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Johnson, D. B., & Hallberg, K. B. (2005). Acid mine drainage remediation options: a review. Science of the Total Environment, 338(1-2), 3–14.
Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) causes environmental pollution that affects many countries having historic or current mining industries. Preventing the formation or the migration of AMD from its source is generally considered to be the preferable option, although this is not feasible in many locations, and in such cases, it is necessary to collect, treat, and discharge mine water. There are various options available for remediating AMD, which may be divided into those that use either chemical or biological mechanisms to neutralise AMD and remove metals from solution. Both abiotic and biological systems include those that are classed as “active” (i.e., require continuous inputs of resources to sustain the process) or “passive” (i.e., require relatively little resource input once in operation). This review describes the current abiotic and bioremediative strategies that are currently used to mitigate AMD and compares the strengths and weaknesses of each. New and emerging technologies are also described. In addition, the factors that currently influence the selection of a remediation system, and how these criteria may change in the future, are discussed.
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Sato, D., & Tazaki, K. (2000). Calcification treatment of mine drainage and depositional formula of heavy metals. Chikyu Kagaku = Earth Science, 54(5), 328–336.
Abstract: Depositional formula of heavy metals after disposal of the mine drainage from the Ogoya Mine in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, was mineralogically investigated. Strong acidic wastewater (pH 3.5) from pithead of the mine contains high concentration of heavy metals. In this mine, neutralizing coagulation treatment is going on by slaked lime (calcium hydroxides: Ca(OH) (sub 2) ). Core samples were collected at disposal pond to which the treated wastewater flows. The core samples were divided into 44 layers based on the color variation. The mineralogical and chemical compositions of each layer were analyzed by an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyzer (ED-XRF) and a NCS elemental analyzer. The upper parts are rich in brown colored layers, whereas discolored are the deeper parts. The color variation is relevant to Fe concentration. Brown colored core sections are composed of abundant hydrous ferric oxides with heavy metals, such as Cu, Zn, and Cd. On the other hand, S concentration gradually increases with depth. XRD data indicated that calcite decreases with increasing depth, and ettringite is produced at the deeper parts. Cd concentration shows similar vertical profile to those of calcite and ettringite. The results revealed that hydrous ferric oxides, calcite and ettringite are formed on deposition, whereby incorporating the heavy metals.
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Peterson, D. E., & Kindley, M. J. (1994). The Golden Cross Mine water management system. New Zealand Mining, 14, 15–21.
Abstract: Because of its location in the sensitive Coromandel Peninsula, strict water management and environmental requirements had to be met on the Golden Cross Mine Project. This led to the development of new technologies for cyanide recovery and the adoption of advanced water management and water treatment systems. This paper discusses the water management and treatment system adopted for contaminated water at Golden Cross. While permit discharge levels must be and are met for mine discharge waters, the ultimate success of the water management system is demonstrated by the results downstream; biological surveys show no changes to the resident aquatic life in the river.
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Parker, G., Noller, B., & Waite, T. D. (1999). Assessment of the use of fast-weathering silicate minerals to buffer AMD in surface waters in tropical Australia. In D. E. Goldsack, N. Belzile, P. Yearwood, & G. J. Hall (Eds.), Sudbury '99; Mining and the environment II; Conference proceedings.
Abstract: Surface waters in the Pine Creek Geosyncline (located in Australia's “Top End”, defined as the area of Australia north of 15 degrees S) are characterized by their low carbonate buffering capacity. These waters are buffered by silicate weathering and hence are slightly acidic, ranging in pH from 4.0 to 6.0. The Pine Creek Geosyncline contains most of the Top Ends' economic mineral deposits and characteristically shows no correlation between carbonate minerals and sulfidic orebodies hosting gold deposits (unlike uranium deposits). Thus many gold mines do not have ready access to carbonate minerals for buffering acid mine drainage (AMD). It is possible that locally available fast-weathering silicate minerals may be used to buffer AMD seeps. The buffering intensity of silicate minerals exceeds that of carbonate minerals, but their slow dissolution kinetics has ensured that these materials have received little attention in treating AMD. In addition, carbonate mineral dissolution is retarded when contacted with intense AMD solutions due to the formation of surface coatings of iron minerals. The lower pH range of silicate mineral dissolution may prevent the formation of such coatings. The Pine Creek Geosyncline consists of a complex geochemistry, and a number of fast-weathering silicate minerals have been noted in various areas. The difficulty in assessing such minerals for use in buffering AMD is the lack of kinetic data available under conditions prevalent AMD (i.e., low pH solutions saturated with aluminium and silica). This study sets out to evaluate the applicability of using such minerals to treat AMD surface seeps.
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Matsuoka, I. (1996). Mine drainage treatment. Shigen to Sozai = Journal of the Mining and Materials Processing Institute of Japan, 112(5), 273–281.
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