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Anonymous. (2003). Red menace -- Alumina waste products neutralised – As a result of the standard aluminium extraction process, a large amount of of highly alkaline 'red mud' is produced, containing various minerals left over from the bauxite, and this must be disposed of safely, treated or stored. Using a partial-neutralising process involving sea water, Virotec has developed an environmentally responsible process that turns the mud into a mild alkali that is very good at neutralising acid in, for example, acid mine waste. Materials world, 11(6), 22–25.
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Adam, K. (2003). Solid wastes management in sulphide mines: From waste characterisation to safe closure of disposal sites. Minerals and Energy Raw Materials Report, 18(4), 25–35.
Abstract: Environmentally compatible Waste Management schemes employed by the European extractive industry for the development of new projects, and applied in operating sulphide mines, are presented in this study. Standard methodologies used to assess the geotechnical and geochemical properties of the solid wastes stemming from mining and processing of sulphidic metal ores are firstly given. Based on waste properties, the measures applied to ensure the environmentally safe recycling and disposal of sulphidic wastes are summarised. Emphasis is given on the novel techniques developed to effectively prevent and mitigate the acid drainage phenomenon from sulphidic mine wastes and tailings. Remediation measures taken to minimise the impact from waste disposal sites in the post-closure period are described.
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Burgess, J. E., & Stuetz, R. M. (2002). Activated Sludge for the Treatment of Sulphur-rich Wastewaters. Miner. Eng., 15(11), 839–846.
Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to assess the potential of activated sludge for the remediation of sulphur-rich wastewaters. A pilot-scale activated sludge plant was acclimatised to a low load of sulphide and operated as a flow-through unit. Additional sludge samples from different full-scale plants were compared with the acclimatised and unacclimatised sludges using batch absorption tests. The effects of sludge source and acclimatisation on the ability of the sludge to biodegrade high loads of sulphide were evaluated. Acclimatisation to low-sulphide concentrations enabled the sludge to degrade subsequent high loads which were toxic to unacclimatised sludge. Acclimatisation was seen to be an effect of selection pressure on the biomass, suggesting that the treatment capability of activated sludge will develop after acclimation, indicating potential for treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) by a standard wastewater treatment process. Existing options for biological treatment of AMD are described and the potential of activated sludge treatment for AMD discussed in comparison with existing technologies. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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Matlock, M. M., Howerton, B. S., & Atwood, D. A. (2002). Chemical precipitation of heavy metals from acid mine drainage. Water Res, 36(19), 4757–4764.
Abstract: The 1,3-benzenediamidoethanethiol dianion (BDET, known commercially as MetX) has been developed to selectively and irreversibly bind soft heavy metals from aqueous solution. In the present study BDET was found to remove >90% of several toxic or problematic metals from AMD samples taken from an abandoned mine in Pikeville, Kentucky. The concentrations of metals such as iron, may be reduced at pH 4.5 from 194 ppm to below 0.009 ppm. The formation of stoichiomietric BDET-metal precipitates in this process was confirmed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and infrared spectroscopy (IR).
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Kuyucak, N. (2002). Acid mine drainage prevention and control options. CIM Bull., 95(1060), 96–102.
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.
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