Ministry Environment,

GUIDANCE FOR
Lands and of Parks

ASSESSING THE DESIGN, SIZE AND

OPERATION OF SEDIMENTATION PONDS USED
IN MINING

DRAFT

Rock drains under coal spoil piles and waste

Introduction
rock dumps exhibit sediment buffering
Contaminated surface runoff from disturbed capacity. The diversion of sediment
areas of operating mines is a major source of contaminated drainage into a rock drain may
suspended solids, which can adversely affect result in the drain’s design capacity being
the receiving environment around these mines exceeded and should never be undertaken
i
. The disturbed areas are usually large and without the approval of the design engineer
include such works as the mine pits, and the mines inspector.
benefaction plants and related facilities, mine
dumps, tailings ponds roads, ditches, etc. It is It should be emphasized that the success of the
the responsibility of each mining company to control of contaminated surface runoff
collect and treat the contaminated runoff from depends primarily on the success of the above
its operating area before allowing it to be techniques in reducing the contaminants
discharged into natural watercourses. Most of entering the sedimentation ponds to
the sediment in the contaminated surface reasonably low values. Sedimentation (or
runoff should be controlled by various settling) ponds should serve to polish the
techniques of erosion control, surface runoff contaminated surface runoff to the required
control, and reclamation, as outlined in the effluent guideline or permit standard.
Mines Regulation Guidelines, and in Sedimentation ponds may also be required to
publications listed in Appendix A to this remove considerable amounts of sediment for
document. extended periods when other erosion control,
or sediment control methods cannot be
DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

employed, or for relatively short periods of regulation such as the (proposed) Industrial
heavy storm runoff or spring runoff. Pollution Prevention Regulation.
Particularly during such periods, approved A permit or an order will be issued by the
settling aids may be needed to reduce the Regional Waste Manager when environmental
concentration of fine suspended particles in considerations require a more stringent waste
the pond effluent. Prior to using settling aids, discharge standards than normal standards in a
the permitee must obtain the written approval regulation.
of the Regional Waste Manager. The Regional
Waste Manager will require the necessary Experience has shown that extensive logging
information on which to base the approval, or overburden stripping prior to surface
particularly the 96 Hour LC50 concentration mining operations can result in greatly
of the settling aid(s)ii,iii,iv and details of the increased contamination of the surface runoff.
settling aid selection v,vi,vii,viii,ix, addition rate The sediment-laden surface run-off then
ix,x
(and control method), mixing conditions becomes the responsibility of the mining
v,vi,vii
and conditioning time/facilities. Details company. Accordingly, the mining company
of settling aids are included in APPENDIX B. should not allow more than the minimum
possible area to be logged or stripped, and this
The discharge from sedimentation ponds x, xi is work should be done progressively.
currently regulated by Waste Management Experience has also shown that, although the
Permits for Effluents issued by the Regional principle of diverting uncontaminated surface
Waste Manager of the Ministry of runoff around mining operation is desirable,
Environment, Lands and Parks. Standards the diversions themselves must be properly
contained in the Effluent Permits typically designed, constructed, and maintained,
restrict the concentrations of suspended solids otherwise they may cause serious
in pond discharges to within the range of 25 to contamination of surface runoff.
75 mg/L, Non-filterable Residue (TSS). The
standards depend on the sensitivity of the
receiving environment and downstream water Vegetation “buffer zones” have been used to
uses, or as otherwise suggested by any site assist in protecting receiving waters. Where it
specific Water Quality Objective. The is not practical to leave a buffer of natural
provincial Ambient Water Quality Guidelines vegetation between the disturbed area and the
(Criteria) for Turbidity, Suspended and drainage channel, revegetation of the disturbed
Benthic Sediments xii should also be consulted. area at the earliest opportunity is strongly
Contingent on the up-gradient activity recommended.
(blasting, fuel storage, milling etc.) the permit
may also contain limits on hydrocarbons, Sedimentation Ponds have been constructed
metals and nutrients in the pond effluent. “in-stream” and “out-of-stream”. “In-stream”
ponds, requiring dams across watercourses,
The Ministry is presently moving away from have successfully removed sediment from the
permits towards managing waste discharges contaminated runoff produced in large
through focused regulation. This may take the disturbed areas. “Out-of-stream” ponds,
form of a clause in the Conditional Exemption normally formed in flat areas, have
Regulation or an industry sector specific successfully removed sediment from

