1986-12-08_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1977493 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: M1977493
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Date: 12/8/1986
• Doc Name: METHODS AND COSTS FOR STABILIZING FINE-SIZED MINERAL WASTES
• From: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

25 '
The buried sludge layer and pelletized cover methods are still unproven
in the field and the actual costs incurred from application of these proce-
dures to differing sites may range to double the lower calculated figure. How-
ever, if the calculated cost range of $735 to $1 ,470 per acre is approximately II„�
ge and pelleted surface method, this pro-
correct for the combined buried slud
cedure is comparable on a cost basis to that using a 12-inch soil cover and ! �•
vegetation, and tests may be warranted to evaluate the relative'effectiveness
of both procedures for obtaining vegetation on adverse sites. If the use of
pellets is not mandatory to achieve satisfactory vegetative stabilization, C. i
then the lowered cost for application of only buried sludge layers and vegeta-
tion makes the method more competitive.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Physical, chemical, vegetative, and combination stabilization methods
have been developed by the Bureau of Mines and the mining and milling industry
that offer promise of retarding or eliminating erosion of fine-sized mineral �, ;j a
wastes.
2. Vegetative stabilization is preferred in that it offers greater per-
anency and improvement in appearance than other stabilization techniques.
combination methods of physical-vegetative (hydromulching, matting, and soil
cover) and the chemical-vegetative procedures permit effective establishment i ;•' �
of vegetation directly onto tailing material except for excessively acidic,
basic, or saline wastes. Costs for these methods range from $120 to $1,750 i
per acre in 1973. 1 1 :iii f
3. Pelletization of tailings to improve physical structure is beneficial
in establishing a vegetative cover and artificial soils can be formed by com-
bining municipal wastes such as sewage sludge or refuse compost with mineral }
4. The use of 2-inch layers of sewage sludge or compost buried 3 to
5inches under the -surface of tailings prevents or retards the oxidation of
sulfides and the consequent acidification of sulfide-containing tailings. The li f
Juried organic layer method would aid in achieving stabilization of tailings
subject to such oxidation.
5. Nitrogen fertilization maintenance costs for vegetatively stabilized
tailings can be reduced by use of nitrogen-fixing native plant species such as
; Indian ricegrass. Research has produced an acid and hormone treatment for (E
; increasing the naturally low germination rate of Indian ricegrass seeds. Addi- { !
:ional species of nitrogen-fixing native plants are being sought.
6. Growth of vegetation on saline tailings can be enhanced by percola-
Lion leaching of salts , seedbed preparation using deep furrows , solar orienta-
il
'ion of mounded tailings , and the addition of sulfur in various forms.
7. Microvegetative growth can be achieved on tailings and offers promise i
over macroscopic forms on tailings in arid regions , but the algae, lichens ,
, and mosses are as subject to salinity stresses as the larger plant species. M
�r