Abstract
Metal contamination due to coal leaching has caused various detrimental health hazards in the vicinity of mining industries. To evaluate the release of metal upon weathering under natural condition, aqueous leaching experiments of three different coal samples, from three coalfields - Neyveli, West Bokaro and Makum, were carried out. These coalfields represent three contrasting geological settings. Concentration of Cu and Cr in West Bokaro, and Ni in Makum coal exceeds that of world range. Leachate from Makum coal is highly acidic and contains very high concentration of Fe, Ni, Pb, Mn and Cd. This is mainly caused due to the dominance of pyrite in coal. On the other hand, coals from other mines release near neutral to slightly alkaline leachate. Leachate quality is mainly controlled by the mineralogy, which is a manifestation of depositional environment. Therefore, proper care needs to be taken during storage and dumping of coal at Makum area in order to control the metal contamination.
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