Article Sidebar

Submitted
Apr 17, 2017
Published
Dec 1, 2001
Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 416 Download : 270

Main Article Content

Abstract

Effluent wastes from mining operations and beneficiation processes are comprized mostly of the following pollutants: total suspended solids (TTS), alkalinity or acidity (pH), settleable solids, iron in ferrous mining, and dissolved metals in nonferrous mining. Suspended solids consist of small particles of solid pollutants that resist separation by conventional means. A number of dissolved metals are considered toxic pollutants. The major metal pollutants present in ore mining and beneficiation waste waters include arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc. Tailings ponds are used for both the disposal of solid waste and the treatment of waste-water streams. The supernatant decanted from these ponds contains suspended solids and, at times, process reagents introduced to the water during ore beneficiation. Leakage of material from tailings pond into groundwater is one possible source of water pollution in the mining industry. Percolation of waste-water from impoundment may occur if tailings ponds are not properly designed. This paper addresses potential groundwater pollution due to effluent from mining activities, and the possible remediation options.

Keywords

science applied science basic science

Article Details

References

  1. AYRES, R.U. 1992. Toxic Heavy Metals: Materials Cycle Optimization. In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 89: 815-20.
  2. BARBOUR, A.K. 1994. Mining Non-ferrous Metals: In Mining and Environmental Impacts, Issues in Environmental Science and Technology, Editors: R.E. Hester and R.M.Harrison, Royal Society of Chemistry.
  3. BELL, L.C. 1997. Addressing the Environmental Impact of Mining in Australia-The Role of Research and Development. In APEC-GEMEED, Environmental Cooperation Workshop for Sustainable Development on Mining Activities, Proceedings. October 27-31, 1997., Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Metal Mining Agency of Japan, Tokyo, Japan.
  4. MCLEAN, J.E. and BLEDSOE, B.E. 1992., Behavior of Metals in Soils, EPA Ground water Issue, EPA/540/S-92/018, US Env. Prot. Agen., Washington, DC.
  5. MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, 1996. Grounwater Pollution and Remediation in Wadi Suq.
  6. PIERZYNSKI, G.M., SCHNOOR, J.L, BAUK, M.K.; TRAY, J.C., LICHT, L.A., ERICKSOU, L. E., 1994. Vegctative Remediation at superfound site in Mining and Environmental Impacts, Issues in Environmental Science and Technology, Editors: R.E. Hester and R.M.Harrison, Royal Society of Chemistry.
  7. SENGUPTA, M. 1993. Environmental Impacts of Mining Monitoring, Restoration, and Control. Lewis Publishers.
  8. TILTON, J.E. 1994. Mining Waste and the Polluter-Pays Principle in the United States. In mining and the environment. Edited by Roderick G. Eggert. Resources for the Future, Washington, D.C.