An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms

Moe Momayez; Terril Wilson; Alexander D Cronin; Srikant Annavarapu; Bill Conant

An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms

Moe Momayez, Terril Wilson, Alexander D Cronin, Srikant Annavarapu, Bill Conant

Mining and Geological Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fine-grinding of ores for the liberation of metal-or other valuable concentrates most often results in acreage dedicated to tailings impoundments. A determination of the post-mining land use of such acreage is then required. Tailings impoundments can be suitably utilized as sites for installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The electrical energy produced can be used initially for mining and concentrating operations, and subsequently for the utility grid after mine closure is complete. Since the extraction, processing and transport of minerals is energy-intensive, most mines already have a substantial electrical transmission-line infrastructure. This eliminates one of the major costs associated with PV energy farms. In this paper, we analyze the long-term economic benefit (i.e. payback period) of PV installation and energy production at mine sites. We also discuss integrating PV systems with erosion control and revegetation measures.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009
Pages	817-832
Number of pages	16
State	Published - 2009
Event	Joint Conference of 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009 - Billings, MT, United States Duration: May 30 2009 → Jun 5 2009

Publication series

Name	26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009
Volume	2

Other

Other	Joint Conference of 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009
Country/Territory	United States
City	Billings, MT
Period	5/30/09 → 6/5/09

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Waste Management and Disposal

Cite this

Momayez, M., Wilson, T., Cronin, A. D., Annavarapu, S., & Conant, B. (2009). An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms. In 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009 (pp. 817-832). (26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009; Vol. 2).

An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms. / Momayez, Moe; Wilson, Terril; Cronin, Alexander D et al.
26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009. 2009. p. 817-832 (26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Momayez, M, Wilson, T, Cronin, AD, Annavarapu, S & Conant, B 2009, An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms. in 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009. 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009, vol. 2, pp. 817-832, Joint Conference of 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009, Billings, MT, United States, 5/30/09.

Momayez M, Wilson T, Cronin AD, Annavarapu S, Conant B. An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms. In 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009. 2009. p. 817-832. (26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009).

Momayez, Moe ; Wilson, Terril ; Cronin, Alexander D et al. / An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms. 26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009. 2009. pp. 817-832 (26th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium 2009).

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An investigation to use tailing ponds as solar photovoltaic farms

Abstract

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

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