Prediction of acid mine drainage generation potential in selected mines in the Ashanti Metallogenic Belt using static geochemical methods

Acid mine/rock drainage (AMD/ARD) is the biggest environmental threat facing the mining industry. This study investigates AMD/ARD possibilities in three mines in the Ashanti Belt, using acid base accounting (ABA) and net acid generation pH (NAGpH) tests. Twenty-eight samples of rock units and mine spoil from these mines were collected for ABA and NAGpH tests. Two tailing dumps at Prestea and Nsuta were confirmed by both methods as acid generating with NAGpH of 4.5 and 4.6 and neutralization potential ratio values of 4.38 and 4.60, respectively. Six other samples are classified as potentially acid generating using a variety of established classification criteria. The rest of the samples either exhibited very low sulphur and carbonate content or had excess carbonate over sulphur. Consistency between results from ABA and NAGpH tests validates these tests as adequate tools for preliminary evaluation of AMD/ARD possibilities in any mining project in the Ashanti Belt.     

Mobility of trace and potentially harmful elements in the environment from high sulfur Indian coal mines

Coal mine rejects and sulfide bearing coals are prone to acid mine drainage (AMD) formation due to aqueous weathering. These acidic effluents contain dissolved trace and potentially harmful elements (PHEs) that have considerable impact on the environment. The behavior of these elements in AMD is mainly controlled by pH. The focus of the present study is to investigate aqueous leaching of mine rejects for prediction of acid producing potential, rates of weathering, and release of PHEs in mine drainage. Mine reject (MR) and coal samples from the active mine sites of Meghalaya, India typically have high S contents (1.8–5.7% in MR and 1.7–4.7% in coals) with 75–90% of the S in organic form and enrichment of most of the PHEs in rejects. Aqueous kinetic leaching experiments on mine rejects showed high acid producing potential and release of trace and potentially harmful elements. The elements (Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V and Zn) in mine sample leachates are compared with those in mine waters. The concentrations of Al, Si, P, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb are found to increase with leaching time and are negatively correlated with pH of the solution. The processes controlling the release of these elements are acid leaching, precipitation and adsorption. The critical loads of PHEs in water affected by AMD are calculated by comparing their concentrations with those of regulatory levels. The Enrichment Factors (EFs) and soil pollution indices (SPIs) for the elements have shown that PHEs from coal and mine reject samples are mobilized into the nearby environment and are enriched in the associated soil and sediment.     

粤北大宝山矿酸性排水中铅元素环境地球化学

粤北大宝山铁多金属矿床的开发给环境带来了严重的危害。采选冶产生的酸性排水及固体废弃物堆积的淋滤酸水,携带浸滤出的大量重金属离子流入下游河道,严重影响矿区及酸水流域的生态环境。结果表明,河流水中高Pb含量直接源于尾砂,并受水体pH值的显著影响。河流底泥能够大量聚集水体中的Pb,在水体pH值降低时,相对稳定存在的Pb会被再次从河流底泥中释放出来,形成河流二次污染。土壤中Pb含量受土壤pH值和土壤粒度的影响,食用蔬菜中Pb的高含量由土壤Pb高含量决定,并受土壤pH值的影响,通过改善农业灌溉水质,提高土壤pH值,可以降低蔬菜重金属Pb含量。     

Lead and nickel biosorption with a fungal biomass isolated from metal mine drainage: Box–Behnken experimental design

The Pb(II) and Ni(II) biosorption of a fungal biomass isolated from mine drainage of metal-processing industries in Balya (Bal?kesir province, Turkey) was optimized using a response surface methodology by altering parameters such as pH, initial metal concentration, contact time and biosorbent dosage. This strain was shown to be highly similar to Penicillium sp. Furthermore, zeta potential measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to understand the adsorption mechanism. A Box–Behnken design with 29 experiments was used to evaluate the interactions between independent variables. The results showed that the fungal biomass isolated from the metal mine drainage could have a significant environmental impact through the biosorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) in waters polluted with heavy metals, particularly in the drainage from metal mines. The maximum removal values were 76 and 47 % at pH 4.5 for both Pb(II) and Ni(II), with 123 and 33 mg/L initial metal concentrations, 65 and 89 min contact times and 0.2 and 1.6 g/L biosorbent, respectively.     