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

contaminated runoff resulting from smaller 2. The design flow for removal of
disturbed areas such as waste dumps, etc. suspended solids in sedimentation ponds
should correspond to the 10-year, 24-hour
These Guidelines supplement similar
flood flow. Rainfall, snow melt, and
guidelines developed by the Ministry of
combined rainfall-snow melt events should be
Energy and Mines in December 1983, titled
considered in determining the design flow.
“Guidelines for the Design, Construction,
Operation and Abandonment of Tailings 3. Accurate and up-to-date topographical
Impoundments”. The principles for the design, maps should be used for the design and
construction, operation, reclamation and construction of sedimentation ponds, and
abandonment outlined in the latter Guidelines these maps should have a maximum of 2
also apply to sedimentation ponds. metre contours. (For very large facilities in
steep terrain, 5 metre contours may be
The reader’s attention is directed to literature
xiii,xiv,xv,xvi adequate)
in the section on “References”
which provides more detail on erosion control. 4. Sedimentation ponds should either last
Erosion control is considered to be an the lifetime of the mine without requiring
essential component to reducing the sediment removal of accumulated sediment, or should
entering the settling pond, and therefore have provision for easy removal of sediment at
possibly reducing the amount of unsettleable regular intervals. Normally a pond is allowed
particles leaving the settling pond or to fill with sediment up to 50% of its effective
eliminating the need for settling aids. depth, with 1.5 m (minimum)xvii depth of pond
liquid above the sediment.
5. Ideally, a smaller pond should be
General Guidelines for Assessing located upstream from the main sedimentation
Sedimentation Pond Design pond to remove the coarse fraction of the
sediment. This smaller pond should be
designed to have easy removal of sediment.
Sedimentation ponds should be designed as
follows: 6. The inlet section of the pond should
have some type of energy dissipater (such as
barriers, baffles, etc.) to spread out the flow
1. All structures in the sedimentation and reduce the velocity of the incoming water.
pond system should be designed, as a
7. The discharge section of the pond
minimum, to withstand a 1 in 200-year flood
should be at the opposite end to the inlet
event. Even using these design criteria, there
section and should have a spillway (or decant
is a 10% chance that the system could fail in a
or discharge riser) designed to maintain a
mine with a 20-year life. Therefore, “over
minimum 0.5 m freeboard on the embankment
design” and back-up construction may be
in a 1 in 200 year flood event. The spillway
required in certain instances such as where
must be armored to prevent erosion of the
there is a high consequence resulting from
spillway channel. Also, there should be
failure (e.g., a sedimentation pond up gradient
provisions in the design for installing facilities
from a school or residential area).

