Publication Name

MINING FOR CLOSURE

from the ground being absorbed by global warming

gases.

Greenhouse Gases

Or climate change gases, contributing

to the global warming effect (carbon dioxide, methane,

CFCs, ozone, dinitrogen oxide).

Groundwater

All water present below the ground surface.

Groundwater fills the voids between soil or rock particles.

Groundwater is replenished by surface water infiltration.

Hazardous Material

Amaterial, which as a result of its phys-

ical, chemical or other properties, poses a hazard to human

health or the environment when it is improperly handled,

used treated, stored, disposed of, or otherwise managed.

Hazardous Waste

Any solid, liquid, or containerised gas

that can catch fire easily, is corrosive to skin tissue of met-

als, is unstable and can explode or release toxic fumes, or

has harmful concentrations of one or more toxic material

that can leach out.

Incident

An unplanned event of chain of events which

has, or could have caused injury or illness and/or damage

to the environment, third parties or company assets.

Matte

Such as nickel matte, a metallic nickel sulphide,

containing approximately 75% metal. The material pro-

duced by smelting a metal concentrate.

Methane (CH4)

A global warming gas produced by anaer-

obic decay of organic material. The main component in

natural gas. Is often held within coal seams. Convention-

ally not included in the category of gases called volatile

organic compounds.

Mineral (Mineral resource)

Concentration of naturally oc-

curring solid, liquid, or gaseous material, in or on Earth’s

crust, in such form and amount that its extraction and

conversion into useful materials or items is currently or

potentially profitable. Mineral resources are classified as

metallic, or non-metallic.

Neutral drainage

A term generally referring to neutral Fe-

rich water and subsequent precipitates. Acidic drainage

is a common result from the exposure of sulphur con-

taining coal and sulphide-bearing rocks. Acidic drainage

is (generally) characterized by yellow, ferric hydroxide

precipitates that drop out downstream from discharge

points. However, similar precipitates also form naturally

in places where Fe-bearing, anoxic (ground) waters dis-

charge into streams. In these circum-neutral settings, the

precipitates have red and red-orange hues.

Nitrous Oxides (NOx)

A general term for nitrogen oxide

gases. These are generally produced by combustion proc-

esses and can contribute to the formation of smog and

acidification effects.

Non-compliance

Environmental non-compliance means

to be out of strict compliance with an environmental law,

regulation, or other regulatory condition imposed on an

operation via a licence, approval, consent, environmental

impact assessment or other regulatory process.

Ore

Part of a metal yielding material that can be economi-

cally and legally extracted. An ore typically contains two

parts: the ore mineral, which contains the desired metal,

and the waste mineral material (gangue).

Overburden

Soil and weathered rock which is excavated

and removed to reach underlying ore.

Ozone

A reactive form of oxygen. Ozone plays an impor-

tant role both at ground level and in the upper atmosphere.

In the upper atmosphere it acts as a filter for ultraviolet

radiation but is destroyed by halogenated hydrocarbons

(halons and CFCs). At ground level it is produced by reac-

tions with VOCs and NOx and is a constituent of photo-

chemical smog, it is an irritant, can cause breathing dif-

ficulties, and can retard the growth of plants.

Ozone Layer

Ozone formed in the upper atmosphere

(stratosphere) under the effects of solar radiation. This

layer absorbs much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation

and prevents it from reaching the earth’s surface.

Particulates

Fine solid particles which remain individu-

ally dispersed in air.

Paste

Paste refers to dewatered tailings with little or no wa-

ter bleed that are non-segregating in nature.The advantag-

es of paste backfill over hydraulic fill include reductions in

binder consumption, slimes handling, stope preparation

and surface disposal together with productivity improve-

ments associated with an increased mining cycle.

Perfluorinated Carbon Compounds (PFCs)

Also known

as perfluorocarbons. Global warming gases contributed

(principally) by aluminium smelting. The principal

PFCs are CF4 and C2F6, their global warming potential

is 6300 and 12500 CO2 equivalents respectively. While

relatively small volumes are produced, a very significant

environmental effect ensues. PFCs are produced during

anode effects (AEs), perturbations of current flow at the

anode in reduction cells.

Petrochemicals

Chemicals obtained by refining crude oil.

Used as raw materials in the manufcture of most indus-

trial chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides, plastics, synthetic

fibres, paints medicine and many other products.

Recycling

Extraction and recovery of valuable materials

from scrap or used products.

Rehabilitation

Treatment of disturbed areas ultimately

leading to stable, vegetated land forms consistent with the

previous landforms or an acceptable alternative use.

Risk – and related terms.

Risk

A description of the likelihood of the harm be-

coming actual. Importantly, risk is (at least) two-di-

mensional and consideration of risks must encom-