Use of post-mining underground space for waste disposal

Abstract

Until the last decade, economic growth was supposed to be limited by the scarcity of earth resources. Today we are understanding that the real constraint is the ability of the environment to absorb waste by-products.

ln the pursuit for reliable solutions to the problem of waste storage (of urban, industrial, toxic and radioactive types) appropriate consideration must be attributed to operating and abandoned mines, for a series of advantages.

The geomechanical methods for the long term stability and water containment of those excavations are discussed, and several options are discussed in view of their waste storage capabilities.

Furthermore, design concepts for underground mines that in the future will store waste are proposed, because they may provide an additional economic help for the mining industry.