Hazardous elements and amorphous nanoparticles in historical estuary coal mining area

In Brazil, intense coal exploitation activities have led to environmental deterioration, including soil mortification, water contamination, loss of ecosystem, and atmospheric contamination. In addition,considerable quantities of sulfur-rich residues are left behind in the mining area; these residues pose grave environmental issues as they undergo sulfide oxidation reactions. When sulfur oxides come in contact with water, extreme acid leachate is produced with great proportions of sulfate, and hazardous elements(HEs), which are identified as coal drainage(CMD). CMD is an environmental pollution challenge, particularly in countries with historic or active coal mines. To prevent CMD formation or its migration, the source must be controlled; however, this may not be feasible at many locations. In such scenarios, the mine water should be collected, treated, and discharged. In this study, data from 2005 to2010 was gathered on the geochemistry of 11 CMD discharges from ten different mines. There are several concerns and questions on the formation of nanominerals in mine acid drainage and on their reactions and interfaces. The detailed mineralogical and geochemical data presented in this paper were derived from previous studies on the coal mine areas in Brazil. Oxyhydroxides, sulfates, and nanoparticles in these areas possibly go through structural transformations depending on their size and formation conditions. The geochemistry of Fe-precipitates(such as jarosite, goethite, and hematite) existent in the CMD-generating coal areas and those that could be considered as a potential source of hazardous elements(HEs)(e.g., Cr) were also studied because these precipitates are relatively stable in extremely low pH conditions. To simplify and improve poorly ordered iron, strontium, and aluminum phase characterization, field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HR-TEM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction(XRD) and sequential extraction(SE) studies were executed on a set CMD samples from the Brazilian mines. This study aimed to investigate the role of both nanomineral and amorphous phase distribution throughout the reactive coal cleaning rejects profile and HEs removal from the water mine to provide holistic insights on the ecological risks posed by HEs, nanominerals, amorphous phases, and to assess sediments in complex environments such as estuaries.     

粤北大宝山矿尾矿铅污染迁移及生态系统环境响应

粤北大宝山铁多金属矿床的开发给环境带来了严重的危害。采选冶产生的废液及固体废弃物堆积的淋滤酸水, 携带浸滤出的大量重金属离子随着酸水排入下游河道, 严重影响矿区及酸水流域的生态环境。将矿床-土壤（含河流底泥）-水体-生命体视为统一的生态环境系统, 从尾砂、水体、河流底泥、土壤以及食用蔬菜等方面探讨整个环境系统对重金属Pb的环境响应。结果表明： 河流水中高Pb含量直接源于尾砂, 并受水体pH值的显著影响; 河流底泥能够大量聚集水体中的Pb, 在高pH值时, 相对稳定存在, 在水体pH值降低时, Pb会被再次从河流底泥中释放出来, 形成河流二次污染; 土壤中Pb含量受土壤pH值和土壤粒度的影响; 食用蔬菜中Pb的高含量受土壤Pb高含量决定, 并受土壤pH值的影响, 通过改善农业灌溉水质, 提高土壤pH值, 可以降低蔬菜重金属Pb含量。     

The status of the passive treatment systems for acid mine drainage in South Korea

This study was performed to investigate the operating status, evaluate the problems, and discuss possible improvement methods of passive treatment systems for acid mine drainage (AMD) in South Korea. Thirty-five passive treatment systems in 29 mines have been constructed from 1996 to 2002 using successive alkalinity producing systems (SAPS) as the main treatment process. We investigated 29 systems (two for metal mines), 19 of which revealed various problems. Overflows of drainage from SAPS, wetland, or oxidation ponds were caused by the flow rate exceeding the capacities of the facilities or by the reduced permeability of the organic substance layer. Leakages occurred at various parts of the systems. In some cases, clogged and broken pipes at the mouths of the mine adits made the whole system unusable. Some systems showed very low efficiencies without apparent leakage or overflow. Even though the systems showed fairly good efficiencies in metal removal ratios (mainly iron) and pH control; sulfate removal rates were very poor except in three systems, which may indicate very poor sulfate reductions with sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) as a means.     

