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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile)

  • Fernando A. Álvarez

    (Mining Business School, ENM, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta CP 1270709, Chile
    Administration Department, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth J. Lam & Italo L. Montofré & Fernando A. Álvarez & Natalia F. Gaete & Diego A. Poblete & Rodrigo J. Rojas, 2020. "Methodology to Prioritize Chilean Tailings Selection, According to Their Potential Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3948-:d:366435
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Garcia, Patricio & Knights, Peter F. & Tilton, John E., 2001. "Labor productivity and comparative advantage in mining:: the copper industry in Chile," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 97-105, June.
    2. Elizabeth J. Lam & Vicente Zetola & Yendery Ramírez & Ítalo L. Montofré & Franco Pereira, 2020. "Making Paving Stones from Copper Mine Tailings as Aggregates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-14, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Orellana & Andrés Cumsille & Paula Piña-Gangas & Claudia Rojas & Alejandra Arancibia & Salvador Donghi & Cristian Stuardo & Patricio Cabrera & Gabriela Arancibia & Franco Cárdenas & Felipe Sal, 2022. "Economic Evaluation of Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Urban Soils in Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Carlos Cacciuttolo & Edison Atencio, 2022. "Past, Present, and Future of Copper Mine Tailings Governance in Chile (1905–2022): A Review in One of the Leading Mining Countries in the World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-41, October.

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