Mine Water Disposal Research Articles

Development of Artificial Geochemical Filter to Treat Acid Mine Drainage for Safe Disposal of Mine Water in Salt Range Portion of Indus Basin—A Lab to Pilot Scale Study

Several passive and active treatment approaches are available for dealing with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Despite a range of newly emergent techniques for the treatment of AMD, pH control using low-cost neutralizing reagents has been the most common and economical technique for the treatment of AMD. Thereby, owing to their widespread availability, ease of use, and cost effectiveness, active treatment techniques utilizing calcium-based reagents (particularly limestone) are considered the prime choice for treating AMD. Limestone is a well-known option worldwide for AMD neutralization thanks to its easy availability, low cost, and excellent efficiency. Generally, acidity is reduced by the presence of CaCO3 and alkalinity (i.e., HCO−3) is increased. pH can be increased from 2.5 to 7.5 by using limestone as a treating agent, resulting in the precipitation of heavy metals, which can then be removed by precipitation and sorption. Wargal limestone, a well-known limestone from the Salt Range, Indus basin, Pakistan, has high potential for neutralization and treatment of PTEs present in mine water or AMD. After selecting a suitable neutralization material at pilot scale, two different filters were designed using selected Wargal limestone: Filter 1 A (Oxic-based, Vertical bed-type Wargal Limestone Filter) and Filter 1 B (Anoxic-based Vertical bed-type Wargal Limestone Filter with Compost). The pH of the AMD under study was elevated from 2.5 to 7.65 and 7.60, respectively, in uncoated and coated media of limestone. Although the neutralization potential decreased over time, as an overall phenomenon the Ca concentration and net alkalinity (280–360 mg/L) were increased with the removal of metals such as Fe, Cu, Pb and Mn. The respective removal efficiency of these metals was 98%, 99%, 99% and 60%, with a threshold residence time of 5 h. in all columns of the developed filters.

Long-term changes in the chemical composition of the water of the Inhulets and Saksahan rivers within the Kryvorizkyi Iron Ore Basin (1980–2020)


 
 
 The article presents the generalized results of chemical composition research of waters from Inhulets and Saksahan rivers on the territory adjacent to the Northern and Inhulets with pumping of underground waters (mine and quarry), which have an abnormal chemical composition, high mineralization and contain high concentrations of microcomponents. The following scheme of mine water utilization is used in the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin: the mines of the northern part of Kryvbas discharge water into the tailings dam of Northern Iron Ore Dressing works (Northern GZK); mines of the southern part discharge mine waters into the storage pond of the Svistunov creek during the year, and in the winter its waters are discharged into the Inhulets River with subsequent washing of the river in the spring-summer period. Such treatment of mine and quarry waters has led to the formation of a hydrochemical anomaly on the territory of Northern GZK with the center in the tailings. The mineralization of water in the pond reaches 23 g / l (2020). There is a high content of microcomponents: lead, cadmium, vanadium, manganese, boron, bromine, nickel, mercury, thiocyanates. As a result, the mineralization of the Saksahan River water increases over time (up to 5.4 g / l), the content of microcomponents also increases and becomes quite high. Prolonged use of the Inhulets River for utilization of mine water from the Svistunov creek storage pond has led to a change in the type of water: instead of type II (river water), Inhulets water belongs to the type III (metamorphosed waters). There are no regularities in the change of chemical composition of water (hydrochemical regime) in Inhulets, which is a consequence of the introduction of the scheme "discharge – flushing" for the disposal of mine water. Among the microcomponents in the water of Inhulets there is an increased content of vanadium, boron and bromine (7–8 times), single excess of lead content. The analysis of equilibria in the carbonate-calcium system of the Inhulets and Saksahan rivers confirmed that the existing hydrochemical regime for the studied rivers is stationary, thus, the environmental measures implemented will not have rapid consequences.
 
 

Proper Adhesive Choice Increases Photothermal Float Durability in Mine Water Disposal Applications

The use of photothermal materials to enhance evaporative water disposal can be limited by material durability, scale formation, and interactions between the photothermal materials and variable water chemistries. Granular activated carbon (GAC) was chosen as a photothermal material based on previous research. Using a custom-built, bench-scale evaporation platform that mimics the solar spectrum and intensity, evaporation trials were performed to determine the effect of water quality, GAC grain size, and float adhesives on water evaporation rates. Adhesives to attach the GAC to HDPE floats were tested for bond strength and durability, and the adhesive’s effects on GAC’s evaporative properties were measured by contact angle, water retention, and surface area analyses. While large differences in durability were observed with the different adhesives, no significant differences were discovered between grain sizes, adhesives, or water quality in the evaporation tests (p > 0.05). Scale formation from three test waters was observed and characterized by SEM and EDS; however, scale did not lead to any significant changes in evaporative performance of the floats. Thus, consistent evaporation rates measured in the bench scale evaporation chamber regardless of GAC grain size, adhesive type, and water quality, indicate the potential versatility of GAC in photothermal water disposal.

