Abstract: Contact of oxygen contained in air and water with mining materials can increase the solubility of metals. In heaps leached by cyanide, metals can also be made soluble through complexation with cyanide. During closure, water in heaps, and water collected in mine workings and pit lakes may require treatment to remove these metals. In situ microbiological treatment to create reductive conditions and to precipitate metals as sulfides or elemental metal has been applied at several sites with good success. Treatment by adding organic carbon to stimulate in situ microbial reduction has been successful in removing arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, tin, uranium, and zinc to a solid phase. Closure practices can affect the success of in situ treatment at mining sites, and affect the stability of treated materials. This paper defines factors that determine the cost and permanence of in situ treatment.

Abstract: Acid drainage waters generated in the copper ore deposit Elshitza. Central Bulgaria, were treated by a natural wetland located in the deposit. The waters had a pH in the range of about 2.5 – 3.5 and contained copper, cadmium, arsenic, iron, manganese and sulphates as main pollutants. The watercourse through the wetland covered a distance of about 100 in and the water flow rate varied in the range of about 0.5 – 2.0 1/s. The wetland was characterized by an abundant water and emergent vegetation and a diverse microflora. Phragmites communis was the prevalent plant species in the wetland but species of the genera Scirpus, Typha, Juncus, Carex and Poa as well as different algae were also well present. It was found that an efficient removal of the pollutants was achieved and their residual concentrations in the wetland effluents were decreased below the relevant permissible levels for water intended for use in the agriculture and/or industry. The removal was clue to different processes but the microbial dissimilatory sulphate reduction and the sorption of pollutants by the organic matter and clay minerals present in the wetland played the main role. Negative effects of the pollutants on the growth and activity of the indigenous plant and microbial communities were not observed.

Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the mining industry worldwide. It occurs as a result of natural oxidation of sulphide minerals contained in mining wastes at operating and closed/decommissioned mine sites. AMD may adversely impact the surface water and groundwater quality and land use due to its typical low pH, high acidity and elevated concentrations of metals and sulphate content. Once it develops at a mine, its control can be difficult and expensive. If generation of AMD cannot be prevented, it must be collected and treated. Treatment of AMD usually costs more than control of AMD and may be required for many years after mining activities have ceased. Therefore, application of appropriate control methods to the site at the early stage of the mining would be beneficial. Although prevention of AMD is the most desirable option, a cost-effective prevention method is not yet available. The most effective method of control is to minimize penetration of air and water through the waste pile using a cover, either wet (water) or dry (soil), which is placed over the waste pile. Despite their high cost, these covers cannot always completely stop the oxidation process and generation of AMD. Application of more than one option might be required. Early diagnosis of the problem, identification of appropriate prevention/control measures and implementation of these methods to the site would reduce the potential risk of AMD generation. AMD prevention/control measures broadly include use of covers, control of the source, migration of AMD, and treatment. This paper provides an overview of AMD prevention and control options applicable for developing, operating and decommissioned mines.