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

for trapping, collecting and removing length to width of about 5 to 1xvii. Such ponds
hydrocarbons. tend to prevent short-circuiting, and facilitate
8. Provisions for adding settling aids removal of accumulated sediment. The
should be incorporated into the design, proponent must investigate the need for
preferably upstream of the pond when additional pond capacity and retention time
flocculants are used, since they require longer due to accumulated sediment volume,
conditioning time than coagulants. Excess turbulence and “currents” in the pond on a
flocculants may adversely affect sedimentation project-specific basis xvii,xviii.
rate and effluent quality requirement for 13. The desired effluent quality from a
suspended solids may not be met if excess sedimentation pond must be assessed in
flocculants are added to the pond. relation to the environmental consequences of
9. Suitable sampling and flow measuring the construction of the requisite sized pond.
facilities must be installed to enable Sedimentation pond size is related to the
monitoring of the pond discharge if required. inverse of the square of the diameter of the
smallest particle that must be captured to
10. Sedimentation ponds should be attain the desired effluent quality. Small
provided with means of draining or improvements in effluent quality thus require
dewatering, even though such operations are large increases in pond sizes.
not planned during the lifetime of the pond.
11. The design and construction of
sedimentation pond embankments: Guidelines for Assessing the Required Size
of Sedimentation Ponds
• greater than 2.5 metres high as measured
from the downstream toe (Canadian Dam
Safety Guidelines), or Three methods for sizing sedimentation ponds
for mine-related applications are presented for
• capable of impounding more than 30,000
consideration. Alternatively, experienced
m3 of water (Canadian Dam Safety
engineers may use other equally effective
Guidelines), or
methods and complex computer models
• having a high consequence to human life designed for urban storm water management
or infrastructure resulting from could be adopted for mine area use.
embankment failure,
must be approved by the Dam Safety Unit,
Method 1 is based on sedimentation tests
Water Management Branch of the Ministry of
prepared from representative soil/runoff
Environment, Lands and Parks or by the
sampling and is the preferred method when
Geotechnical Engineer, Regional Operations.
the smallest effective pond is required.
Health and Safety Branch, of the Ministry of
Method 2 is simplified if the critical particle
Employment and Investment, if the
size to be removed is measured using a
sedimentation pond is on a mine site.
settling method to provide the Stokes
12. The preferred shape of sedimentation diameter. The only information lacking for
ponds is generally rectangular with ratio of Method 2 will be to the answer to the

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

question: “will the fine particles agglomerate have a “zero point of charge” (ZPC) at acidic
‘naturally’ in the pond?” If either Method 1 or pHs (pH ZPC <5.0). This implies that at the
2 are not chosen, a third method, (Method 3) pH expected in most sedimentation ponds, the
can be used which requires the assumption zeta potential will be significantly negative
that the finest settleable particles will be and prevent “natural agglomeration” and
present, thus requiring the maximum retention sedimentation of the fine particles.
time. Method 3 is acceptable where the larger
resulting pond does not cause environmental
problems. Provisions must also be made for If a particle of size “x” mm (and measured
the addition of a sedimentation aid system. settling rate V actual m/hour) is to be removed
by a sedimentation pond of depth D m, the
retention time will be [D/V actual] hours.
The following is a brief description of the Assuming that the settling tests indicate that
three methods. removal of particles of size “x” is required to
meet the necessary discharge quality, the
Method 1. A dependable method for
sedimentation pond area (A m2) is then
designing the required sedimentation pond
equivalent to [Q/V actual] m2, Q being the
retention time is to measure sedimentation
pond overflow rate in m3 / hour. Note that D
rates i,xi and corresponding supernatant TSS
= difference in vertical elevation, in meters,
quality using simulated samples. These
between the inlet and the bottom of the pond
samples should be prepared using the soils
adjacent to the outlet.
and/or mine wastes from the watershed
upstream from the proposed sedimentation
pond location and actual surface water from Sedimentation pond design using settling tests
the area. In addition, soils should be sampled should strive to duplicate any “natural
and analyzed for particle size, mineral agglomeration” that will occur during
composition and Specific Gravity (S.G.), in operation of the pond.
particular the finer particles that are difficult
to settle. Measurement of zeta potential (using Method 2. Assuming the size distribution
the “Zeta” Meter) of these particles in of the influent TSS is known , an alternative
simulated runoff fluid will assist in defining common design approach is to use the settling
whether “natural agglomeration” will be a velocity derived from the Stokes Law formula:
factor. If natural agglomeration is a g
Vs = (S − 1) D 2
significant factor, it will reduce the 18 µ
sedimentation pond area required (or may
eliminate the need for sedimentation aids).
where
Vs = spherical particle terminal settling
The literature v,xix indicates that particle velocity, cm/s
surface charge of greater negativity than -5 2
mV is not conducive to “natural g = acceleration of gravity, 981 cm/s
agglomeration”. Also, many of the minerals µ = kinematic viscosity of water, cm2/s
encountered (clay and silicate minerals) will
S= specific gravity of the particle
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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