Potential for mine water disposal in coal seam goaf: Investigation of storage coefficients in the Shendong mining area

Abstract Water resource shortages and coal mine water disposal create major challenges faced by Northwest China. This study investigated the idea of building underground reservoirs in coal seam goaf after coal mining activities in support of water resource protection and use. Several underground reservoirs have already been successfully constructed in the Shendong mining area. To inform reservoir construction, a mathematical fluid-solid coupling model was developed for calculating the storage coefficient and reservoir volume. Moreover, the effects of different physical parameters on the underground reservoirs were investigated. In addition, the storage coefficient of the Shendong mining area was calculated, which can contribute to site selection for future water storage facility development in that area. The results show that the rock bulking coefficient and mining height all have significant effects on the storage coefficient, in terms of uncertainty analysis. The storage coefficients in the Shendong mining area ranged from 12.80% to 33.80% (mean 22.30%). The total water storage for 18 typical underground reservoirs is 1857 × 104 m3. The utilization ratio of mine water could increase from less than 25% to more than 90%. The highest storage coefficients for underground reservoirs would be in the boundary region of the Shendong mining area. The presented approach is helpful for improving mine water use and environmental protection and has broad application prospects.

Increase of ecological safety of mine water disposal in the Lviv-Volyn coal basin

Розглянуто варіанти коригування системи регульованого відведення шахтної води на період будівництва вугледобувної шахти «Любельська» № 1-2. Виконано вибір і екологічне обґрунтування варіантів скидання зворотних шахтних вод в канал «Бутинський». Обґрунтовано схему відведення розбавлених шахтних вод по каналу «Бутинський» в р. Рата (Україна). Доведено необхідність реалізації водоохоронного заходу – моніторингу якісного складу шахтних вод, які відводяться в річкові системи.

Determination of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in Wastes and Sewage Water from Mining Industry by Chromato-Mass Spectrometry

A method for determination of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in geoenvironmental subjects by gas chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection was proposed. The distribution of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in wastes and sewage water samples from mining plants was studied. The presence of this compound in surface water was established. Other nitrogen-containing compounds, in particular, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and<br />2,4,-dinitrotoluene, were also identified in the studied samples.<br />The 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is the most important shattering explosive used for blasting out. This compound is highly toxic and stable to biodegradation. The TNT belongs to the second hazard class (highly hazardous); its maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in drinking water sources was strongly restricted, from 0.5 to 0.01 mg/L. A method for determination of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in surface water, sewage water and wastes by gas chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection has been developed. The TNT calibration curve was shown to be linear over the concentration range of 1.6-160 μg/mL, and the correlation factor of the line was equal to 0.997. The distribution of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in sewage water and wastes from mining plants has been studied. Mine water in the case of underground mining has high TNT concentrations, which cannot be decreased by the existing traditional methods of sewage water treatment. TNT is detected also in surface water after mine water disposal. Note that the TNT concentrations can exceed many times the maximum permissible concentrations prescribed for water works system.<br />2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 2,4,-dinitrotoluene, which can be considered as products of TNT metabolism, were also identified in the studied samples. The developed method and results of the present study make it possible to introduce the quantitative<br />determination of TNT and its metabolites into the programs for monitoring of surface water, sewage water and wastes in the mining plant sites in different countries as well in Russia, namely in Kuzbass.

Operation and monitoring guidelines and the development of a screening tool for irrigating with coal mine water in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

It is predicted that vast volumes of impacted mine water will be produced by mining activities in the Mpumalanga coalfields of South Africa. Irrigation provides for a novel approach to the utilisation and disposal of mine water, under the correct conditions. The significance of these findings lies in the versatility of this irrigation. Communities which often have very few other resources can utilise mine water to generate livelihoods. Research over a period of more than 10 years has shown that this water can be used successfully for the irrigation of a range of crops. The potential environmental impact of this excess water is of great concern in a water-scarce country like South Africa. There is, however, continuing concern from the local regulators regarding the long-term impact that large-scale mine-water irrigation may have on groundwater quality and quantity. Detailed research has been undertaken over the past number of years on both undisturbed soils and in coal-mining spoils. These sites range from sandy soils to very clayey soils. The results indicate that many of the soils have considerable attenuation capacities and that over the period of irrigation, a large proportion of the salts are contained in the upper portions of the unsaturated zones below each irrigation pivot. The volumes and quality of water leaching through to the aquifers have been quantified at each site. From these data mixing ratios were calculated in order to determine the effect of the irrigation water on the underlying aquifers. One of the outcomes from this study was to define the conditions under which mine-water irrigation can be implemented and the associated operational and monitoring guidelines that should be followed. These have been based on the findings from this study, the fundamental considerations of mine-water irrigation, the regulatory environment and, as far as possible, the practical implementation of mine-water irrigation as part of optimal mine-water management. In an attempt to standardise decision-making regarding mine-water irrigation, the criteria, data, rules and fundamentals discussed have been combined in a user-friendly tool, called GIMI (Groundwater Impacts from Minewater Irrigation). This tool should assist in the practical implementation of mine-water irrigation as part of optimal mine-water management.

