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I'm an Australian geoscientist with mining and groundwater supply related skills. I have particular experience in approvals, feasibility studies, environmental management and monitoring in the mining of commodities including iron ore, uranium, heavy minerals, base and precious metals, as well as the field of responsible waste disposal. I'm applying my skills and knowledge and learning more as Environment Assurance Manager - Mining Areas with SIMEC Mining (iron ore), based in Whyalla, South Australia. From 2012 to 2018 I enjoyed the challenge of a larger world working for the International Atomic Energy Agency, particularly in the field of best-practice uranium mining.
A number of primary ores such as phosphate rock, gold-, copper- and rare earth ores contain considerable amounts of accompanying uranium and other critical materials. Energy neutral mineral processing is the extraction of unconventional uranium during primary ore processing to use it, after enrichment and fuel production, to generate greenhouse gas lean energy in a nuclear reactor. Energy neutrality is reached if the energy produced from the extracted uranium is equal to or larger than the energy required for primary ore processing, uranium extraction, -conversion, -enrichment and -fuel production. This work discusses the sustainability of energy neutral mineral processing and provides an overview of the current progress of a multinational research project on that topic conducted under the umbrella of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Frederik Reitsma; Peter Woods; Martin Fairclough; Yongjin Kim; Harikrishnan Tulsidas; Luis Lopez; Yanhua Zheng; Ahmed Hussein; Gerd Brinkmann; Nils Haneklaus; Anand Kacham; Tumuluri Sreenivas; Agus Sumaryanto; Kurnia Trinopiawan; Nahhar Al Khaledi; Ahmad Zahari; Adil El Yahyaoui; Jamil Ahmad; Rolando Reyes; Katarzyna Kiegiel; Noureddine Abbes; Dennis Mwalongo; Eduardo Greaves. On the Sustainability and Progress of Energy Neutral Mineral Processing. Sustainability 2018, 10, 235 .
AMA StyleFrederik Reitsma, Peter Woods, Martin Fairclough, Yongjin Kim, Harikrishnan Tulsidas, Luis Lopez, Yanhua Zheng, Ahmed Hussein, Gerd Brinkmann, Nils Haneklaus, Anand Kacham, Tumuluri Sreenivas, Agus Sumaryanto, Kurnia Trinopiawan, Nahhar Al Khaledi, Ahmad Zahari, Adil El Yahyaoui, Jamil Ahmad, Rolando Reyes, Katarzyna Kiegiel, Noureddine Abbes, Dennis Mwalongo, Eduardo Greaves. On the Sustainability and Progress of Energy Neutral Mineral Processing. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (1):235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrederik Reitsma; Peter Woods; Martin Fairclough; Yongjin Kim; Harikrishnan Tulsidas; Luis Lopez; Yanhua Zheng; Ahmed Hussein; Gerd Brinkmann; Nils Haneklaus; Anand Kacham; Tumuluri Sreenivas; Agus Sumaryanto; Kurnia Trinopiawan; Nahhar Al Khaledi; Ahmad Zahari; Adil El Yahyaoui; Jamil Ahmad; Rolando Reyes; Katarzyna Kiegiel; Noureddine Abbes; Dennis Mwalongo; Eduardo Greaves. 2018. "On the Sustainability and Progress of Energy Neutral Mineral Processing." Sustainability 10, no. 1: 235.
Uranium has been mined since about 1830 as a glass and glaze colorant, but its exploitation began in earnest in the 1940s, initially for military purposes but then from the mid-1950s for fuel for nuclear power plants. Mining from underground and open cut mines has dominated production. Ore grades have ranged from over 15% to less than 0.03% U. Various milling and purification methods have been developed, nearly always employing acid or alkaline leaching of uranium from crushed and ground ore followed by one or both of solvent extraction or ion exchange, used to purify and concentrate the uranium prior to precipitation and drying. Recent production has been around 50,000 t/year expressed as uranium metal.
Peter H. Woods. Uranium mining (open cut and underground) and milling. Uranium for Nuclear Power 2016, 125 -156.
