scholarly journals Natural oxidation of coal tailings from Middelburg area (South Africa), and impact on acid-generation potential

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. van Wyk ◽  
E. Fosso-Kankeu ◽  
D. Moyakhe ◽  
F.B. Waanders ◽  
M. Le Roux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Acid Base Accounting ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Acid Generation ◽  
Coal Tailings

SYNOPSIS The aim of this study was to determine the acid-generating potential of coal mine tailings located in the Middelburg area, South Africa, using conventional assessment techniques. Four coal-tailing samples were collected from different layers of a coal-tailing pile. The acid-base accounting (ABA), acid-buffering characteristic curve (ABCC), and net acid generation (NAG) methods were used in conjunction with a mineralogical investigation to assess the potential of acid mine drainage (AMD) formation from the tailings. The results showed that the top layer of the pile, which was exposed to the atmosphere, was most likely to form AMD, exhibiting the lowest paste pH (2.5) and ABA of zero kg H2SO4 per ton. The ABA results were compared to ABCC results and mineralogical calculations to confirm the findings. The results from the ABCC test and calculations based on mineralogy indicated that the ABA method overestimates the effective or readily available acid neutralization capacity (ANC) and the true MPA of each sample; only three of the four samples could therefore be classified as acid-forming, but with low acid-generating capacity. Although the findings show that the top layer of the coal tailings in the Middelburg area is most likely to form AMD, it is important for future studies to further investigate the kinetics of acid formation. Keywords: acid mine drainage, acid-base accounting, mineralogy, net acid generation, coal mine tailings.

Acid mine drainage at a coal mine in the eastern Transvaal, South Africa

1998 ◽  
Vol 34 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 234-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Geldenhuis ◽  
F. G. Bell
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Mine

scholarly journals A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Assessment of Origin, Fate and Ecotoxicity of Metal(loid)s from Legacy Coal Mine Tailings

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Honorine Gauthier-Manuel ◽  
Diane Radola ◽  
Flavien Choulet ◽  
Martine Buatier ◽  
Raphaël Vauthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Biological Responses ◽  
Receiving Waters ◽  
Coal Tailings ◽  
Produce Acid

Over the course of history, the development of human societies implied the exploitation of mineral resources which generated huge amounts of mining wastes leading to substantial environmental contamination by various metal(loid)s. This is especially the case of coal mine tailings which, subjected to weathering reactions, produce acid mine drainage (AMD), a recurring ecological issue related to current and past mining activities. In this study, we aimed to determine the origin, the fate and the ecotoxicity of metal(loid)s leached from a historical coal tailing heap to the Beuveroux river (Franche-Comté, France) using a combination of mineralogical, chemical and biological approaches. In the constitutive materials of the tailings, we identified galena, tetrahedrite and bournonite as metal-rich minerals and their weathering has led to massive contamination of the water and suspended particles of the river bordering the heap. The ecotoxicity of the AMD has been assessed using Chironomus riparius larvae encaged in the field during a one-month biomonitoring campaign. The larvae showed lethal and sub-lethal (growth and emergence inhibition and delay) impairments at the AMD tributary and near downstream stations. Metal bioaccumulation and subcellular fractionation in the larvae tissues revealed a strong bioavailability of, notably, As, Pb and Tl explaining the observed biological responses. Thus, more than 70 years after the end of mining operations, the coal tailings remain a chronic source of contamination and environmental risks in AMD effluent receiving waters.

scholarly journals Governance and socio-political issues in management of acid mine drainage in South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Charles Mpofu ◽  
Thabiso John Morodi ◽  
Johan Petrus Hattingh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Black Economic Empowerment ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract The water resources in South Africa are threatened by current and past mining practices such as abandoned and closed mines. While mining is considered valuable for its contribution to this country's gross domestic product, its polluting effects on water and land resources have been criticised as unsustainable. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one specific public health and ecological issue that has stirred debates in political and social circles in this country. This paper examines the scalar politics and other related dimensions of water and AMD governance, thereby revealing evidence of deep-rooted challenges regarding the governance of water and mineral resources. The specific focus is on the socio-political context of labour laws and Black Economic Empowerment and the decision-making processes adopted by government. Thus, this paper has implications for the improvement of environmental governance and decision-making strategies and the adoption of a national strategy for adequately addressing AMD and related policy issues.

A review of recent strategies for acid mine drainage prevention and mine tailings recycling

Chemosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 219 ◽  
pp. 588-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilhwan Park ◽  
Carlito Baltazar Tabelin ◽  
Sanghee Jeon ◽  
Xinlong Li ◽  
Kensuke Seno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Mine

Potential for Passive Treatment of Coal Mine-derived Acid Mine Drainage in Abandoned Stream Channels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shagun Sharma ◽  
Nicholas J. Wander ◽  
William G. Ryan ◽  
Marissa Lautzenheiser ◽  
Teresa J. Cutright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Passive Treatment ◽  
Stream Channels ◽  
Acid Mine
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