particular region or

environment.

Flora

Plant life characteristic of a specific geographic re-

gion or environment.

Greenhouse Effect

Warming of the lower level of the

atmosphere (troposphere) as a result of heat radiating

glossary of mining/environment

terminology