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(6) Designated Chemical and Material Handling <br />6.1 Types of Acid and Toxic Producing Materials Originating Onsite <br />With the addition of barium chloride to the mine water, a sludge precipitate will form that <br />contains radium. The treated water ponds are designed to hold the full amount of sludge <br />generated over the life of the mine. If the rate of sludge production is more than <br />anticipated due to an increased solids load from the mining operation or the mine life <br />exceeds 15 years, then a one -time sludge removal would be needed in the latter part of <br />the mine life. This material would be removed from the ponds according to <br />Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) <br />procedures and shipped to a licensed facility for disposal. <br />Spills and/or leaks from any component of the water treatment process within the <br />building will be self - contained within the concrete curb of the floor. A sump ( -1.5' x 1.5' <br />x 1.0') and a 6 inch curb around the treatment house floor that can contain up to 820 <br />gallons will gather any mine water spills or leaks. This can be pumped back into the <br />mine water line once the leak is repaired to allow treatment. Spills of barium chloride or <br />flocculants material will also be washed to the sump and pumped back into the mine <br />waterline for treatment at the prescribed rate to prevent high concentrations of barium <br />chloride. <br />The potential for acid mine drainage from the ore and waste rock stockpiles, and how <br />these materials will be handled to ensure that the affected lands will be reclaimed and <br />returned to the approved post- mining land use, is discussed in the subsequent sections. <br />6.1.1 Source <br />A technical report on acid mine drainage from the EPA (EPA 530 -R -94 -036) presents a <br />fundamental analysis for the potential of acid mine drainage. Basically, acidic waters are <br />formed by sulfide oxidation. Acid is generated at mine sites when metal sulfides are <br />oxidized. For example, pyrite (FeS2), when oxidized in the presence of water, creates <br />acids by the following reaction: <br />2 FeS + 2 H + 70 4 4 if + 4 SO4 Fe <br />The hydrogen ions (H - ) reduce the pH resulting in acidic conditions. The EPA report <br />notes that acid mine drainage is common in metal and coal mines. Commonly, sulfide <br />(S) minerals such as chalcopyrite, galena, and arsenopyrite, when oxidized in the <br />presence of water as shown in the above formula, produce an acidic solution. <br />Conversely, common minerals for uranium ores and the chemical formulas are listed <br />below: <br />Carnotite: K • 31120 <br />Tyuyamunite: Ca(UO2)2(VO4) 5 -81120 <br />Uraninite (Pitchblende): UO <br />O'Connor Design Group Inc. U - 8 <br />