D = (Stokes) diameter (cm) of a non- operating in British Columbia. Use of this

interacting particle measured using a settling method is not recommended where there are
method. environmental reasons to have the smallest
effective pond. Any natural agglomeration is
not taken into consideration using this method
The expected concentration and particle size and the resulting pond may be larger than
distribution of suspended solids entering the necessary.
sedimentation pond are used to determine the
smallest particle size (Stokes diameter or
critical diameter) that must be removed to Assume that approximately 5 to 10 micron
meet the effluent guidelines. The critical (and coarser ) particles need to be settled out
settling velocity (Vsc) is then calculated from in the pond, and that the settling velocity will
the formula Vsc =[Q/A] (Vsc = 0.01Vs) and be in the range of 2 x 10-5 to 5 x 10-5 m/s
the pond retention time/area calculated as (assuming the temperature of the fluid in the
shown in Method 1. pond is close to freezing) and then calculate
the sedimentation pond area as is detailed in
The information available (see APPENDIX C)
suggests a 20% to 100% sedimentation pond Method 1. Given a minimum pond depth of
area correction is necessary due to the non- 1.5 m and a settling velocity of 2 x 10-5 m/s
spherical shape of actual mineral particles for fine silt, it will take 21 hours for a particle
when their diameters are measured by a to sink to the bottom of the pond. With this
method which does not utilize settling. practical approach, provision must be made so
that approved settling aids can be added if
It is therefore recommended that the size required. It should be noted that with the
analysis of the finer particles is determined assumed range of 2 x 10-5 to 5 x 10-5 m/s for
using a settling test method, as this will the settling velocity will remove the smallest
provide the “Stokes diameter”, which is the suspended sediment particle that practically
diameter of the sphere which settles at the can be removed by plain sedimentation
same rate as the mineral particle. Using (namely fine silt at 0.005 to 0.01 mm
settling methods to determine particle size diameter). This also assumes the particle is
ensures that the particles are “non-interacting” spherical and smooth with a S.G. of 2.7. In
(using dispersing chemicals to increase the reality the particles are angular to plate like
particle charge) and do not require a correction and thus take longer to settle.
factor due to non-spherical shape. Therefore,
while the use of the Stokes diameter gains the
advantage of eliminating the need for a Unless there are mitigating factors, the pond
correction factor due to the irregular shape of should be sized to provide not less than a 20
the particles, it has the disadvantage of not hour detention time for a 1 in 10 year flood
duplicating any “natural agglomeration” that flow.
may occur in practice.
APPENDIX C provides more detail on some
Method 3. This simplistic design approach of the limitations of Stokes equation when
has been used to design many of the used to design the size of the sedimentation
sedimentation ponds at mines currently pond without any on-site sampling and

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

measurement of the Stokes diameter. settling aids would need to be added upstream
Correction factors greater than 2.0 are of the pond.
suggested by the literature if very flat 7. Following the final mine shutdown,
particles, such as mica are present. the sedimentation ponds must be either:
a) Inspected and maintained as in 1.
Using Method 3, increased pond construction above, or
costs may more than off-set the investigation b) Properly reclaimed.
costs required to use the Methods 1 or 2.

Approved: ------------------------
General Guidelines for Sedimentation Pond
Operation R. J. Driedger, P. Eng.
Director, Pollution Prevention and
Remediation
1. Operating sedimentation ponds must
be inspected and maintained at regular
intervals and also after each period of heavy
runoff.
2. The pond discharge (flow and TSS)
must be monitored at the intervals required by
the monitoring program of the Waste
Management Permit, if issued, or the
Last revision date May 9, 2001
applicable regulation.
3. The pond freeboard must be
maintained at 0.5 m minimum.
4. The depth of sediment in the
sedimentation pond must be monitored at
sufficient intervals to plan for sediment
removal at minimum pond flow, but before
the water depth decreases to one metre. A
decision from the Regional Waste Manager or
applicable regulation may specify a minimum
fluid depth.
5. The sediment removed from the
sedimentation ponds may be disposed of by
burial or by use in site reclamation unless
prohibited by a permit or regulation.
6. Should the suspended solids in the
pond discharge exceed the maximum
permitted or regulated discharge quality, then
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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