Mobility of aqueous contaminants at abandoned mining sites: insights from case studies in Sardinia with implications for remediation

Public awareness of environmental health issues has increased significantly in recent years, creating the need for detailed scientific studies that can identify potential environmental problems. This paper reports the results of hydrogeochemical surveys carried out in Sardinia, an Italian region with a long mining history. When mining operations in Sardinia ceased, actions for limiting the potential adverse effects of mine closure on the water system were not undertaken. Drainages from flooded mines and seeps from mining residues left on the ground are the main mining-related sources of contamination in Sardinia. Due to the proximity of mining sites to water resources and land that is within reach of animals and humans, the major risks to human health are associated with the direct discharge of contaminated waters into the streams and soils located down-gradient of the abandoned mines. Results of hydrogeochemical surveys carried out under different seasonal conditions showed that the dispersion of toxic and harmful elements (As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn) increases during the rainy season, especially under high runoff conditions. These results should help regional and national authorities to address present environmental regulations, particularly those regarding the quality of water resources. Furthermore, the results might be useful elsewhere for planning remediation actions at abandoned mining sites. Lessons learned by past mining in Sardinia indicate that correct disposal and management of mining residues should be mandatory from the beginning of exploitation and processing at each active mine. This would allow reduction of the environmental risks as well as the cost of remediation.     

Lithological and geochemical record of mining-induced changes in sediments from Macquarie Harbour,southwest Tasmania,Australia

Macquarie Harbour in southwest Tasmania, Australia, has been affected severely by the establishment of mines in nearby Queenstown in the 1890s. As well as heavy metal-laden acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mine area, over 100 Mt of mine tailings and slag were discharged into the Queen and Ring Rivers, with an estimated 10 Mt of mine tailings building a delta of ca. 2.5 km² and ca. 10 Mt of fine tailings in the harbour beyond the delta. Coring of sediments throughout Macquarie Harbour indicated that mine tailings accreted most rapidly close to the King River delta source with a significant reduction in thickness of tailings and heavy metal contamination with increasing distance from the King River source. Close to the King River delta the mine tailings are readily discriminated from the background estuarine sediments on the basis of visual logging of the core (laminations, colour), sediment grain size, sediment magnetic susceptibility and elemental geochemistry, especially concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Zn and Pb. The high heavy metal concentrations are demonstrated by the very high contamination factors (CF > 6) for Cu and Zn, with CF values mostly >50 for Cu for the mine-impacted sediments. Although the addition of mine waste into the King River catchment has ceased, the catchment continues to be a source of these heavy metals due to acid rock drainage and remobilisation of mine waste in storage in the river banks, river bed and delta. The addition of heavy metals to the harbour sourced from the Mount Lyell mines preceded the advent of direct tailings disposal into the Queen River in 1915 with the metals probably provided by acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mining area.     

Geochemical approach to estimate the quality of water entering abandoned underground coalmines

Geochemical modeling was employed to estimate the chemistry of water infiltrating into abandoned underground flooded and unflooded coalmines of the Uniontown syncline, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. This was done to help evaluate factors governing the long-term evolution of coalmine discharge water quality in the Uniontown syncline area. The subsurface structure and lithology was delineated using borehole, mine shaft, and stratigraphic information. Hydrogeologic analyses indicated that most of the recharge to mine voids occurs in the zones of shallow overburden cover of less than 20 m in thickness. The water–rock contact period in the recharge areas of the overburden was estimated to be 5 days or greater for the flooded mines, and a day or less for the unflooded mines. Flow-through reaction-path models were applied to the topsoil and shale–sandstone lithological units identified in the recharge areas. The model predicted water entering the flooded mines at a pH of 6.65, alkalinity of 6.92 mequiv. l^–1 and a total sulfate concentration of 7.33 mM, and the unflooded mines at a pH of 6.68, alkalinity of 6.99 mequiv. l^–1 and a total sulfate concentration of 3.08 mM. The model predictions for the flooded and unflooded mines are consistent with groundwater data from the study site, indicating the usefulness of this approach in evaluating the contribution of overburden chemistry to the evolution of mine discharge quality.     

Characterization of Kolar gold field mine tailings for cyanide and acid drainage

The gold mining process at Kolar gold field (KGF) mines has generated about 32 million tons of tailings. Gold was extracted from the mined ores using cyanidation technique that involved dissolution of gold in the ore by water soluble alkali metal cyanides (example, sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide). Of the several dumps that received the mine tailings only the Kennedy’s Line dump was active prior to closure of the KGF mines in the year 2000. The Kennedy’s Line dump received sulfide bearing tailings in slurry form that comprised of spent ore and process water bearing soluble alkali metal cyanide. Depending on the pH of the tailing slurry, the free cyanides may exist as aqueous hydrogen cyanide that can escape to the atmosphere as hydrogen cyanide gas or occur as soluble cyanide (CN⁻) ions that can be leached by infiltrating water to the sub-surface environment. Additionally, the presence of pyrite minerals in the Kennedy’s Line dump makes them susceptible to acid drainage. This study examines the potential of gold tailings of Kennedy’s Line dump to release cyanide ions (CN⁻) and acid drainage to the sub-surface environment by performing physico-chemical and leaching tests with tailing samples collected from various depths of the dump, sub-surface soil samples beneath the dump and groundwater samples from vicinity of Kennedy’s Line dump. The chemical mechanisms responsible for the ambient cyanide and pH levels of the tailing dump, sub-surface soil samples and groundwater are also inferred from the laboratory results.     