AMA StylePeter H. Woods. Uranium mining (open cut and underground) and milling. Uranium for Nuclear Power. 2016; ():125-156.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter H. Woods. 2016. "Uranium mining (open cut and underground) and milling." Uranium for Nuclear Power , no. : 125-156.
Recognizing the environmental impacts of mining and associated industries and their minimization has become more important over the last two or three decades. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports good practice in uranium mining and milling worldwide. As well as its well-known safety standards for radiation protection and waste management, it has produced guidance and acted as a gatherer and provider of information on geological, technological, environmental and regulatory aspects of the uranium production cycle. It is involved in a number of Technical Cooperation projects on this and related topics throughout the world.
Peter Woods; Russel Edge; Martin Fairclough; Zhiwen Fan; Adrienne Hanly; Ib-Rahim Miko Dit Angoula; Horst Monken-Fernandes; Haridasan Pappinisseri Puthanveedu; Marcelle Phaneuf; Harikrishnan Tulsidas; Oleg Voitsekhovych; Tamara Yankovich. IAEA Initiatives Supporting Good Practice in Uranium Mining Worldwide. Uranium - Past and Future Challenges 2014, 31 -40.
AMA StylePeter Woods, Russel Edge, Martin Fairclough, Zhiwen Fan, Adrienne Hanly, Ib-Rahim Miko Dit Angoula, Horst Monken-Fernandes, Haridasan Pappinisseri Puthanveedu, Marcelle Phaneuf, Harikrishnan Tulsidas, Oleg Voitsekhovych, Tamara Yankovich. IAEA Initiatives Supporting Good Practice in Uranium Mining Worldwide. Uranium - Past and Future Challenges. 2014; ():31-40.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Woods; Russel Edge; Martin Fairclough; Zhiwen Fan; Adrienne Hanly; Ib-Rahim Miko Dit Angoula; Horst Monken-Fernandes; Haridasan Pappinisseri Puthanveedu; Marcelle Phaneuf; Harikrishnan Tulsidas; Oleg Voitsekhovych; Tamara Yankovich. 2014. "IAEA Initiatives Supporting Good Practice in Uranium Mining Worldwide." Uranium - Past and Future Challenges , no. : 31-40.
In situ leach (ISL) has become one of the standard uranium production methods. Hydrogeology is important for all mining below the water table, but it is doubly important in ISL mining for efficient production of uranium. Prevention of unwanted groundwater contamination must be considered and controlled, and the final status of the target aquifer is also of high importance. Hydrogeological testing has been undertaken at a number of Australian ISL sites, some of which proceeded to production. Here we consider the associated hydro-geological testing undertaken for some of these projects, with case studies and les-sons learned.
Peter Woods; Ben Jeuken. Hydrogeological testing for ISL uranium mining: some Australian experience. Uranium - Past and Future Challenges 2014, 211 -220.
AMA StylePeter Woods, Ben Jeuken. Hydrogeological testing for ISL uranium mining: some Australian experience. Uranium - Past and Future Challenges. 2014; ():211-220.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Woods; Ben Jeuken. 2014. "Hydrogeological testing for ISL uranium mining: some Australian experience." Uranium - Past and Future Challenges , no. : 211-220.
Grant Douglas; Mark Shackleton; Peter Woods. Hydrotalcite formation facilitates effective contaminant and radionuclide removal from acidic uranium mine barren lixiviant. Applied Geochemistry 2014, 42, 27 -37.
AMA StyleGrant Douglas, Mark Shackleton, Peter Woods. Hydrotalcite formation facilitates effective contaminant and radionuclide removal from acidic uranium mine barren lixiviant. Applied Geochemistry. 2014; 42 ():27-37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGrant Douglas; Mark Shackleton; Peter Woods. 2014. "Hydrotalcite formation facilitates effective contaminant and radionuclide removal from acidic uranium mine barren lixiviant." Applied Geochemistry 42, no. : 27-37.