GLOSSARY Flocculant - 1. an organic compound(s) that

causes the formation of flocs, typically a long
Agglomerate - this occurs when the van der
chain polymer, 2.a sediment or “precipitate”
Waals attractive forces on particles in a
made up of flocs.
suspension exceeds the repulsive forces
produced by the Zeta Potential of particles in Flocculation - a process which occurs when
liquid suspension. Particles are then able to (usually) high molecular weight, long chain
form clusters (agglomerules) under suitable organic polymers adsorb and “bridge” onto,
conditions and then achieve settling and between, particles in a suspension, to
produce floccules (flocs) which thereby
Agglomeration - the action or process of
promote settling. Agglomeration/coagulation
gathering into an agglomerule or cluster.
is not necessarily a precursor to flocculation,
Authorization - a regulation, a permit, but the two phenomena are often used together
approval, license, pollution prevention plan, advantageously.
operational certificate, order, certificate, pest
Floccule - see Floc.
management plan, certificate of compliance,
conditional certificate of compliance, or Guideline - A numerical limit or narrative
approval in principle. statement with respect to substances or
procedures which provide policy direction on
Brownian motion - the phenomenon of
a provincial, regional or sectoral basis.
particles in a suspension being “jostled about”
by the impact of molecules of the fluid. This Pollution - The presence in the environment of
then results in the inability of particles of substances or contaminants that substantially
about 5 microns or smaller to settle without alter or impair the usefulness of the
agglomeration or flocculation. environment.
Coagulant - an inorganic compound(s) that Standard - A legally enforceable numerical
lowers the magnitude of the Zeta Potential limit or narrative statement with respect to
allowing suspended particulates to gather substances or procedures specified in an
together to form a cluster or coagule. authorization, e.g., a waste discharge permit.
Coagules - masses or groups of suspended Supernatant - A clear liquid overlying material
particulates effectively forming larger, deposited by settling, precipitation or
settleable particles. centrifugation, such as the effluent from a
tailings or sedimentation pond.
Contaminant - a substance added to another
substance or which renders another impure, TSS -Residue, Non-Filterable, (Previously
e.g., sugar added to tea would be a labeled Total Suspended Solids). The quantity
contaminant. of solid material suspended in a fluid as
determined by method 0008X332 in the
Contaminate - the act of adding a contaminant
British Columbia Environmental Laboratory
Criteria - see Guideline Manual for the Analysis of Water,
Floc - a flocculant mass formed by the Wastewater, Sediment and Biological
aggregation of a number of fine suspended Materials, 1994 Edition on samples collected
particles. in accordance with the BC Environment Field

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

Sampling Manual or procedure approved by a

Director.
van der Waals attraction - The weak mutual
attractive force of molecules or particles in a
suspension resulting from induced electric
polarization. This enables agglomeration to
occur, provided the Zeta Potential repulsive
force is less than the van der Waals attractive
force.
Zeta Potential (ZP) - The characteristic of a
particle’s charge used to determine its ability
to either coagulate with other particles or
remain in a relatively stable suspended
condition. ZP may be negative, zero or
positive and is measurable with the Zeta
meter.
Zero Point of Charge (ZPC) - The condition
that occurs when the pH of the fluid
containing a suspension of particles is adjusted
to produce a Zeta Potential of zero. This is
termed the Zero Point of Charge and occurs at
a characteristic pH in a suspension of specific
mineral particles. The Zero Point of Charge
can also be achieved by the addition of
suitable coagulants (and some cationic/anionic
flocculants).