Immobilization of toxic elements in mine residues derived from mining activities in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain): Laboratory experiments

In the mining environments of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), the oxidation of sulphide wastes generates acid drainage with high concentrations of SO₄, metals and metalloids (Acid Mine Drainage, AMD). These acid and extremely contaminated discharges are drained by the fluvial courses of the Huelva province (SW Spain) which deliver high concentrations of potentially toxic elements into the Gulf of Cádiz. In this work, the oxidation process of mine tailings in the IPB, the generation of AMD and the potential use of coal combustion fly ash as a possible alkaline treatment for neutralization of and metal removal from AMD, was studied in non-saturated column experiments. The laboratory column tests were conducted on a mine residue (71.6 wt% pyrite) with artificial rainfall or irrigation. A non-saturated column filled solely with the pyrite residue leached solutions with an acid pH (approx. 2) and high concentrations of SO₄ and metals. These leachates have the same composition as typical AMD, and the oxidation process can be compared with the natural oxidation of mine tailings in the IPB. However, the application of fly ash to the same amount of mine residue in another two non-saturated columns significantly increased the pH and decreased the SO₄ and metal concentrations in the leaching solutions. The improvement in the quality of leachates by fly ash addition in the laboratory was so effective that the leachate reached the pre-potability requirements of water for human consumption under EU regulations. The extrapolation of these experiments to the field is a promising solution for the decontamination of the fluvial courses of the IPB, and therefore, the decrease of pollutant loads discharging to the Gulf of Cádiz.     

Geochemistry of iron ochres and mine waters from Levant Mine,Cornwall

The geochemistry of metal-rich mine waters and mineral precipitates from the Levant mine, Cornwall, has been examined. Sulphide oxidation at Levant mine has produced a wide range of secondary sulphides, oxides, chlorides, sulphates and carbonates in a gossan environment. The mine waters display a wide variation in alkalinity, pH, chloride, sulphate, sodium, potassium and heavy metal content which can be explained by variable degrees of mixing between acidic, metal-rich, rock drainage waters and neutral to alkaline sea waters. Transition metals are soluble in the acidic mine waters with concentrations up to 665 mg/l Cu, 41 mg/l Zn, 76 mg/l Mn, 6 mg/l Co and >2500 mg/l total Fe. The production of acid rock drainage and leaching of metals can be related to sulphide oxidation. Where these metal-rich acidic waters mix with infiltrated sea water, neutralization occurs and some metals are precipitated (principally Cu). Where pools of mine drainage are stagnant native copper and cuprite are precipitated, frequently observed replacing iron pipes and rail tracks and wooden shaft supports, due to electrode potential differences. In these solutions, dissolved copper species are also reduced by interaction with wood-derived organic species. Precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides, caused by a pH increase, also occurs and leads. to coprecipitation of other metals, including Cd, Co, Ph, Mn, Ag and Zn, thus limiting the release of dissolved metals in solution from the mine. However, the release of suspended metal-rich ochres in mine discharge waters (with high Ph, Zn, Cd, Mn, Ni, Sn, Sb, As, Bi, Cu, Co and Ag) will still present a potential environmental hazard.     

Production of acid water in a lead-zinc mine,Coeur d'Alene,Idaho

The Bunker Hill Mine in Idaho's Coeur d'Alene mining district produces approximately 10 m³/minute of acid water containing high concentrations of heavy metals. Field and laboratory studies indicate that much of the acid water is produced in a single ore body in the upper part of the mine. The ore of this body contains mainly sphalerite, galena, and pyrite in a siderite-quartz gangue. Ground water recharges this ore body through a near-vertical zone of high permeability, which is the result of mining by the caving technique. Ore samples from the caving area contained oxidized forms of iron and produced acid in a laboratory leaching test. Leaching experiments with several ore samples from the mine also indicated that the ratio of pyrite to calcite in the samples strongly controlled the resultant pH values. Oxidation of pyrite to sulfuric acid and compounds of iron is apparently responsible for the production of acid water in the mine. In contrast, dissolution of calcite in water results in a basic solution, with pH around 8.3, that can neutralize the acid produced by the oxidation process. Methods for prevention of acid mine drainage in this and other similar mines are noted.     

