Environmental studies at a Finnish gold mine

Event Details

Date:

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Time:

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Room:

Level 7 Vis Lab

UQ Location:

Sir James Foots Building (St Lucia)

Event category(s):

Full Description:: Geological Survey of Finland specialists Soile Backnäs and Kaisa Turunen are presenting a seminar on the use of natural wetlands at an underground gold mine in northern Finland to delay the flow of pre-treated mine dewatering and process effluent waters. This process improves the water quality before it is released off site. They will discuss the research they have undertaken at Kittilä mine, one of the largest known gold deposits in Europe. This work aimed to distinguish geogenic and anthropogenic emissions to the environment. Ms Backnäs and Ms Turunen analysed water chemistry and used water quality monitoring and hydrological profiling to determine the effects of mine water discharges to downstream waters.

Ms Backnäs is a research scientist and is the leader of international ERA-MIN funded SUSMIN project that is developing tools and technologies for sustainable gold mining in Europe.

Ms Turunen is a geologist with national and international projects aiming for eco-efficient mining.