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Geotechnical News • June 2014
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WASTE GEOTECHNICS
tive and numerical modelling of the
behaviour of geomaterials, reclaiming
acid generating tailings and develop-
ing cover systems using tailings rather
than soil. The need to further investi-
gate issues related to the environment
and mine wastes management grew
to the point that a major concentrated
effort involving academia and industry
needed to be established.
In May 2001, after nearly two years
of exchanges and preparation, the
NSERC Polytechnique-UQAT Indus-
trial Research Chair (IRC) in Environ-
ment and Mine Wastes Management
was established as a collective effort
between Université du Québec en
Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and
École Polytechnique de Montréal,
supported by Barrick Gold Corp.,
Noranda (now GlenmoreXstrata
plc), Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., Aur
Resources Inc., Dessau-Soprin Inc.,
Golder Associates Ltd., Inmet Mining
Corp., SNC-Lavalin Inc., McWatters
Mining Inc., BHP Billiton and Quebec
Iron and Titanium (now Rio Tinto).
Aubertin was appointed the Senior
Chairholder for the five-year program,
which was successfully renewed for
a second phase in 2006. Bussière
from UQAT was appointed the Junior
Chairholder for the program in 2001
and was later appointed Associate
Chairholder in 2006.
“The [IRC] research work aimed at
developing tools and techniques for
the characterization, modeling and
evaluation of various mine wastes and
of management and reclamation prac-
tices… [to] lead to improved practices
for solid and liquid waste disposal,”
says Aubertin. Between 2001 and
2006, the IRC revolved around two
broad research themes: i) waste man-
agement during mining operations and
ii) closure and reclamation of disposal
sites. From 2006 to 2012, the research
focused on integrating mine closure
aspects with actual mine operation
issues. The program was then struc-
tured around eight main research
projects: 1) improved surface disposal
of tailings; 2) optimizing surface
disposal of waste rock; 3) disposal in
mine openings; 4) properties of acid
mine drainage treatment sludge; 5) use
of wastes on mine sites; 6) water qual-
ity prediction; 7) evaluation of cover
systems; and 8) passive treatment
systems. These projects have been
summarized in a keynote presentation
and in the Proceedings of the Tailings
and Mine Waste 2013 Conference held
in Banff, Alberta (see
www.ostrf.com/
TMW)
.
The impact of the IRC program span-
ning from 2001 to 2012 is substantial.
Over 140 graduate students and 20
undergraduate students were trained
and conducted research in projects
directly related to the IRC program.
Upon graduation, these students
became the much needed specialists
in mine waste management, geotech-
nique, hydrogeology and geochemistry
to tackle the reclamation challenges
in the mining industry. Eight of the
PhD graduates and postdoctoral fel-
lows have gone on to obtain faculty
positions at various universities, while
many others occupy key positions in
industry. “My greatest satisfaction is
seeing former students be in posi-
tions to take action or make decisions
to improve mine waste management
to protect the environment. I’m very
proud to have been part of their train-
ing,” says Aubertin.
The IRC collaboration with research-
ers in Canada, France, Belgium, Aus-
tralia, Mexico, Morocco, and Tunisia
resulted in an impressive 300 publi-
cations (120 peer reviewed journal
papers, 160 conference papers and 20
technical reports), making significant
contributions to the international min-
ing community and state of practice.
Additionally, Aubertin and Bussière,
with the help of many colleagues,
have promoted technology transfer
from the IRC program through hosting
symposia, conferences, workshops,
seminars, short courses and graduate
courses.
Another important contribution of the
IRC program was the groundwork it
laid that led to the creation of RIME
UQAT-Polytechnique. Aubertin is the
Director of RIME-Polytechnique with
Bussière as the Director of RIME-
UQAT. RIME, which is pronounced
“rhyme”, was established in April
2013 and is supported with fund-
ing from federal and provincial
governmental agencies and several
mining companies. “RIME UQAT-
Polytechnique targets the development
of environmental solutions for the
entire mine life cycle. With a value of
nearly $10 million provided by mining
companies over seven years, it can be
expected that this innovative partner-
ship will produce a top-notch research
program and train a large number of
highly qualified professionals,” says
Aubertin.
“We have gone a long way in improv-
ing waste management in the last 25
years, but mining is still facing major
challenges. If we want the population
to maintain their support toward min-
ing operations, industry must continue
to invest on the development of tech-
nologies to close mines in the right
state. This is usually well understood
by the major players, which invest in
research to understand the problems
and ensure we achieve our goals.”
For more information on RIME
UQAT-Polytechnique, visit
http://
rime-irme.ca.