Simulation of the effects of geochemical reactions on groundwater quality during planned flooding of the Königstein uranium mine, Saxony, Germany

Uranium mining in southeastern Germany resulted in significant environmental risks. Closure of the mines and subsequent rises of water levels may result in heavy-metal and radionuclide-bearing mine waters penetrating aquifers that are used for water supply. While there are certain (geo-)technical constraints on the schedule with which flooding of the mines can proceed, this process must not result in aggravating the problem of metal release. Evaluation of the likely 'natural' geochemical situation of Königstein mine after mining has ceased, and different scenarios for the release of metals indicates that rapid flooding, albeit avoiding unnecessary aeration of the waters, is likely to result in reducing conditions and consequently low U-solubilities.     

Acid Mine Drainage and Heavy Metal Pollution from Solid Waste in the Tongling Mines, China

Based on investigation of the characteristics of solid waste of two different mines, the Fenghuangshan copper mine and the Xinqiao pyrite mine in Tongling, Anhui province in central-east China, the possibility and the differences of acid mine drainage （AMD） of the railings and the waste rocks are discussed, and the modes of occurrence of heavy metal elements in the mine solid waste are also studied. The Fenghuangshan copper mine hardly produces AMD, whereas the Xinqiao pyrite mine does and there are also differences in the modes of occurrence of heavy metal elements in the railings. For the former, toxic heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As and Hg exist mostly in the slag mode, as compared to the latter, where the deoxidization mode has a much higher content, indicating that large amounts minerals in the waste rocks have begun to oxidize at the earth surface. AMD is proved to promote the migration and spread of the heavy metals in mining waste rocks and lead to environmental pollution of the surroundings of the mine area.     

矿山的环境地质研究初探

矿山采选冶事业发展,废水、废渣、废气排放量增加,对矿山环境造成污染,为科学地进行矿山环境治理,需开展矿山的环境地质研究,其任务是:(1)开展矿山初始时的环境地质调查,以利于查明环境污染程度,(2)编制矿山有关的环境地质图件,(3)研究矿山采选冶过程对矿山环境地质条件造成的影响,(4)研究矿山向城市化发展将出现的环境地质问题。湘西金矿在环境治理上取得一些成效,但环境地质问题仍不可忽视。     

Acid mine drainage and acid rock drainage processes in the environment of Herrerías Mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Huelva-Spain) and impact on the Andevalo Dam

The present work describes the process of acid water discharge into the Andévalo Dam (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Huelva-Spain) starting from the interpretation of rainfall data and chemical analyses regarding pH, conductivity, metal and sulphate content in water, from a time series corresponding to the sampling of two confluent channels that discharge water into the referred dam. Statistical data treatment allows us to conclude the existence of acid mine drainage processes in the Chorrito Stream, which are translated into very low pH values and high sulphate and metal concentrations in the water coming from Herrerías Mine. On the other hand, the Higuereta Stream shows, for the same parameters, much lower values that can be interpreted as the channel response to acid rock drainage processes in its drainage basin induced by the rocky outcrops of the Iberian Pyrite Belt.     

Environmental assessment of Durban Navigation Colliery discard dumps in the Klip River coalfield, Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa

Durban Navigation Colliery (Durnacol) occurs in the Klip River coalfield, the Dumps Nos. 1 and 2 of which were used as disposal sites shortly after the mine started in 1895. Both dumps are relatively small in size (<150,000?m²) in terms of South African mine standard and partially burnt or still burning. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive geochemical assessment of the potential environmental impact from the two dumps. The methodologies used included field observation; field tests (Fizz, pH, EC), sampling; analyses of mineralogy (XRD), geochemistry (XRF), water quality (AA and ICP-MS), particle size distribution and Acid?CBase Accounting (ABA). The field investigation indicated no toe seepage around the two dumps. Fizz rating of burnt material was higher than that of unburnt material on both dumps and paste pH proved to be neutral (pH 6?C7). This study further indicated that the combustion/burning of coal discard slightly increased both pH and alkalinity, but no trend was identified. The ABA results indicated that both dumps had the potential to turn acidic, as the majority of the samples taken had sulphide-sulphur higher than 0.25%. It is also noted that there is potential for heavy metal leaching out, specifically Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn from the dumps. A continuous monitoring of the boreholes in the vicinity of the dumps was recommended to establish the potential development and migration of a pollution plume around the dump in future.