Risk assessment of the potential ecological and geochemical hazard of the functioning of mining complexes

The aim of this work is to present a methodology for assessing the potential ecological and geochemical hazard of environmental pollution during the creation of new and functioning of existing mining complexes using the example of studying representative objects. The objects were selected according to the principle of the most saturated deposits, which serve as the core of mining complexes, toxic elements and the scale of mineralization, i.e. reserves of the deposits themselves. The methodology for assessing potential ecological and geochemical hazards is based on the following three principles: hierarchical approach; significance of the assessments; objectivity of information. The first involves the comparison of proportionate units, because the calculation of risk is carried out in points. The significance of the assessments was achieved by using those factors that can have a significant impact on the environment during the development of the deposit and determine the degree of sustainability of the natural environment when exploration territories. The objectivity of information was achieved by using the necessary and sufficient number of factors for assessing the risk of exploration and development of deposits and a significant amount of data obtained from the results of ecological and geochemical work with appropriate metrological support and laboratory analytical studies only in accredited centers. The methodology involves taking into account the totality of natural and technogenic environmental impact factors when developing solid mineral deposits, ranking them by importance and actually their integral assessment. As a result of the study of a large number of mining objects, according to our own and published data, by the method of expert assessments, the main factors of the influence of the developed deposits on the environment located in various natural conditions were established. Among these factors, 4 groups are distinguished: mineralogenic, landscape, hydrogeological and technogenic