An assessment of hydrotalcite formation to neutralize acidity and remove trace elements was undertaken using barren lixiviant from Heathgate Resources’ Beverley in situ recovery uranium mine in South Australia. Batchscale studies demonstrated proof of concept for neutralization of acidity using MgO + NaAlO2 with concomitant removal of a range of trace elements. The hydrotalcite formed during neutralization, hosted a range of potential contaminants including substantial uranium (~ 1% U) and rare earth elements (~ 2% REE).
Grant Douglas; Laura Wendling; Kayley Usher; Peter Woods. Neutralisation and Trace Element Removal from Beverley in-situ Recovery Uranium Mine Barren Lixiviant via Hydrotalcite Formation. Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook — Volume 1 2011, 101 -109.
AMA StyleGrant Douglas, Laura Wendling, Kayley Usher, Peter Woods. Neutralisation and Trace Element Removal from Beverley in-situ Recovery Uranium Mine Barren Lixiviant via Hydrotalcite Formation. Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook — Volume 1. 2011; ():101-109.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGrant Douglas; Laura Wendling; Kayley Usher; Peter Woods. 2011. "Neutralisation and Trace Element Removal from Beverley in-situ Recovery Uranium Mine Barren Lixiviant via Hydrotalcite Formation." Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook — Volume 1 , no. : 101-109.
Recently discovered uranium deposits, including Pepegoona and Pannikan, have been developed as in-situ recovery (ISR) satellite mines to the Beverley plant. Both deposits are located within the Eocene Eyre formation of the Frome Embayment. The paper characterizes mineralogy, hydrogeology and geochemistry briefly and describes ISR satellite operation in combination with central processing, environmental management and specific requirements of the approval process including mine closure concepts. After performing a field leach trial in 2010, the ISR satellite wellfields and plants were commissioned in 2011.
Horst Märten; Richard Phillips; Peter Woods. New Uranium ISR Satellites at Beverley North, South Australia. Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook — Volume 1 2011, 23 -30.
AMA StyleHorst Märten, Richard Phillips, Peter Woods. New Uranium ISR Satellites at Beverley North, South Australia. Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook — Volume 1. 2011; ():23-30.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHorst Märten; Richard Phillips; Peter Woods. 2011. "New Uranium ISR Satellites at Beverley North, South Australia." Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook — Volume 1 , no. : 23-30.
Peter H. Woods; Susan D. Carter; Ben M. Jeuken; Malcolm J. Wedd. Comment on “Sustainability of Uranium Mining and Milling: Toward Quantifying Resources and Eco-Efficiency”. Environmental Science & Technology 2009, 43, 3968 -3968.
AMA StylePeter H. Woods, Susan D. Carter, Ben M. Jeuken, Malcolm J. Wedd. Comment on “Sustainability of Uranium Mining and Milling: Toward Quantifying Resources and Eco-Efficiency”. Environmental Science & Technology. 2009; 43 (10):3968-3968.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter H. Woods; Susan D. Carter; Ben M. Jeuken; Malcolm J. Wedd. 2009. "Comment on “Sustainability of Uranium Mining and Milling: Toward Quantifying Resources and Eco-Efficiency”." Environmental Science & Technology 43, no. 10: 3968-3968.
Barry N. Noller; Roger A. Watters; Peter H. Woods. The role of biogeochemical processes in minimising uranium dispersion from a mine site. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 1997, 58, 37 -50.
AMA StyleBarry N. Noller, Roger A. Watters, Peter H. Woods. The role of biogeochemical processes in minimising uranium dispersion from a mine site. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 1997; 58 (1):37-50.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBarry N. Noller; Roger A. Watters; Peter H. Woods. 1997. "The role of biogeochemical processes in minimising uranium dispersion from a mine site." Journal of Geochemical Exploration 58, no. 1: 37-50.
The magnitude of recharge beneath rehabilitated landforms at former mine sites is one of many variables required for a comprehensive assessment of potential future environmental impacts of those sites. The magnitude of net groundwater recharge that may occur on the rehabilitated Range Uranium Mines landform is estimated to be of the order of 2–5% of the incident rainfall, that is, about 25 to 65 mm/a.
