210-7 Collaborative Research to Reduce Mining Environmental Impacts in Peru

Session: Environmental Geochemistry and Health

Presenting Author:

Paul Santi

Authors:

Santi, Paul M.¹, Carbajal, Cesar Carlos², Alejo Zapata, Francisco Domingo³, Taboada Niera, Martin⁴, Yovera Saldarriga, Jose⁵

(1) Colorado School of Mines, Dept Geology & Geological Engineering, Golden, CO, USA, (2) Colorado School of Mines, Geology and Geol Eng, Golden, CO, USA, (3) Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru, (4) Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, Peru, (5) Universidad Nacional Santiago Atúnez de Mayolo, Huaraz, Peru,

Abstract:

Since 2019 we have worked on a series of collaborative research projects with a goal of reducing the environmental impacts from small and medium scale mining in Perú.  Starting first with the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa and later adding the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo and the Universidad Nacional Santiago Atúnez de Mayolo, the Colorado School of Mines has coordinated teams of researchers with scientists from all universities to tackle problems specific to smaller mining operations.  While large scale mining is generally well-regulated and must adhere to specific laws to reduce environmental impacts, small and medium scale mines are locally-run, frequently illegal or informal, and generally lack regulatory oversight or incentive for compliance to environmental standards.  Of the 20 research projects completed by our groups, over half have focused on reduction of mining contamination and wastes.  Seven more projects are currently underway.  Typical environmental impacts from this scale of mining include water contamination by cyanide, mercury, metals, sulfides, and sediment; dust and leaching of metals from tailings and slag piles; competition for water supply with other industries; and safety issues for surrounding communities and translocated workers.  Research to address these problems includes one or more phases of research in 1) membrane distillation systems for recycling cyanide from gold mining tailings, 2) conversion of tailings to several types of construction materials, 3) reprocessing of slag to recover economically valuable residual metals and implement better reclamation methods, 4) enhancement of performance of passive wetlands for pH management and reduction of metals content, 5) modeling of current and future watershed scale water quality and supply, 6) identification and management of increased exposure to geologic hazards from in-migration of workers and unregulated development, and 7) integration of tools for community engagement and conflict resolution.  Research has led to pilot-scale implementation of new technologies, community meetings to improve research directions and to apply research findings, enhancement of the research culture and building research capacity of Peruvian faculty, and over 60 journal publications.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-6600

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