Mining and mineral processing generate various kinds of wastes that must be managed in a safe, rational manner in order to protect the environment. In this regard, significant attention must be paid to the geotechnical stability of surface facilities built to store solid and liquid mining wastes, as well as the chemical stability of these wastes – especially when they are likely to form acid mine drainage (AMD) water or contaminated neutral drainage (CND). The primary objective of the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Environment and Mine Waste Management at École Polytechnique de Montréal and the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) is to study and solve various problems related to the environment and the management of mining wastes. Most of the work involves the development of tools and techniques for the integrated management of different solid and liquid wastes, including the waste rock resulting from mining operations, tailings from the concentrating process and water treatment sludge. For Phase I of the Chair, which was spread out over a five-year period from June 2001 to May 2006, the research program was built around two main axes :

integrated waste management while mines are operating;
restoration of AMD-generating storage sites after mines are closed.

Ten specific research projects, including several interrelated components, were carried out by the Chair’s team. The five-year research program for Phase II, which began in June 2006, is organized around eight separate but complementary projects. These research projects are directed mainly towards the characterization methods of mine tailings and waste rock in the lab and in situ, the development of tools to predict and simulate their behavior in the field, and the evaluation of improved techniques for mine waste disposal and restoration of sites.

The Senior Chairholder (Michel Aubertin from École Polytechnique) and the Associate Chairholder (Bruno Bussière from UQAT) share responsibility for the activities of this Chair which is hosted jointly by École Polytechnique and UQAT. They can also rely on the contribution of numerous collaborators: colleagues professors, research associates, technical staff, as well as several students. The training of highly-qualified personnel is a priority for the Chair and one of its immediate impacts, from which industry benefits. Drs. Aubertin and Bussière developed the research program with the Chair partners in an effort to find practical solutions to the various environmental challenges facing companies. The research projects conducted by the Chair cover geotechnical, hydrogeological, geochemical, operational and environmental dimensions relating to mine waste management.

Contact Information

Department of Applied Science
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
445 Boulevard de l’Université
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
J9X 5E4

Tel.: 819-762-0971, ext. 2531
Fax: 819-797-6672
E-mail: bruno.bussiere@uqat.ca

Web site: http://www.enviro-geremi.polymtl.ca

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