Mining is a major global industry, but it can also cause significant environmental degradation, especially in developing countries.In Papua New Guinea (PNG), mining is an important economic sector, but it has also led to environmental issues, including pollution of marine ecosystems. Discharging mine waste tailings into aquatic systems, either freshwater or the sea, can have negative impacts on the environment and human health.To address the issues with sea tailing placement (STP), a more improved technique called deep sea tailing placement (DSTP) is used, where tailings are discharged well below the sea level.The Ramu Nickel-Cobalt project in PNG is a major mining operation that uses the DSTP method to dispose of its tailings.The study aims to assess the metal concentrations, acidity/pH, and flow velocity of the tailings before discharge to determine the ecological safety of the DSTP method.The Ramu Ni-Co Mine is located in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea, with the mining activities carried out at two different locations. The Kurumbukari site is where the ore mining and beneficiation take place, while the Basamuk Bay site houses the refinery plant, which includes a high-pressure acid leaching facility, an acid plant, a lime plant, a power station, a wharf, a limestone quarry, and an accommodation area. Additionally, a deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) facility is used to dispose of the tailings into the Bismarck Sea at a depth of 150 meters.The main points of the information provided are:The data for this study was directly taken from routine quality monitoring checks at the Basamuk Refinery, where samples were collected at 4-times per day or 24-hourly basis and analyzed using approved standard methods and equipment.The samples were collected from the mixing tank, the point of tailing discharge, and were analyzed in the laboratory for pH, discharge flow velocity, and heavy metal concentrations using various analytical techniques such as ICP-MS, Discrete Analyzer, and FIMS.The metals present in the Basamuk Ni-Co refinery tailings are classified into two groups: Other Metals (Mn, Zn, Ni, Co, Cu) and Toxic Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Se, As, Ag, Hg, Cr), and their monthly average concentrations are all below the respective Environment Permit Standard Concentrations (EPSC).The concentrations of the Toxic Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Se, As, Ag, Hg, Cr) in the tailing water are all less than 0.01 mg/L, which is below the EPSC, suggesting that they do not pose an immediate threat to the local marine ecosystem.Here are the main points from the given information in a brief two-week format:Consistent metal concentrations observed in the tailing effluent, indicating effective environmental compliance checks by the refinery.Discharge velocity of the tailing effluent is a critical component of the DSTP (Deep-Sea Tailing Placement) system, as it maintains the density current and minimizes plume dispersion.The daily average discharge velocities were found to be within the recommended range of 800-2500 m/h, with a monthly average of 1270 m/h.Fluctuations in discharge velocities were observed during certain periods, which can potentially lead to plume shearing and dispersion of light tailing materials and metals.The pH analysis of the tailing effluent is essential to ensure compliance with ecological safety standards and maintain the alkalinity of the discharge.The daily pH values were found to be within the recommended range of 6.5 to 9.0, with a monthly average of 8.12, similar to the pH of seawater, indicating effective neutralization of the tailing waste.The main points of the given information are:The pH analysis of the tailing effluents from the Basamuk Refinery shows that the pH values are within the recommended range of 6.5 to 9.0, with an average of 8.12, indicating that the tailing waste was adequately neutralized to alkaline levels before discharge.The study concludes that the deep-sea tailing placement (DSTP) method used by the Basamuk Refinery operates in compliance with the PNG government's regulations, and the physical and chemical parameters of the tailing effluents do not pose an immediate risk of marine ecological contamination, although long-term environmental impacts on the marine ecosystem require further study.

