This Web-based Mining Waste Technology Selection site assists project managers in selecting an applicable technology, or suite of technologies, which can be used to remediate mine waste–contaminated sites. The site consists of decision trees, overviews of applicable technologies, case studies where these technologies have been implemented, and regulatory challenges. The decision trees, through a series of questions, guide users to a set of treatment technologies that may be applicable to that particular site situation. Each technology is described, along with a summary of the applicability, advantages, limitations, performance, stakeholder and regulatory considerations, and lessons learned. The technology overviews include information to help project managers decide how well the technology may fit their particular site and remedial/reclamation goals. These technology overviews are not meant to be technical design manuals – this information can be found in other resources (ADTI, GARD Guide). Each technology overview links to case studies where the technology has been implemented.

The first question which must be answered in the decision tree is if a technology is needed which can be implemented immediately. Immediately, in this case, means within a year or two. The implementation time criterion is loosely based on a Superfund removal project. Those situations where a technology must be implemented immediately generally involve mitigating an existing human health or ecological exposure. In some cases, the technology implemented may be a permanent solution to the problem. In other cases, the technology may be an intermediate step, taken to protect public health or the environment, in a longer-term process. In this situation, it is understood that additional, more permanent technologies must be implemented to protect public health and the environment.

Regardless of whether a technology must be implemented immediately or not, the next question presented in the decision tree is whether a technology is needed to address solid mining waste or mining-influenced water. Solid mining waste may present a risk from direct contact with human or ecological receptors. In historic mining areas, there is often little separation between the mining areas and residential areas; thus, people living in these areas are exposed to mining waste on a regular basis. Additionally, solid mine wastes have been used as a product in a variety of ways, including as a building material, for road construction, for driveway construction, as a landscaping material, as soil or agricultural amendments and in numerous other ways. These uses increase the potential for exposure to waste materials. Children or adults may be exposed through their daily activities to mine wastes that have been used for driveway fill, as a landscaping material, or for other uses in residential areas. Additionally, mine wastes that have been brought into residential areas or other areas frequented by people can be carried indoors through tracking. Once mine wastes have been brought indoors, the potential for children to be exposed increases. Removal of the waste material is the preferred technology, generally through removal of carpeting and other soft surfaces and vacuuming hard-surface flooring with HEPA vacuums. For this type of removal to be effective, there should be a strong health education component for residents.