Peter Woods. Likely recharge to permanent groundwater beneath future rehabilitated landforms at Ranger uranium mine, northern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 1994, 41, 505 -508.
AMA StylePeter Woods. Likely recharge to permanent groundwater beneath future rehabilitated landforms at Ranger uranium mine, northern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 1994; 41 (5):505-508.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Woods. 1994. "Likely recharge to permanent groundwater beneath future rehabilitated landforms at Ranger uranium mine, northern Australia." Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 41, no. 5: 505-508.
A problem common to mines operating in the tropics is the disposal of water, which may be alkaline, acidic, or contain toxic elements such as arsenic or cadmium. The availability of year-round water supply at many mine sites in Northern Australia, particularly from pit dewatering, together with the monsoonal climate, provide appropriate conditions for the formation of natural wetlands or establishment of artificial wetlands. Wetland species (particularly Typha spp.) flourish in the presence of flowing or shallow water from dewatering, and data collected from natural and experimental wetlands show reduction of metal concentrations by wetland filtration of mine waste water. The following case studies are considered:Constructed wetlands, used to remove uranium from waste rock runoff before release to an adjacent creek provide a means of “polishing” runoff water prior to discharge to the creek.Creek-Billabong systems with existing wetlands adjacent to mine sites adventitiously “filter” waters discharged from mine sites. Trace elements in dewatering water from a gold mine discharged into an oxbow show reduction of elemental concentrations downstream, compared to discharge water.Naturally generated wetlands at several Northern Territory mines have developed along channels for discharge of pit water, with ingress of Typha domingensis. Such wetlands, associated with dewatering, have been examined at four mines, some with acid mine drainage. Water quality measured after wetland treatments shows reductions in concentrations of various heavy metals and sulfate. Volunteer Typha domingensis grows and spreads in shallow flowing channels, providing an inherent “filtration” of the water.Natural swamplands are incorporated in the waste rock runoff management design of a new gold mine, to reduce potentially high arsenic levels in the waste water. Constructed and naturally occurring wetlands may be used in the treatment of most mine waste waters to achieve levels of constituents acceptable for discharge to the surrounding environment.
B. N. Noller; Peter Woods; B. J. Ross. Case Studies of Wetland Filtration of Mine Waste Water in Constructed and Naturally Occurring Systems in Northern Australia. Water Science and Technology 1994, 29, 257 -265.
AMA StyleB. N. Noller, Peter Woods, B. J. Ross. Case Studies of Wetland Filtration of Mine Waste Water in Constructed and Naturally Occurring Systems in Northern Australia. Water Science and Technology. 1994; 29 (4):257-265.
Chicago/Turabian StyleB. N. Noller; Peter Woods; B. J. Ross. 1994. "Case Studies of Wetland Filtration of Mine Waste Water in Constructed and Naturally Occurring Systems in Northern Australia." Water Science and Technology 29, no. 4: 257-265.
This paper presents results of an interlaboratory comparison of the effects of different techniques for extracting soil water on its measured 2H and 18O composition. In the comparison, four soils (a sand, a gypseous sand, and a clay soil at high and low water contents) were prepared and distributed to fourteen laboratories. Water was then extracted from these samples and analysed using each laboratory's standard method. A number of verification procedures was used to ensure that the experiment was truly a comparison of extraction techniques and that reported variations were not due to sample preparation, transport or measurement. The extraction techniques used included azeotropic, vacuum and microdistillation methods. The results show a large variation between laboratories in the isotopic composition of the water extracted (of up to 30‰ for 2H and 3.4‰ for 18O). The variation increased as the water content of the soil decreased and was greater for clays than sand at comparable soil matric suctions. The δ-value obtained was correlated with the final extraction temperature, with incomplete extraction being the most likely cause for the variation. The study highlights the need to develop standard protocols for the extraction of water from soils for isotopic analysis.
Glen R. Walker; Peter H. Woods; Graham B. Allison. Interlaboratory comparison of methods to determine the stable isotope composition of soil water. Chemical Geology 1994, 111, 297 -306.
