Itrc – Improving Regulatory Acceptance for New Approaches to Mine Waste Issues

Historical and current practices have led to operating sites with mine waste issues that must be addressed when operations cease. Typical remedial solutions are often lengthy and expensive, and are unacceptable to the mining community, the regulatory community and to the public. Some mined sites contain enough residual mineralization that further development, remining and subsequent reclamation may be economically feasible. Some current operations may even have the infrastructure in place to co-manage the cleanup of legacy waste while in operation. However, current regulations often provide barriers to these approaches. Innovative approaches and technologies need to be developed and implemented at current and former mining projects that solve our environmental issues and remove existing regulatory barriers.  To help achieve this goal, the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) started a team to address mine waste issues in 2007.

The ITRC is a state-led, national coalition helping regulatory agencies, site owners, technology developers and vendors achieve better environmental protection through the use of innovative technologies. Through open communication among the 50 member states, federal, industrial, and stakeholder partners, ITRC is streamlining and standardizing the regulatory approval process for better, more cost-effective technologies. ITRC receives funding from the Departments of Defense and Energy, as well as the US Environmental Protection Agency. 

The mine waste team has written a white paper and has collected case studies focused on the treatment of mining influenced water and solid waste.  The team will evaluate technologies and produce a technical and regulatory guidance document and a related free internet training on the document. To avoid duplication, the ITRC has estblished a memorandum of understanding with the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI) to cooperate and coordinate activities.