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ACID DRAINAGE FROM MINES AND ITS RELATED PROBLEMS - Prediction, quantification andimplementation of mitigation measures are the key for enhancement of environmental standard
Author: Partha Das Sharma, B.Tech(Hons.) in Mining Engineering,
E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com
, Blog: http://miningandblasting.wordpress.com/
1
ACID DRAINAGE FROM MINES AND ITS RELATEDPROBLEMS
PREDICTION, QUANTIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATIONOF MITIGATION MEASURES ARE THE KEY FOR ENHANCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD
Author: Partha Das Sharma, B.Tech(Hons.) in Mining Engineering, E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com
, Blogs/Websites: http://miningandblasting.wordpress.com/ , http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com
INTRODUCTION
Acid mine drainage
(AMD) in general refers to the outflow of acidic water from metal mines orcoal mines (including abandoned mines). AMD is one of the most perpetual pollution problemswhich occur world-wide in the mining areas. It refers to the distinctive type of wastewater thatoriginates from the weathering and leaching of sulphide minerals present in coal and metal orebodies.In fact, AMD from abandoned coal mines affects the quality of both groundwater and surfacewater. Drainage results from various mining methods performed in the watershed. These methodsinclude underground mining, strip mining, and auger mining. The mining process exposes iron
Abstract
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), is the outflow of acidic water from mining operations includingwaste rock, tailings, and exposed surfaces in open pits and underground workings. ARD formsas a result of the dissolution of sulphides, mainly pyrite (FeS2) and pyrrhotite (FeS) under oxidizing conditions in air and water. This oxidation releases H
+
ions and lowers thesurrounding pH to acidic levels. Acidic drainage will subsequently leach additional metalions from the adjacent rocks and deposit them. AMD is a problem because the vast majority of natural life is designed to live and survive at,or near, pH 7 (neutral). The drainage acidifies the local watercourses and so either kills or limits the growth of the river ecology. Mining operations lacking sufficient neutralizing carbonate minerals are at greatest risk of environmental degradation and usually require engineering intervention to minimize the problem. Although prevention of AMD is the most desirable option, a cost-effective preventionmethod 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 completelystop 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/controlmeasures 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.
ACID DRAINAGE FROM MINES AND ITS RELATED PROBLEMS - Prediction, quantification andimplementation of mitigation measures are the key for enhancement of environmental standard
Author: Partha Das Sharma, B.Tech(Hons.) in Mining Engineering,
E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com
, Blog: http://miningandblasting.wordpress.com/
2
sulfide (pyrite) and unremoved coal contained in the sandstone overburden to air and water.These oxidizing conditions result in an increase of acidity, which subsequently decreases the pHand increases the concentrations of dissolved metals. These consequences lead to an overalldegradation of water quality and the inability to support aquatic life.Mineral production is an important component of the economy for many countries, and in somecases it can be the major source of international revenue. However, mining and mineralproduction operations that are not well managed can contaminate groundwater and surface waterin the form of AMD, and can adversely affect the health of nearby communities that rely on thissource for drinking-water or agriculture. Extractive industries include mining of mineral deposits(principally metal-bearing ores and coal deposits), oil and natural gas production, and quarryingfor building and road-making materials. Poorly operated or abandoned mine sites are oftensignificant sources of water contamination; contaminants of particular health concern from thesesources include heavy metals, and mineral-processing chemicals, such as cyanide. Water pumpedfrom abandoned mine shafts and open-cut pits is often used for water supply, and is generallysafe and reliable. However, these water sources may sometimes be contaminated by mineralprocessing chemicals, acid mine drainage (AMD) and waste disposal. These risks must beconsidered and assessed to determine whether such water sources are safe to be used for drinking-water supply.
PRODUCING ACID FROM ROCK
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is produced by the chemical reaction of sulfide ore and associatedminerals with air and water. This reaction (as shown below) illustrates how sulfuric acid(H
2
SO
4
)and iron sulfate (FeSO
4
) are produced when the iron sulfide mineral pyrite (FeS
2
) reacts withwater:
FeS
2
+ H
2
O + 3.5O
2
= H
2
SO
4
+ FeSO
4
The iron sulfate and sulfuric acid continue to react with water and air through several steps toproduce iron hydroxide (Fe[OH]
3
) and additional sulfuric acid.The sulfuric acid is responsible for leaching metals from mine dumps as well as significantlylowering the pH in streams. The iron hydroxide is responsible for the characteristic reddish colorassociated with AMD.Although operating more slowly, the reactions described above do affect natural outcroppings of sulfide ore minerals, resulting in a characteristic reddish stain that is referred to as a ‘gossan’. Thecolor of the gossan is so distinctive that it can be seen for miles. Early mineral exploration madeuse of gossans as an indicator of where potential ore deposits might be found.
DISCUSSION ON ACID DRAINAGE AND RELATED ASPECTS
a. Acid Rock Drainage and Acid Mine Drainage -
Acid rock drainage (ARD) is a naturalprocess in which sulfuric acid is produced when
sulfides
in rocks—for example, pyrite (FeS
2
) —are exposed to air and water. This is an explanation of the natural weathering process of mineral(such as gold, copper, zinc etc.) bearing rocks exposed to atmosphere. This occurs along outcropsor scree slopes where sulfide-bearing rock is naturally weathered. Acid Rock Drainage occurswhere there are large quantities of sulphur- containing rock minerals and has been observedassociated with road building, construction (including construction at an airport) and at mines.
ACID DRAINAGE FROM MINES AND ITS RELATED PROBLEMS - Prediction, quantification andimplementation of mitigation measures are the key for enhancement of environmental standard
Author: Partha Das Sharma, B.Tech(Hons.) in Mining Engineering,
E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com
, Blog: http://miningandblasting.wordpress.com/
3
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is essentially the same process as ARD only greatly magnified. Ingeneral, rocks that contain valuable metals usually contain sulfides (metals combined withsulfur). The reason for this marriage (metal deposits with sulfide or sulfur) is that thermal watersare typically responsible for depositing many types of metallic ore. These thermal waters travelalong fractures or small channels in the host rock. As a result, the thermal waters also change themineralogy of the host rock along these fractures, creating bodies of rock referred to as
hydrothermal alteration zones
, which may be many times larger than the economically-definedore zones or veins that fill the fracture.
b. Mineral Deposits associated with AMD -
Gangue minerals are the non-valuable mineralsclosely associated with the valuable ore deposits. They generally include minerals like quartz orcalcite. During mining activities, the gangue material is commonly discarded as waste rock orlow-grade ore in an effort to extract more valuable ore minerals found in the veins. AMD istypically associated with these types of hard rock mines across the world.Another major form of AMD is associated with coal mines, where acid is formed by theoxidation of sulfur occurring in the coal and the rock or clay found above and below the coalseams.
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