AMA StyleGlen R. Walker, Peter H. Woods, Graham B. Allison. Interlaboratory comparison of methods to determine the stable isotope composition of soil water. Chemical Geology. 1994; 111 (1-4):297-306.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGlen R. Walker; Peter H. Woods; Graham B. Allison. 1994. "Interlaboratory comparison of methods to determine the stable isotope composition of soil water." Chemical Geology 111, no. 1-4: 297-306.
Peter Woods. Discussion of “Moisture and Suction in Sanitary Landfills in Semiarid Areas” by G. E. Blight, J. M. Ball, and J. J. Blight (November/December, 1992, Vol. 118, No. 6). Journal of Environmental Engineering 1994, 120, 266 -266.
AMA StylePeter Woods. Discussion of “Moisture and Suction in Sanitary Landfills in Semiarid Areas” by G. E. Blight, J. M. Ball, and J. J. Blight (November/December, 1992, Vol. 118, No. 6). Journal of Environmental Engineering. 1994; 120 (1):266-266.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Woods. 1994. "Discussion of “Moisture and Suction in Sanitary Landfills in Semiarid Areas” by G. E. Blight, J. M. Ball, and J. J. Blight (November/December, 1992, Vol. 118, No. 6)." Journal of Environmental Engineering 120, no. 1: 266-266.
Diffuse (evaporative) discharge of ground water is of interest in the management of local or regional ground waters, and soil salinity. However, past studies show that discharge may vary greatly between soils in agricultural areas and salt flats for similar water table depths. Low discharge from salt flats has been previously attributed to the effect of salt crusts, yet possible soil hydrological reasons for those differences have not been examined. Steady-state hydraulic theory describing the relationship between discharge and water table depth is reviewed. The minimum water table depths required for the theory to be applied are defined in terms of soil parameters. Relationships between discharge and water table depth are then used to analyse the results of previous diffuse discharge studies. It is shown that discharge from both bare agricultural soils and salt flats is consistent with this theory. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of three salt flat soils, determined from measurements of discharge and soil matric suction, showed that low discharge flexus recorded from the sites were due to low soil permeability. The relationship between discharge flux and water table depth calculated for these sites also described discharge from other salt flats, implying that low hydraulic conductivity caused low discharge from these areas as well. The reasons for the low hydraulic conductivity of salt flat soils are not clear, and need to be investigated to determine if it is a general property of soils in these areas, or results from the high salinity levels.
Peter J. Thorburn; Glen R. Walker; Peter Woods. Comparison of diffuse discharge from shallow water tables in soils and salt flats. Journal of Hydrology 1992, 136, 253 -274.
AMA StylePeter J. Thorburn, Glen R. Walker, Peter Woods. Comparison of diffuse discharge from shallow water tables in soils and salt flats. Journal of Hydrology. 1992; 136 (1):253-274.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter J. Thorburn; Glen R. Walker; Peter Woods. 1992. "Comparison of diffuse discharge from shallow water tables in soils and salt flats." Journal of Hydrology 136, no. 1: 253-274.
A method has been developed to extract soil water for determination of deuterium (D) and 18O content. The principle of this method is based on the observation that water and toluene form an azeotropic mixture at 84.1°C, but are completely immiscible at ambient temperature. In a specially designed distillation apparatus, the soil water is distilled at 84.1°C with toluene and is separated quantitatively in the collecting funnel at ambient temperature. Traces of toluene are removed and the sample can be analyzed by mass spectrometry. Kerosene may be substituted for toluene. The accuracy of this technique is ± 2 and ± 0.2‰, respectively, for δD and δ18O. Reduced accuracy is obtained at low water contents.
Kinga Revesz; Peter H. Woods. A method to extract soil water for stable isotope analysis. Journal of Hydrology 1990, 115, 397 -406.
AMA StyleKinga Revesz, Peter H. Woods. A method to extract soil water for stable isotope analysis. Journal of Hydrology. 1990; 115 (1-4):397-406.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKinga Revesz; Peter H. Woods. 1990. "A method to extract soil water for stable isotope analysis." Journal of Hydrology 115, no. 1-4: 397-406.