Our Environmental Stewardship: Prevention
At Kyanite Mining Corporation, we are deeply committed to preserving our environment and restoring mined land to a natural, stable, and productive state for future generations to enjoy. A crucial part of this effort is preventing air, water, and solid waste pollution.
Join us as we share a few of the ways we minimize our environmental impact:
Air Quality Monitoring, Wet Suppression, and Dry Collection
We invest in advanced technology, rigorous quality control procedures, and a skilled team to ensure consistently clean and safe air quality.
We control air emissions through a combination of electrostatic collection, wet suppression, and dry collection methods. At our East Ridge and Willis Mountain Plants, we use wet electrostatic precipitators (WESPs) to control particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and other acid gas emissions. The operators of this control equipment monitor and record multiple compliance parameters every hour to ensure the cleanliness of our air emissions. In other areas of our plants, dust collectors control emissions from mills, screens, elevators, and conveyor belts. Additionally, water sprays on rock crushers and the perpetual watering of haul roads and plant yards prevent nuisance dust and debris from entering the atmosphere.
Using these rigorous controls, we take great pride in meeting, and often exceeding, the environmental standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Water Pollution Control, Stormwater Treatment, and Recycling
Water is vital to our operations. The majority of the water we use for emissions control and mineral processing is surface water and stormwater runoff we recycle from retention ponds at each plant. During mineral separation, for example, the East Ridge Float recycles approximately 10,000 gallons of water each minute. Constantly reusing thousands of gallons of water at each plant reduces our environmental footprint and conserves one of our most important resources.
Large Gieseke Pond
Here’s how it works: We direct stormwater from disturbed areas of Willis Mountain, the Gieseke Plant, and the East Ridge Plant into retention ponds. As the water enters the pond, its velocity slows and any eroded sediment falls out of solution. The sediment is captured within the pond. The clarified water is then pumped back to the plant for reuse or directed to additional ponds for further treatment. The last pond in the process allows for one last round of sediment capture before the water is safely discharged. Throughout this treatment process, we neutralize any natural acidity generated in the mineral deposit by adding alkaline materials like lime and wood ash. These recycling and treatment efforts allow us to discharge water that’s safe for the environment.
Solid Waste Management
We are dedicated to reducing waste and maximizing resource recovery. Mined material that isn’t sold as a product or byproduct does not leave the site. Instead, we incorporate these minerals back into the earth during our reclamation process, creating grasslands and wildlife habitat on previously mined acres. Additionally, we recycle metals, dispose of municipal trash responsibly, and recycle consumer goods such as fluorescent light bulbs.
We’re proud of our efforts to prevent air, water, and solid waste pollution at all of our operations in the Buckingham County community.
Speaking of community, stay tuned for next month’s installment highlighting how we’re making a positive impact in our region!
Learn more about our environmental stewardship here.
