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Content archived on 2024-04-19

ENVIRONMENTAL SIMULATION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY

Objective


The project developed an environmental simulation and impact assessment system in order to facilitate an understanding of the interaction between minerals extraction and the environment. The research partners investigated effective modelling techniques which allow for the temporal, spatial and uncertainty properties of environmental impacts and incorporated these techniques in an environmental impact modelling system. The system developed utilises a Geographic Information System (GIS) as its spatial database for input, output and spatial operations. Environmental impacts have both spatial and temporal components. As the temporal modelling capabilities of GIS are limited, numerical models for the simulation of environmental impacts were developed and integrated with the GIS. The environmental impact categories considered included air pollution, blasting vibration, groundwater quality, river water quality, and heavy metal contamination in soil and plants. A common Graphical User Interface (GUI) to input/output environmental data and to run the simulation models within GIS was also developed and integrated with the system.
The broad aim of this research is to facilitate an understanding of the interaction between minerals extraction and the environment. Minerals extraction often has very direct impacts upon the environment, but it is an activity without which modern society could not function. As the environmental impacts of human actions are now a major concern to society, the minerals extraction industry has to investigate and implement methods to alleviate and rectify negative impacts of its actions.

To this end, it is proposed to develop an environmental simulation and impact assessment system which will enable greater accuracy and speed in determining the environmental effect of a mining project. The system would use a geographic information system (GIS) as its spatial database for input, output and spatial operations. Effective modelling techniques which allow for the temporal, spatial and uncertainty properties of environmental impacts will be investigated and incorporated into the system. From this, a methodology is to be established to help the process of alleviating and rectifying the impacts of minerals extraction, and to provide an information management tool to the industry.

The prototype development will be based on the possible impacts of mineral extraction at two industrial partners' sites and will build upon their experience in environmental monitoring and control. It is belived that the system will enhance industry's capability for monitoring, modelling and mapping of environmental features and processes.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
EU contribution
No data
Address
Prince Consort Road
SW7 2BP London
United Kingdom

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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Participants (3)

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