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ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OIL SHALE EXCAVATION IN ESTONIAN GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Kalmer SokmanKalmer Sokman Estonian Oil Shale Mining Company,
AS Eesti Põlevkivi, Department of Environment, Estonia
Sergei Sabanov & Helena LindTallinn University of Technology, Department of Mining, Estonia
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Ida-Virumaa - Oil Shale land
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Mined out area and wastes from oil shale enrichment
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Objectives
The The aimaim of the study is to assess of the study is to assess the environmental impact different the environmental impact different methods of oil shale excavation methods of oil shale excavation under geological conditions of under geological conditions of Estonian deposit in comparison with Estonian deposit in comparison with other kinds of production other kinds of production
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Environmental problems accompanied Environmental problems accompanied with OIL SHALE extractionwith OIL SHALE extraction
Ground surface subsidence
Waste water
Waste dump
Emission to airNoiseSurface fluctuation
Groundwater level decreasing
New landscape
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Methodology EIA
Inventory data analysisInventory data analysis
Data collection and description of unit processesData collection and description of unit processes forfor surface and underground mining methodssurface and underground mining methods
Classification of Classification of impact categories and impact categories and environmental interventionsenvironmental interventions
Acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicityAcidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicity
Land use and geological disturbanceLand use and geological disturbance
Mine water pollutionMine water pollution
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Characterisation factors and reference value Characterisation factors and reference value for acidification and terrestrial eutrophicationfor acidification and terrestrial eutrophication
Impact category Emission Unit Factors for Estonia SO2 0.369 NO2 0.194
Acidification
NH3
eq/kg
0.405
Impact category Emission Unit Factors for Estonia NO2 1.483 Terrestrial
eutrophication
NH3
eq/kg 4.418
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Results of acidificationAcidification
0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.01
0.012
0.014
0.016
0.018
Viru mine Estonia mine Aidu Narva
eq
/to
n
SO2 NOx NH3
Acidification
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.2
Auxiliary material Mining Transportation
eq
/to
n
SO2 NOx NH3
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Results of terrestrial eutrophication
Terrestrial eutrophication
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.2
Mining Auxiliary material Transportation
eq
/to
n
Nox NH3
Terrestrial eutrophication
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
Viru mine Estonia mine Aidu Narva
eq
/to
n
NOx NH3
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Chronic terrestrial ecotoxicity
Chronic terrestrial ecotoxicity
0
0.0001
0.0002
0.0003
0.0004
0.0005
0.0006
Excavation process Auxiliary material
m3
/to
n
Cu,Pb, Ni
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Geological disturbance by ground surface subsidence
0123456789
10
Time of excavation
Nu
mb
er
of
co
lla
ps
ed
blo
ck
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Geological disturbance by ground surface subsidence
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Mine water pollution Annual water outlet Annual water outlet 150150 - 240 million m3 - 240 million m3
Mining waters don't have major impact on the composition of Mining waters don't have major impact on the composition of natural watersnatural waters
14
56
48
39
19
63
52
53
21
76
69
62
17
76
59
53
15
61
43
37
0
50
100
150
200
250
mil
jon
m3
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
VIRU ESTONIA NARVA AIDU
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Mining water decontaminating
Water decontaminating by flotation:Before ~ 40 mg/l After ~ 6 mg/l.
Sulfate content 500-1000 mg/l
Water quality friendly for fish growing
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Revitalization of excavated area
On area excavated by surface mining formation of new scenery: forest (~ 200 ha/year), lakes, nest.
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Conclusions
Mining causes smaller impacts on Mining causes smaller impacts on acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and acidification, terrestrial eutrophication and ecotoxicity in comparison with production of ecotoxicity in comparison with production of auxiliary materials and transportation of oil auxiliary materials and transportation of oil shale to customers. shale to customers. This method assesses environmental impact This method assesses environmental impact of excavation processes and finds better way of excavation processes and finds better way of doing proposed project. The results of the of doing proposed project. The results of the study will be used for new mines planning in study will be used for new mines planning in according with environmental performances according with environmental performances under geological conditions of Estonian oil under geological conditions of Estonian oil shale deposit. shale deposit.
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