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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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