University of Alaska Mineral Industry Research Laboratory
Abstract
Environmental factors affecting mining are difficult to establish in Alaska due to the absence of large scale hard rock mining activities at the present time. Currently, experience is gathered from (and to a large degree based on) construction of above ground facilities such as roads, pipelines, and buildings. Past mining activities appear to have had little lasting effect on the natural environment, the exceptions being mine tailings and surface structures. This report, sponsored by the U. S. Bureau of Mines, present general engineering activities, considers the interaction of permafrost and underground mining, summarizes available literature and indicates possible environmental problems that might be encountered in Alaska based on Scandinavian experiences in large-scale northern mining operations. How the Scandinavians are solving their problems is also discussed.This paper was sponsored by the U. S. Bureau of Mines, Contract No. 0133059.Abstract -- Acknowledgements -- Table of contents -- List of illustrations -- List of tables -- Introduction -- Climatic parameters -- Alaska climatic regions -- Construction and mining activities in the Arctic -- General -- Cold weather construction practices -- Permafrost and underground mining operations -- Environmental considerations -- Mining and exploration parameters -- Conclusions -- Recommendations -- Bibliography -- Appendices -- Appendix A: Bibliography - Lost River area -- Appendix B: Mining and environmental considerations as practiced in Norway and Sweden -- Appendix C: Mining vs. the environment -- Figure 1. Alaska climatic regions -- Figure 2. Index map showing mining districts examined -- List of tables -- Table 1. Dates of break-up and freeze-up