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

APPENDIX A Practical advice on reclamation and

environmental protection for gravel pits and
Information sources for the design of
rock quarries
sedimentation ponds and the control of
suspended solids in run-off. Available from—
“Land Development Guidelines for the Highways Operations Department
Protection of Aquatic Habitats” Ministry Transportation and Highways
PO Box 9850
by Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Victoria B.C. V8W 9Y5
Canada, and
British Columbia Ministry of “Rainfall Frequency Atlas for Canada”
Environment, Lands and Parks
by Environment Canada
Atmospheric Environment Service
Practical advice for stormwater management
in the urban environment.
Available from- Rainfall statistics maps for Canada and
Habitat Branch instructions on how to calculate extreme
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks rainfall events.
PO Box 9338 Stn Prov Gov
Victoria B.C. V8W 9M1 Available from -
a) Your local public library
“Reclamation and Environmental Protection
b) Supply and Services Canada
Handbook for Sand, Gravel and Quarry
Operations in British Columbia”
by British Columbia Ministry of SWMM (Storm Water Management Model)
Transportation and Highways, and a Windows-based storm water management
British Columbia Ministry of Energy and model, large, complex and designed for the
Mines urban environment.
Available from
USEPA -
[Link]
OWS/

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

APPENDIX B particle surface charge conditions should be

comparable, provided the samples tested are
Settling Aids
representative. This aspect may also be
It is desirable to determine if there is a need investigated by identifying the minerals in the
for settling aids prior to the construction and TSS entering the pond ixx. The ZPCs (zero
operation of the sedimentation pond. This points of charge), or the pH at which the
may prevent permit noncompliance and allow particle charge becomes zero for the various
better planning and cost projection compared minerals making up the TSS entering the pond
to having to add settling aid addition facilities may be indicators that the particles in the pond
during operation of the pond. Factors to possess surface charges that prevent
consider include location of metering agglomeration and settling of the 0.01 mm
equipment, site access and the provision of particles. vi,viii. The surface charge condition
electrical power. on the particles in the pond or surface run-off
If the size analysis of the particulate in the can be directly measured using a Zeta Meter5.
feed to the sedimentation pond is such that the If “natural” agglomeration is not present,
0.01 mm content will produce a pond which is the prevalent condition, then there
overflow lower than the 25 mg/l (or as will be a need to add suitable settling aids to
specified in a permit from the Regional Waste settle the 0.01 mm and finer particles (of S.G.
Manager), settling aids are unlikely to be 2.7 and less). The reason for this is because
required. When initial investigations indicate most of the common minerals have their ZPCs
that there is sufficient 0.01 mm and finer at low pHs; therefore, at the pH of most
particulate matter entering the sedimentation sedimentation pond operation (6.5 to 7.5)
pond(s) to exceed the allowable pond particles will have a fairly high negative
overflow TSS quality during normal charge. The high negative charge coupled
operation, the following information is with the Brownian motion effect, prevents
applicable. settling of 0.01 mm and finer mineral
1. If the size analysis is performed using particles.
settling methods, this will measure the content Given the success of flocculants (high
of 0.01 mm “spherical” particles which takes molecular weight polyacrylamide and other
into account the “shape” and other factors similar organic compounds), it has become
which tend to produce slower settling. uncommon for coagulants to be chosen as
Initial testing should establish whether 0.01 settling aids to assist settling of fine
mm and finer particulate matter entering the particulate matter in the mine sedimentation
pond settles naturally due to low particle ponds. The use of coagulants and
surface charge conditions, which may lead to coagulant/flocculant combinations is common
efficient agglomeration. The testing in water treatment applications, or when there
conditions regarding the particle surface is a need to remove metals as may be the case
charge, or zeta potential, must duplicate the in effluents from tailings ponds.
conditions present during the operation of the 2. The next step is the selection of a
sedimentation pond. If the fluid being used in settling aid. The flocculant/coagulant
the test is essentially runoff water, then suppliers are usually the best resource to

