Construction and evaluation of mine cover systems with upgraded soil

Experience gained from laboratory and pilot tests. The overall aim of the project is to facilitate the design of mine reclamation measures, providing a methodology to design mine covers.

The main scientific objective is to test and validate a stepwise method to design of mine covers, based on column experiments and field tests at Boliden’s mine in Garpenberg, complemented by numerical simulations.

One key outcome is also practical recommendations (dos and don’ts) to guide compagnies through the design and construction of sealing layer built with amended upgraded soil.

Partners:

• Luleå tekniska universitet (Ltu)
• Boliden Mineral AB
• Mitta AB
• Ecoloop AB
• The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI)

This project is carried out within the strategic innovation program Swedish Mining Innovation, a joint venture by Vinnova, Formasand the Swedish Energy Agency.

Activities

Two main activities were conducted during the project:

• The construction of a field test area at Boliden mine in Garpenberg:
• The construction of laboratory columns replicating the construction at the field site:

The results from both field and laboratory tests is evaluated using numerical modelling. The first results will be presented at “Mine closure 2025”, 23-25 September 2025 | Kulturens Hus, Luleå, Sweden (https://acgmineclosure.com/2025/)

Experience for both laboratory and field work is compiled in a technical report to be published as a technical report