Question

Mining is a major global industry, but it can also cause significant environmental degradation, especially in developing countries.In Papua New Guinea (PNG), mining is an important economic sector, but it has also led to environmental issues, including pollution of marine ecosystems. Discharging mine waste tailings into aquatic systems, either freshwater or the sea, can have negative impacts on the environment and human health.To address the issues with sea tailing placement (STP), a more improved technique called deep sea tailing placement (DSTP) is used, where tailings are discharged well below the sea level.The Ramu Nickel-Cobalt project in PNG is a major mining operation that uses the DSTP method to dispose of its tailings.The study aims to assess the metal concentrations, acidity/pH, and flow velocity of the tailings before discharge to determine the ecological safety of the DSTP method.The Ramu Ni-Co Mine is located in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea, with the mining activities carried out at two different locations. The Kurumbukari site is where the ore mining and beneficiation take place, while the Basamuk Bay site houses the refinery plant, which includes a high-pressure acid leaching facility, an acid plant, a lime plant, a power station, a wharf, a limestone quarry, and an accommodation area. Additionally, a deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) facility is used to dispose of the tailings into the Bismarck Sea at a depth of 150 meters.The main points of the information provided are:The data for this study was directly taken from routine quality monitoring checks at the Basamuk Refinery, where samples were collected at 4-times per day or 24-hourly basis and analyzed using approved standard methods and equipment.The samples were collected from the mixing tank, the point of tailing discharge, and were analyzed in the laboratory for pH, discharge flow velocity, and heavy metal concentrations using various analytical techniques such as ICP-MS, Discrete Analyzer, and FIMS.The metals present in the Basamuk Ni-Co refinery tailings are classified into two groups: Other Metals (Mn, Zn, Ni, Co, Cu) and Toxic Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Se, As, Ag, Hg, Cr), and their monthly average concentrations are all below the respective Environment Permit Standard Concentrations (EPSC).The concentrations of the Toxic Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Se, As, Ag, Hg, Cr) in the tailing water are all less than 0.01 mg/L, which is below the EPSC, suggesting that they do not pose an immediate threat to the local marine ecosystem.Here are the main points from the given information in a brief two-week format:Consistent metal concentrations observed in the tailing effluent, indicating effective environmental compliance checks by the refinery.Discharge velocity of the tailing effluent is a critical component of the DSTP (Deep-Sea Tailing Placement) system, as it maintains the density current and minimizes plume dispersion.The daily average discharge velocities were found to be within the recommended range of 800-2500 m/h, with a monthly average of 1270 m/h.Fluctuations in discharge velocities were observed during certain periods, which can potentially lead to plume shearing and dispersion of light tailing materials and metals.The pH analysis of the tailing effluent is essential to ensure compliance with ecological safety standards and maintain the alkalinity of the discharge.The daily pH values were found to be within the recommended range of 6.5 to 9.0, with a monthly average of 8.12, similar to the pH of seawater, indicating effective neutralization of the tailing waste.The main points of the given information are:The pH analysis of the tailing effluents from the Basamuk Refinery shows that the pH values are within the recommended range of 6.5 to 9.0, with an average of 8.12, indicating that the tailing waste was adequately neutralized to alkaline levels before discharge.The study concludes that the deep-sea tailing placement (DSTP) method used by the Basamuk Refinery operates in compliance with the PNG government's regulations, and the physical and chemical parameters of the tailing effluents do not pose an immediate risk of marine ecological contamination, although long-term environmental impacts on the marine ecosystem require further study.

Using the above information, what are the examples or come up with Six examples

Answer 1

of how the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt project in Papua New Guinea is implementing sustainable mining practices:

1. Regular monitoring of metal concentrations in the tailing effluent to ensure compliance with environmental standards and prevent pollution of marine ecosystems.
2. Utilizing the deep-sea tailing placement (DSTP) method for tailings disposal, which minimizes the impact on aquatic systems by discharging tailings well below the sea level.
3. Conducting routine quality checks and analysis of samples collected from the mixing tank and point of tailing discharge to maintain ecological safety and prevent contamination.
4. Maintaining the discharge flow velocity of the tailing effluent within the recommended range of 800-2500 m/h to prevent plume dispersion and minimize environmental impact.
5. Ensuring that the pH levels of the tailing effluent are neutralized to alkaline levels before discharge, maintaining ecological safety and preventing acidification of the marine environment.
6. Implementing effective environmental compliance checks at the Basamuk Refinery to monitor and control the concentrations of toxic heavy metals in the tailing water, ensuring the protection of the local marine ecosystem.