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

obtain the necessary information and possibly to “local” over dosing of some of the particles.
the testing to select and optimize a system7. The “protective colloid” effect is usually
The purpose of a settling aid selection is to: irreversible, resulting in the inability of the
fine particles affected to settle and high TSS.
• determine what settling aid promotes
settling of the fine particulate; For a two-pond system in which the larger
portion of the TSS feeding the system is
• select a settling aid which has a relatively
removed in the first pond, the settling aid
low toxicity i,ii,iv,xx,xxi ; and
should be added to the feed to the second
• select a settling aid which achieves the pond. This gains the advantage of less erratic
discharge quality required at the lowest changes in flow rate (on which the settling aid
cost, consistent with other practical addition is based) and the removal of larger
requirements. TSS particles in the first pond. As the larger
particles do not “consume” any settling aid,
The required settling aid dosage to achieve
dosage rates and settling aid costs are
effective settling varies widely, particularly
decreased. This is only practical if there is
with flocculants. The higher molecular weight
provision for adequate mixing/conditioning
flocculants generally require lower dosages
between the first and second ponds.
than those of lower molecular weight, while
the cost/Kg of flocculant is similar. The One situation to be aware of is attempting to
positively-charged flocculants (cationic) tend treat suspended particulate with settling aids
to be the more toxic compounds because they when the water entering the second pond
have an affinity for the negatively charged fish contains insufficient TSS to allow effective
gills. This in turn reduces oxygen transfer coagulation/flocculation. This problem is
across the gill. solved by increasing the TSS concentration in
the water being treated to the point where
The toxicity of the flocculants is minimized by
there is sufficient particle density to promote
preventing over dosing. If the flocculant
effective settling.
addition system can add the optimum dosage,
or slightly less, most of the flocculant is The control of settling aid addition rates can
adsorbed on the particles and remains in the be aided by measuring the zeta potential of the
pond attached to the particles. The key test for particles entering the pond.
toxicity is performed on the “supernatant”
fluid.
4. The final step is to determine the
required coagulant/flocculant
3. The third step is to determine the mixing/conditioning requirements. When the
settling aid dosages to achieve the required settling aid is introduced to the settling
amount of enhanced settling. The “protective system, there must be provision to allow the
colloid” effect may result when using some particles to adsorb the settling aid and for
flocculants if over dosing occurs. This results particles to “collide” with other particles to
in decreased settling efficiency (and increased allow flocs/coagules to “grow”. Low shear
TSS) as more flocculant is added. Inadequate mixing and adequate time is necessary to
mixing may also produce the same result due achieve this. If the flocculant is added prior to

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

a centrifugal pump, the long chain flocculant

molecule is reduced in size and tends to coil
back on the same particle. This effectively
prevents any further agglomeration with
suspended particles and effectively produces a
particle that will not settle out effectively.

A convenient location to add the

flocculant/coagulant is to a rapidly moving,
turbulent flow channel upstream from the
settling pond. The addition point must be
sufficiently far upstream to provide the
required conditioning time determined by the
laboratory testing.

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

APPENDIX C of matter attracting matter) aids in settling

fine [Link]
Limitations of Stokes Equation
The non-spherical shape of most mineral • The particle surface charge for many of the
particles necessitates the application of a common minerals at the pH of most
correction factor xxii,xxiii,xxiv to the area of the settling pond operations is quite high. The
sedimentation pond calculated using Stokes zero point of charge (ZPC) for most of the
equation. A correction factor would be based minerals encountered occurs at acidic pHs
ixx
on the lower settling rate produced by the .
particles not being spherical. Factors proposed Consequently, most of the mineral particles in
vary from 0.8524 to 0.5022, or if applied to the sedimentation pond will have sufficient
the sedimentation pond area, 1.18 to 2.0. negative charge to prevent particle
Reference xiii indicates that while the direct agglomeration.
application of the Stokes equation is not valid These aspects will be unknown unless settling
for particles larger than 0.065 mm, a modified tests and zeta potential measurements 5 are
method is provided. Using the information in performed. Settling pond design should be
this same reference suggests the correct safety based on representative soil sampling, size
factor to be applied (due to the non-spherical analyses and settling tests using surface water
shape of many mineral particles) is closer to from the proposed pond site.
2.0 rather than 1.2. The initial draft guidelines
proposed a correction factor of 1.2. This
factor appears to have been derived from
Pettyjohn and Christiansenxxv, which is based
on calculations of symmetrical shapes which
are not spheres. The higher factors are based
on reference 22 that used testing of different
mineral grains. This reference indicates that
for very flat particles, a higher factor than 2.0
would be applicable.
Stokes equation does not take into account
other physical phenomena that effect the
settling of fine particles in a fluid. These
phenomena include:
• The movement of the fluid molecules
(“Brownian motion”) on the fine particles
impedes settling of the 0.01 mm and finer
particles, unless coagulation/flocculation is
used.
• The van der Waals attractive forces (i.e.,
the forces due to the universal phenomena

