Ecological Systems and Devices Annotation << Back WASTE PROCESSING OF ALLUVIAL GOLD MINING AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE KHABAROVSK TERRITORY L.T. Krupskaya, A.V. Leonenko, D.A. Golubev, A.A. Cherentsova, M.Y. Filatova, Y.G. Kocharyan Intensive development of gold deposits in the Khabarovsk Territory in the last century led to the accumulation of a huge amount of waste from their processing. Within the boundaries of the object of our research – the closed gold mining enterprise of the Kerba mine, a large-scale man-made mercury pollution of environmental objects occurred, which has a negative impact not only on the ecosphere, but also on human health. Slicking installations located near settlements have led to the emergence of ecologically caused diseases here. Therefore, the problem of assessing the technogenic pollution of environmental objects with waste from the processing of placer deposits and their impact on living organisms is relevant for ensuring their environmental safety here. In this regard, the purpose of the work was to assess the impact of alluvial gold mining waste as a potential source of pollution of environmental objects to ensure environmental and social safety in the study area. It has been established that the waste of processing of gold deposits belongs to the third hazard class (moderately hazardous). The material composition of ores and waste is represented by the main minerals: cassiterite, magnetite, arsenopyrite, galena, ilmenite. They are characterized by a high content of heavy metal compounds, as well as mercury, which contributes to intensive man-made pollution of soils, water, air and biota. Methods have been developed to reduce the negative impact on the environment of waste processing of gold deposits, the novelty of which is confirmed by the Patents of the Russian Federation. Keywords: processing waste, gold deposits, ecosphere, man-made pollution, bioremediation, potential of biological systems, reclamation, disturbed lands. DOI: 10.25791/esip.9.2022.1317 Pp. 21-36.