Project Completion Report:
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Wenshan Arsenic Mining Remediation
Wenshan Arsenic Mining Remediation
•
Project Details:
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Location:
Wenshan County,
Yunnan Province,
China
Contaminant:
Arsenic
Project Duration:
May 2007 – June 2009
Project Cost:
$120,000 (including
equivalent of $80,000
contributed by the local
government)
Implementing
Partners
Yunnan Environmental
Protection Bureau
(EPB); Wenshan
County
Other Partners:
Millipede Foundation of
Hong Kong
Project Details:
• Project Details:
Location:
Wenshan County,
Yunnan Province,
Location
Wenshan County,
Yunnan Province,
China
Contaminant:
Arsenic
Contaminant
Arsenic in the Water
Project Duration:
May 2007 – June 2009
Supply
Project
Duration
May 2007—June 2009
Project Cost:
China
CHINA
YUNNAN PROVINCE
WENSHAN
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Performance Metrics:
Toxin
Arsenic
Affected
Population
8,600
Exposure
0.05 mg/L
CHINA
$120,000 (including
Standards
Project
Cost of $80,000$120,000 (incl. $80,000
equivalent
contributed by the local
contributed from the
government)
YUNNAN PROVINCE
Implementing
Partners
Other Partners:
!
local government)
Implementing
Yunnan Environmental
Yunnan Environmental
Partners
Protection Bureau Protection Bureau
(EPB); Wenshan
(EPB); Wenshan
County
County; Millipede
Millipede Foundation of
Foundation of Hong
Hong Kong
Kong
Levels Prior
to Project
WENSHAN
1.07 mg/L
Levels
Following
Completion
0.04 mg/L
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o Background and Scope:
This project was initiated in late 2006 in collaboration between Blacksmith Institute and
the Yunnan Environmental Protection Bureau. The key problem identified was the
contamination of local water supplies, high in the headwaters of several major river
systems, a result of small abandoned metal mines and processing facilities. The local
pollution problems are severe, and because heavy metals do not degrade in the
environment, erosion of these materials adds to the cumulative pollution load on the river
system. The objective was to develop practical approaches for a typical case in
collaboration with the Yunnan and local EPBs, which would serve as a model for other
mountain villages with similar problems. The project was structured to provide direction
and momentum for a wider effort by the Province to address mining pollution and water
contamination challenges.
The primary focus of this work was to protect public health, as these sites discharge
toxic metal contamination into local waterways that are sources of drinking water for
local populations.
o Solution Implemented:
In May 2007, a technical team from Blacksmith, together with officials from Yunnan EPB
and from local governments, made visits to the three mine areas in the mountains.
Engineers and technical staff from the different level governments joined the visiting
specialists for the visits. A detailed report was prepared covering a number of sites in the
three mining counties and it was agreed that the pilot remediation would be implemented
at one particular site, known as Wenshan no.4. The major works implemented were a
retaining wall to create a stable tailings storage area, together with the installation of an
impermeable lining to the area. The dumped arsenic residues were then moved to this
secure area and placed in compacted layers to ensure stability. The surface of the
completed storage area was vegetated, using local species suited to the conditions, and
drainage ditches were installed along the sides of the final storage area to divert away
the surface water flows. Controls to access were also put in place to prevent
unauthorized access and to deter scavenging of remaining structures.
o Project Performance:
Surface water drainage samples were taken by Wenshan County EPB, at the request of
Blacksmith, to provide a baseline level against which the post-remediation contamination
could be compared. The reported arsenic concentration in the drainage from the site
before the works was 1.07mg/L, which was more than twenty times above the limit
(0.05mg/L). The arsenic content in the drainage systems after remediation was
0.048mg/L, according to tests by the local EPB, and therefore is now just within the
limits. The authorities are planning a program of sampling during the rainy season, which
will provide a better picture of the success of the works in containing the contamination
and reducing off site transport.
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oArsenic
Outcomes
and Follow Up:
Concentration in Wenshan Surface Water
Baseline
•
•
Post-remediation
Standard limit
The success
of the pilot.048
project
has been
recognized by the authorities in Yunnan and
1.07 mg/L
mg/L
.05 mg/L
has reinforced the value of the approaches and the potential for developing the broader
program.
A large part of the success of the pilot is due to the commitment and efforts of
Outcomes and Follow-up:
the Wenshan County Government, with the backing of Wenshan Prefecture and the
The success of the pilot project has been recognized by the authorities in Yunnan and has
Province.
According
toandthe
Wenshan
County
EPB,
there
are at least five old smelters in
reinforced the value
of the approaches
the potential
for developing
the broader
program.
A
large part of the success of the pilot is due to the commitment and efforts of the Wenshan
the
county
that
need
to
be
addressed,
and
there
is
an
estimated one million tons of
County Government, with the backing of Wenshan Prefecture and the Province.
polluted
that
needs
to fivebeold smelters
controlled.
Wenshan
Prefecture is preparing a
According to thematerial
Wenshan County
EPB, there
are at least
in the county
that
need to be addressed, and there
is an estimated
one million related
tons of pollutedissues
material thatin
needs
comprehensive
plan
to
address
all
the
affected
counties. The new
to be controlled. Wenshan Prefecture is preparing a comprehensive plan to address related
issues in all thepolicy
affected counties.
The new National policy
on environment
rural
national
on environment
protection
inprotection
rural inareas
provides a favorable context to
areas provides a favorable context to move ahead on remediation efforts. Blacksmith and the
move
ahead
on the
remediation
efforts.
Blacksmith
the Yunnan EPB are continuing the
Yunnan EPB
are continuing
dialogue with Wenshan
Prefecture
and County aboutand
possible
ways to provide technical and financial support to the remediation efforts. The team will also
dialogue
with
Wenshan
Prefecture
and
County
about
follow up with the Provincial authorities on the lessons learned from the project work and how possible ways to provide technical
these lessons could be applied more broadly.
and
financial support to the remediation efforts. The team will also follow up with the
Provincial authorities on the lessons learned from the project work and how these
Pictures:
lessons
could be applied more broadly.
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2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035 | t: 646.742.0200 | f: 212.779.8044 | www.blacksmithinstitute.o
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2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035 | t: 646.742.0200 | f: 212.779.8044 | www.blacksmithinstitute.org
!
!
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2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035 | t: 646.742.0200 | f: 212.779.8044 | www.blacksmithinstitute.
2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035 | t: 646.742.0200 | f: 212.779.8044 | www.blacksmithinstitute.org
!
2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035 | t: 646.742.0200 | f: 212.779.8044 | www.blacksmithinstitute.org
!
2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035 | t: 646.742.0200 | f: 212.779.8044 | www.blacksmith
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