Environmental risk assessment

The goal of risk assessment is to use scientific methods to predict potential impacts in the future. Modelling should be based on scientific knowledge. Only a sufficiently good forecast will help to focus on management actions for maximum benefit.

We provide the following expertise:

  • Consideration of site geology in risk assessment 
  • Assessment of activity and emissions that cause metal contamination    
  • Assessment of the metal contamination in the soil   
  • Assessment of metal accumulation in surface water and sediments  
  • Assessment of water flow routes and metal contamination in soil water and groundwater 

Solid practical experience

  • Assessment and forecasting of mines' waterway impacts must be based on researched information. Studies conducted near old mines, and method developments are a good fbasis for GTK's service studies on mine water and leachate. 
  • GTK's environmental risk assessment has been developed through multi-disciplinary co-operation. The network comprises representatives of different fields of science, such as geochemistry, geology, biogeochemistry, ecology, environmental sciences, toxicology, epidemiology and risk analysis experts. 
 

Active sulphide mine tailings impoundments as sources of contaminated drainage

In this thesis factors causing the pollution were investigated in two coeval active sulphide mine sites in Finland: the Hitura Ni mine and the Luikonlahti Cu-Zn-Co-Ni mine and talc processing plant.
Studies include comprehensive hydrogeochemical characterisation of tailings seepages, surrounding aquifers and surface waters. Detailed and spatial mineralogical and geochemical studies were employed to assess the geochemical processes within the tailings responsible for the low quality mine drainage from the impoundments. Based on the results, observations pertinent to future assessment and mine drainage prevention from existing and future mine sites are presented.

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Geochemistry in the characterisation and management of environmental impacts of sulfide mine sites

Contaminative drainage from mine sites, and particularly from mine waste deposits, may pose risks to surface waters. Therefore, mine site risk assessment and management require knowledge of the whole series of processes from mine drainage formation to contaminant transport and the eventual ecological effects. The paper summarizes some of the recent studies by the Geological Survey of Finland covering these issues.

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Links to contents/services related to the subject: 

arrow Environmental impact assessments related to the mining industry

Contact our experts:

Chief Scientist Tommi Kauppila, tommi.kauppila_gtk.fi
Environmental Geologist Maria Nikkarinen, maria.nikkarinen_gtk.fi