Course content

This course will provide an overview of the most important environmental impacts which occur as a consequence of mineral production or of excavation and handling of rock masses/aggregates in construction with regard to description of problems, their causes and effects. Remediation options for prevention or reduction of environmental effects will be examined. The topics considered will be adapted to Norwegian conditions and will include amongst others: acidic runoff from sulphide mines, tunnels and road cuttings, heavy metal pollution, particle pollution and chemical releases, tailings deposition and alternative uses of mineral waste and surplus masses. Strategies and methods for monitoring and analysis will also be examined. Sustainability aspects are emphasised, and an introduction to systems to ensure transparency, due diligence and sustainability is given.

Learning outcome

Competence:

Students should be able to explain and communicate the most important environmental aspects linked to mineral production and to the extraction and treatment of rock masses, seen in relation to the significance of these activities for the development of society and sustainability.

Students should be able to give an account of cause and effect relationships and explain how environmental effects and the degree of sustainability are dependent on the nature of remediation actions, the condition of recipients, mineralogical and technical properties and characteristics of the masses, together with other external relationships.

Students will acquire fundamental environmental competence that qualifies for further studies in environmental issues related to mineral production and the extraction and treatment of rock masses.

Knowledge and skills:

Students should be able to understand and explain the most important environmental challenges, placing weight on understanding their causes and environmental effects. Additionally, students should be able to identify potential environmental effects related to establishing new or extended operations, and to set up a simple sketch of elements (components and issues) which should be included within an environmental impact assessment.

Students should be able to explain the reaction equations governing oxidation of sulphide minerals and development of acidic runoff and to perform calculations related to neutralising and precipitation of acidic heavy metal containing solutions.

Students should be able to give an account of the usual remediation measures and be able to perform simple mass - concentration - and volume calculations linked to the treatment of surplus polluted masses. They should be able to describe and explain the most important and common challenges linked to the use of waste masses.

Students should be able to perform transport calculations and plan monitoring programmes for the monitoring of local water systems. They should also be able to describe the correct usage of water and soil samples and the choice of correct preparation and analytical methods.

Students should be able to provide an overview of the most relevant legislation and provide examples of systems and tools which are used to support due diligence and transparency, and sustainability. Students should be able to describe the structure used by the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) system.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and compulsory exercises. The course will be taught in Norwegian only. This is because the course materials are to a very large degree based on Norwegian documents, reports, laws and environmental impact assessments which are produced only in the Norwegian language.

If possible and feasible, excursions to relevant companies will be organized.

The course is evaluated by a reference group and/or questionnaire.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of mineral georesources.

Course materials

Lecture notes and a collection of articles, documents, reports and environmental impact assessments.