Rehabilitation of mining areas in Durango, Mexico

Rehabilitation of mining areas in Durango, Mexico
Project:
Engineering
Services:
Mining remains are a world-wide problem, posing health and environmental risks, if
left without proper aftercare. Together with Mexican authorities site-specific
concepts have been elaborated that lead to sustainable improvement of
environmental situation and quality of life in the surrounding communities of mines,
situated in the state of Durango.
A passive-biological water treatment plant was built to clean cyanide and heavy
metal containing wastewater of ore processing facilities. The surface of a former
tailings pond was recultivated. The treated water is used to irrigate the newly
vegetated area. A specially developed computer-based data bank is supporting the
centralized safety and rehabilitation management of sites, which are potentially
hazardous to health and environment.
A manual for securing, restoration and reclamation of mining sites was elaborated,
which has since been serving the authorities and mine operators as a guideline
and decision aid.
•
Socio-economic and environmental risk assessments for three mining
locations in Durango
•
Design and operation of passive-biological water treatment plant
•
•
Recultivation planning for former tailings pond
Development of a computer-based database of contaminated sites and for
remediation planning
Elaboration of an handbook for remediation and rehabilitation of mining sites
•
Period: 2008 - 2010
Contact person: Dr. André Gerth
Figure: Passive-biological water treatment plant (left) and recultivation area (right) at silver mine La Parrilla in
Durango
Deutscher Platz 5
D- 04103 Leipzig, Germany
+49 -341 / 224 58 30
+49 -341 / 224 58 31
[email protected]
www.bioplanta-leipzig.de