Ecology and mining industry development in high-mountain areas (the Inner Tien Shan)

Abstract

The genesis and transformation in time of risks in the areas of high altitude tailings storage facilities with respect to changing climate are considered. Based on the example of the Kumtor mine in the center of the Tien Shan at a height of 3600-4300 m, three groups of risk factors were allocated concerning a large, ecologically hazardous facility - the tailings dam containing cyanide waste. For one of the factors, calculations of an accidental dam burst were made using the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method. It was concluded that the construction of large-scaled and geoenvironmentally hazardous facilities in less researched high-mountain areas has to be be drawn upon detailed and permanent monitoring of the facility itself and its environment. It is crucial to be prepared for operational adjustment of projects and an immediate rehabilitation of constructed facilities.