Introduction

In the Peruvian Andes, the Callejón de Huaylas, a high valley between the Cordillera Negra and Cordillera Blanca on the west side of Huascaran National Park, has been a site of intense mining activity. As a result, throughout the valley there are many mine tailing sites both abandoned and active. The residents of the town of Ticapampa, 31 kilometers south of Huaraz, have expressed concern over dust and water pollution from a nearby site. They wish to revegetate this location and have approached Universidad Nacional de Ancash "Santiago Antunez de Mayolo", Facultad de Ciencias del Ambiente (UNASAM) about this project. This institution has been associated with the Faculty of Environmental Design Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary since 1987.

In the immediate vicinity of Ticapampa there are four mine tailing sites. The site that concerns the residents is large.(roughly 250 x 30 x 5 m3). It is situated upwind of the town centre in the Rio Santa flood plain. A smaller tailings deposit exists seven kilometers to the south in the pasture of a small farming cooperative. On the east side of the river are two additional sites one of which is associated with the active processing plant belonging to UNASAM.

These sites have environmental hazards typical of mine tailings. Untreated, they do not support plant life. The residual material is predominantly silica and pyrite with no organic material. Contact with the atmosphere causes oxidization creating strongly acidic compounds on the surface. As well the runoff is acidic and rich in heavy metals. It contaminates surface and ground waters.

This project will have elements of research, training, and employment of Peruvian scientists and students from four faculties at UNASAM - Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science and Mining Engineering. As well it will involve the local community and the mining industry. The project will be divided into three phases:

• Pilot study at the Cooperative site
• Active reclamation of the Ticapampa site
• Inventory and assessment of other sites in the Callejón de Huaylas.

This proposal is designed to support only phase I, the pilot study, as results from this phase will profoundly effect the cost and strategies in subsequent phases.

Phase I - Pilot Study at the Cooperative Site

This an interdisciplinary project and although presented here as five components it is intended that all parties will work in close conjunction.

1. Under the direction of Prof. Edmé Landeo Alvarez an environmental assessment will be completed around the Cooperative site to measure the level of contamination. This will include analysis of soil, groundwater and vegetation samples taken from the location. As well, agricultural produce (dairy products, wool) from the cooperative will be analyzed to understand potential health risks to consumers.
2. Under the direction of Prof. Edgardo Ramirez a soil enrichment and vegetation testing program will be undertaken. This program will determine the amount of soil additives and types of vegetation (including native species) that will grow on reclaimed sites such as these.
3. Under the direction of Prof. Pablo Espinosa Tumialán the possibility of reworking the site will be investigated. As this might have economic value we will be looking to partners in the mining industry to cover the cost of assaying samples. As well, using the UNASAM processing facility, Prof. Espinosa will investigate methods of reducing the amount of mine tailings.
4. Methods of reusing the mine tailings will be investigated. In particular, Prof. Marco Silva Lindo will consider using the material in the construction industry. Since this will require detoxification he will work with Prof. Pablo Espinosa Tumialán.
5. Since the pilot project will affect the residents of the Cooperative and ultimately the residents of Ticapampa, they will be included in the planning, discussions about and findings of phase I.

The pilot phase will take a year to complete. Monthly discussion involving all important parties will occur in order to keep the project on schedule and to promote the exchange of ideas and results. The findings of phase I will affect the strategies and costs of future phases.

Personnel

Project Scientists

Profesora Edme Landeo Alvarez
Universidad Nacional de Ancash "Santiago Antunez de Mayolo"
Facultad de Ciencias del Ambiente
Av. Centenario #200,
Huaraz, Peru
tel./fax.:(044) 721431

Prof. Edgrado Ramirez
Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias
same address as above

Prof. Pablo Espinosa Tumialán
Facultad de Ingeniería de Minas, Geología y Metalurgía
same address as above

Prof. Marco Silva Lindo
Facultad de Ingeniería Civil
same address as above

Project Advisor

Dr. Dixon Thompson
Faculty of Environmental Design,
University of Calgary,
Calgary, Canada

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Last updated: 01-Apr-97

This webpage was written and designed by D. Neil Bird.
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