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DRAFT - Guidance for the Design, Size and Operation of Sedimentation Ponds Used in Mining

References

i
Sedimentation in a Salmon Stream, S. P. Shapely and D. M. Bishop, J. Fish Res. d. Canada, 22(4), 1965
ii
The Toxicity and Use of Flocculants for Sediment Control, Mark Strosher, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks,
Cranbrook B.C.
iii
Effects of Synthetic Polyelectrolytes on Selected Aquatic Organisms, K. E. Biesinger and G. N. Stokes, Journal WPCF,
Volume 58, Number 3, March 1986
iv
Polyelectrolyte Toxicity Tests by Fish Avoidance Studies, L. D. Spragg, R. Gehr and J. Hajinicolaou, Wat. Sc. Tech. Vol
14 pp 1564 - 1567
v
Everything you wanted to know about coagulants and flocculants, Zeta Meta Inc.
vi
Coagulants and Flocculants, J. Bratby, Uplands Press Ltd.
vii
A Systematic Approach for Flocculant Selection and Evaluation, H.A. Hamza, Proceedings of the Tenth Annual
Meeting of the Canadian Mineral Processors, 1978.
viii
Chemical Factors in the Flocculation of Mineral Slurries with Polymeric Flocculants, VIII International Mineral
Processing Congress, Leningrad, 1968, R. W. Slater, J. P. Clark, J. A. Kitchener.
ix
Principles of Action of Polymeric Flocculants, 1972, J. A. Kitchener, Br. Polym. J. 1972, 4, 217-229
x
Settling Ponds at Line Creek Coal Mine, A. G. Chandler.
xi
A Cost-Sensitive Approach to Sediment Pond Design, Yaroslav Shumuk, CIM, 1986.
xii
Ambient Water Quality Guidelines (Criteria) for Turbidity, Suspended and Benthic Sediments, BC Environment,
Victoria B.C., 1997
xiii
Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Goldman S.J., Jackson K., Bursztynsky T.A,McGraw-Hill Book Company
xiv
Reclamation and Environmental Protection Handbook for Sand, Gravel and Quarry Operations in B.C., Ministry of
Transportation and Highways, Properties Branch
xv
Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Ministry of
Environment, Lands and Parks.
xvi
Erosion and Sediment Control - Surface Mining in the Eastern U.S., EPA, 1976 (Volume 1, "Design")
xvii
Placer Mining Settling Ponds, Volume I, Design Principles, Sigma Resource Consultants Ltd., Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development, June, 1986.
xviii
Process Design Manual for Suspended Solids Removal, EPA, January 1975
xix
Aquatic Chemistry, W. Stumm and J. J. Morgan, pp. 478, Wiley-Interscience.
xx
An Evaluation of the Efficiency and Toxicity of Two Cationic Liquid Flocculants, R. B. Allan and D. A. Davidge, April
1985, Environment Canada.
xxi
Effects on Fish of Effluents and Flocculants from Coal Mine Waste Water, June 1985, Alberta Environmental Centre.
xxii
Uniform and Non-Uniform Motion of Particles in Fluids, H. Heyward, Inst. Chem. Engs. London
xxiii
The Evaluation of Powders, H. Heywood, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Supplement, 1963, 15 pp. 56T - 73T
xxiv
Perry’s Chemical Engineer’s Handbook, pages 5-61 to 5-65.
xxv
Pettyjohn and Christiansen, Chem. Eng. Progr. 44, 157-172, 1948

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