Mining Influenced Waters: Their Chemistry and Methods of Treatment

Abstract

Abstract. More and more often, in treating waters associated with mining projects, it is not acid rock drainage that is the focus of concern. Consequently, we have coined a new phrase "mining influenced waters" to include all the types of water that can be encountered. These waters can be divided into four categories. For acid rock drainage (ARD) the primary treatment problem is the elimination of mineral acidity in the form of soluble iron and aluminum. For mineral processing waters, the water is usually basic and the primary treatment problem is usually the elimination of cyanide, arsenic and selenium. For marginal waters, the water is circum-neutral but contains contaminants slightly above aquatic standards. For these waters, the treatment problem is often reducing small concentrations of contaminants in high flows of water. Finally, for residual waters, the primary treatment problem is the removal of high levels of total dissolved solids. For residual waters, there are few treatment options and these waters are becoming a serious environmental problem in some mining operations.

Core Sulphate-Reducing Microorganisms in Metal-Removing Semi-Passive Biochemical Reactors and the Co-Occurrence of Methanogens

“…Aqueous effluents produced at mine sites may need treatment to remove metals and anions such as sulphate before they can be discharged into the receiving environment [ 1 ]. Commonly used chemical treatment involves precipitation of metals by addition of a neutralizing agent such as CaO, Ca(OH) 2 or CaCO 3 , but this results in production of a large volume of residue that is costly to manage and that might not be stable over the long term [ 2 ].…”

Acid mine drainage mitigation: A review

“…Mining-influenced water (MIW) is a term used for any water that has been affected in its chemical composition by mineral processing operations. MIW covers several different types of water such as residual waters, AMD waters, mineral processing waters and marginal waters (Wildeman and Schmiermund, 2004). The amount of AMD depends on several factors such as the mineralogy of the material, oxygen concentration, etc.…”