Source Treatment of AMD at a Reclaimed Coal Mine in Eastern USA

A backfilled surface coalmine in eastern USA was impacted by AMD throughout the site, where groundwater pH was below the compliance level. The AMD was adversely affecting the surface water within and around the site. An electromagnetic (EM) survey of the impacted site was used to determine the “hot” zones. Injection wells were installed in areas as determined from the EM survey. The AMD treatment amendment was prepared and mixed onsite. AMD treatment mixture was then injected into the “hot” zones in the subsurface via the injection wells.

Monitoring of the groundwater down-gradient from the injection points indicated that the pH reached neutral levels after 6 months. Thus far, the area treated with the AMD treatment technology has remained in compliance 18 years after its implementation, indicating the longevity and effectiveness of the AMD treatment technology

Source Treatment of ARD (Lab Study)

A hard rock mine in southwest USA was generating ARD from its tailing piles. The ARD was leaching to the subsurface, as well as draining into nearby surface water. Preliminary treatability studies applying the ARD treatment technology were conducted from the hard rock mine tailing materials, and water from the site. The pH was monitored to determine the performance. Laboratory tests indicated that the treatment technology mitigated the formation of ARD from the source material (mine tailings); therefore, the ARD treatment technology has potential for treating mine tailing piles.