Assessment of the Impact of Irrigation with Low-quality Mine Water on Virgin and Rehabilitated Soils in the Upper Olifants Basin

Low-quality mine water from collieries may be used in large quantities to irrigate agricultural crops on virgin (unmined) and rehabilitated soils in South Africa. Such a use could enhance crop production and allow environmentally sustainable mine water disposal. In this study, the volume and qualities of the runoff from two centre pivots irrigated with moderately saline mine water, as well as their soil water salinities, were monitored and used to determine water and salt balances, using the modified ACRU agrohydrological model, ACRU2000, and its salinity module, ACRUSalinity. At both sites, much of the water evaporated, while a significant part of the salt input either precipitated or remained with the water in the soil horizons. A higher percentage of drainage water (and salinity) were retained as ground water storage and a lower percentage of runoff occurred in the rehabilitated sandy loam soil, while a higher percentage of salts accompanied runoff in the virgin clayey soils. Simulated salt saturation values indicate that many crops could be successfully irrigated at 100% yield potential at either site. Electrical resistivity surveys were carried out at both sites. A general decrease in resistivities with depth in both the virgin and rehabilitated soils reflected the decreasing influence of the mine water used for irrigation with depth and the precipitation of salts in the soils close to the ground surface. The occurrence of a thicker, low-resistivity, near-surface layer near the exit of each pivot area indicates that the water and salt content of the subsurface increased in the direction that the surface and near-surface irrigation water flowed.

Recollections of a golden age: the groundwater schemes of Southern Water 1970–1990

Abstract The creation of the river authorities and Water Resources Board in 1965 and the Water Authorities, Water Research Centre and Central Water Planning Unit in 1974 led to an explosion of groundwater investigation and development in England and Wales. In Southern Water’s region, from the Hastings Beds of the Wealden Series to the Recent beach gravels at Dungeness, a dozen or so schemes were carried out to investigate and develop aquifers and manage their groundwater resources. Six schemes are described here, including artificial recharge in Sussex, groundwater augmentation in Hampshire and the assessment of saline contamination from minewater disposal in East Kent.

坑廃水処理における中和剤としてのＭｇＯの適用性について

Applicability of magnesium oxide as a neutralizing agent in mine water disposal has been investigated using an artificial mine water containing ferrous iron of 1,000 mg dm-3 in terms of the reagent dosage and the reaction time. Ferrous ions were more effectively oxidized to ferric ions by aeration of the solution in the presence of magnesium oxide than by that in the presence of limestone. Aeration of the solution decreased the magnesium oxide dosage and the reaction time required for lowering the iron concentration to the acceptable value. Furthermore, recycling of the sludge showed the effects of reduction of the reagent dosage, shortening of the reaction time and densification of the sludge. Sludge recycle processes without and with aeration formed a sludge with the solid concentration of 0.155 and 0.373 g cm-3 by the addition of magnesium oxide of 1.25 and 1.5 equivalents for ferrous iron and sulfuric acid in the solution, respectively. In both processes, the reaction times were 30 minutes.

96/04332 Consequence of the Kizel Coalfield acid mine water disposal into karst cavities

96/04332 Consequence of the Kizel Coalfield acid mine water disposal into karst cavities

Consequence of the Kizel coafield acid mine water disposal into karst cavities: N. G. Maximovich, V. N. Kataev & S. M. Blinov, in: Water-rock interaction. Proc. symposium, Vladivostok, 1995, ed Y.K. Kharaka & O.V. Chudaev, (Balkema), 1995, pp 885–888

Consequence of the Kizel coafield acid mine water disposal into karst cavities: N. G. Maximovich, V. N. Kataev & S. M. Blinov, in: Water-rock interaction. Proc. symposium, Vladivostok, 1995, ed Y.K. Kharaka & O.V. Chudaev, (Balkema), 1995, pp 885–888

The treatment and disposal of mine water at neves corvo mine

The treatment and disposal of mine water at neves corvo mine

Flocculation and Dispersion of Supensions

Some of the results of the sedimentation experiments made in our laboratory are summarized. lt is emphasized that the Verwey-Overbeek theory and the heteroflocculation theory proposed by Derjaguin are available for the interpretation of some results. These experiments are as follows : 1) the effects of pH on the flocculation of the quartz aqueous suspensions containing Ba2+, Fe3+ or Cu2+, respectively, 2) the sedimentation characteristics of CaCO3 neutralization method in mine water disposal and 3) the flocculation and dispersion of the mineral suspensions by macromolecules and of the magnetite aqueous suspension by the collector (sodium oleate) in its flotation.