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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Hellier, W. W., Giovannitti, E. F., & Slack, P. T. (1994). Best professional judgement analysis for constructed wetlands as a best available technology for the treatment of post-mining groundwater seeps. In Special Publication – United States. Bureau of Mines, Report: BUMINES-SP-06A-94 (pp. 60–69). Proceedings of the International land reclamation and mine drainage conference and Third international conference on The abatement of acidic drainage; Volume 1 of 4; Mine drainage.
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Whitlock, J. L. (1990). Biological Detoxification of Precious Metal Processing Wastewaters. Geomicrobiol. J., 8(3-4), 241–249.
Abstract: A biological treatment plant is utilized at the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD, to effect detoxification of a daily discharge of 4 million gallons of wastewater. The wastewater matrix requiring treatment contains cyanide, ammonia, toxic heavy metals, anda variable component of toxic chemicals associated with extractive metallurgy and mining operations. Rotating biological contactors (RBCs) are used to attach the biofilm. Cyanides and heavy metals concentrations are reduced by 95-98%. The treated discharge makes up as much as 60% of the total flow in a cold-water trout fishery. This receiving stream, which remained lifeless for over 100 years as a mine drainage, has now become an established trout fishery and recently yielded a state record trout.
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Maniatis, T. (2005). Biological removal of arsenic from tailings pond water at Canadian mine. Arsenic Metallurgy, , 209–214.
Abstract: Applied Biosciences has developed a biological technology for removal of arsenic, nitrate, selenium, and other metals from mining and industrial waste waters. The ABMet((R)) technology was implemented at a closed gold mine site in Canada for removing arsenic from tailings pond water. The system included six bioreactors that began treating water in the spring of 2004. Design criteria incorporated a maximum flow of 567 L/min (150 gallons per minute) and water temperatures ranging from 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C. Influent arsenic concentrations range from 0.5 mg/L to 1.5 mg/L. The ABMet((R)) technology consistently removes arsenic to below detection limits (0.02 mg/L). Data from the full scale system will be presented, as well as regulatory requirements and site specific challenges.
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Vegt, A. L. de, Bayer, H. G., & Buisman, C. J. (1998). Biological sulfate removal and metal recovery from mine waters. Min. Eng., 50(11), 67–70.
Abstract: Metalle und Sulfat können aus Grubenwässern in einem zweistufigen biologischen Prozeß entfernt werden. In der ersten Stufe wird das Sulfat durch Bakterien zu Schwefelwasserstoff reduziert. Dieser reagiert mit den gelösten Metallen zu unlöslichem Metallsulfid. Im zweiten Schritt wird überschüssiger Schwefelwasserstoff durch Bakterien zu elementarem Schwefel oxidiert. Eine nach diesem Verfahren arbeitende Anlage wurde 1992 durch die Budelco Zinc Refinery in den Niederlanden installiert. Diese verarbeitet täglich 5000 m(exp 3) Gundwasser. Zur Weiterentwicklung des Verfahrens für die Entfernung von Metallen und Sulfat aus Grundwasser und zur gezielten Kupfergewinnung aus Laugungswässern wurde 1995 in der Kupfergrube Bingham Canyon Utah, USA eine entsprechende Pilotanlage in Betrieb genommen. Anhand dieser Pilotanlage werden der Verfahrensablauf und erste Erfahrungen dargestellt sowie ein Überblick über das Untersuchungsprogramm gegeben.
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