Prediction of long-term salt generation from coal mine spoils

Speaker:  Karan Jain, Environmental Enginner/Geochemist, Mine Waste Management/Sustainable Minerals Institute

Abstract:  Successful closure and rehabilitation of coal mines, including management of final voids and pit lakes, requires an understanding of the rates of salt release over time from spoil piles. Currently, there is not enough site data to derive and validate models to predict salt loads. This presentation will focus on estimating long-term salinity generation rates from different classes of mine spoil and spoil pile configuration that can be used in conjunction with water balance models to predict seepage rates.

Bio:  Karan Jain is an Environmental Engineer at Mine Waste Management Pty Ltd (MWM) where he focuses on providing geochemical and environmental support for mineral resources industry. Karan is also affiliated with The University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute where he is finishing his PhD. Throughout his PhD and work experience, Karan has been involved in understanding the salinity generation and release dynamics from Queensland coal mine spoils.