Undergraduate Researcher return to map return to student search
Hometown:
Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA US
School:
University of Idaho
Undergraduate student
Geology
Funded by EPSCoR Award:
ICREWS | OIA-2242769
Research Location(s):
University of Idaho
COUNTIES: Latah
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S): District 6
Research Statement:
Acid rock drainage (ARD) is emanating from a sulfidic waste rock stockpile at the Red Dog mine site near the Arctic Circle in Alaska. The ARD impacts the operation of the mine and the ability of the mine operator to discharge water to the environment at this globally significant zinc mining facility (10% of the worldwide zinc supply is produced at this mine). The UI research team collected waste rock samples from the stockpile during a drilling event to analyze the rock for its acid-generating capacity. The goal is to assist the mine operator in understanding the acid-generating potential of the stockpile to design appropriate remediation efforts.
Research Impact:
The larger project is in the final phase of waste rock analysis to understand its acid-generating capacity to assist the mine operator in developing appropriate remediation techniques to lessen the operational and environmental impact of the ARD. Results of solution testing were incorporated into a final mineralogical analysis to publish a last manuscript that builds on three previous study phases published to understand the historical conditions of ARD at the site, the acid-generating and acid-neutralizing mineralogy of the waste rock, and the results of waste rock batch reactor tests. The process of understanding the longevity of a slag pile can be transferred to all the mines across the world. With Idaho's historical mining this research can be used to help create a better cleanup solution to all the mines.