Methodology development for the ecological assessment of hazardous waste disposal above ground and below ground, and application to selected types of waste

In this work, a scheme was developed that adapts proven and recognised assessment methods (e.g. life cycle assessments) so that the particular advantages and disadvantages of all disposal methods that are suitable for hazardous mineral waste, in particular the various underground methods, can be taken into account. The disposal-specific legal framework, e.g. the restrictive conditions for the suitability of waste for certain types of utilisation and disposal, was of particular importance.

This set of instruments was then trialled and refined using a series of selected wastes. To this end, several possible disposal routes were considered for different types of waste and their material flows and environmental impacts were analysed and evaluated. Various treatment processes and numerous metallurgical processes for metal recovery were included in the analyses. The waste was selected on the basis of criteria such as quantitative relevance, in particular for backfilling, doubts about the environmental compatibility of the current disposal route, etc. Special criteria were the pollutant content of the waste. Special criteria were the pollutant content in the eluate and solids, which were determined using the ABANDA waste analysis database, as well as the hazard characteristics and gas formation potential.