Methodology to Prioritize Chilean Tailings Selection, According to Their Potential Risks

Elizabeth J. Lam, Italo L. Montofré, Fernando A. Álvarez, Natalia F. Gaete, Diego A. Poblete and Rodrigo J. Rojas
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Elizabeth J. Lam: Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
Italo L. Montofré: Mining Business School, ENM, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
Fernando A. Álvarez: Mining Business School, ENM, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
Natalia F. Gaete: Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
Diego A. Poblete: Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
Rodrigo J. Rojas: Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: For centuries, Chile has been a territory with significant mining activity, resulting in associated social benefits and impacts. One of the main challenges the country faces today is the presence of a great number of mine tailings containing heavy metals, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Fe, which make up a potential risk for the population. This study is intended to develop a methodology for determining tailings requiring urgent treatment in Chile, based on risks associated with heavy metals. Geochemical data from 530 Chilean tailings were compared to the Dutch norm and the Canadian and Australian soil quality guidelines for residential use. Additionally, criteria about residents and water bodies were used, considering a 2-km area of influence around tailings. To do this, QGIS (Böschacherstrasse 10a CH-8624 Grüt (Gossau ZH), Zurich, Switzerland), a geospatial tool, was used to geolocate each deposit, considering regions, communes, rivers, lakes, and populated areas. To evaluate potential ecological contamination risks, Hakanson’s methodology was used. Results revealed the presence of 12 critical tailings in Chile that require urgent treatment. From the 530 tailings evaluated, 195 are located at less than 2 km from a populated area and 154 at less than 2 km from a water body. In addition, 347 deposits require intervention: 30 on Cu, 30 on Cr, 13 on Zn, 69 on Pb, 138 on As, 1 on Cd, and 5 on Hg.

Keywords: mine tailings; environmental liabilities; mining industries; environmental risks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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