TECHNOLOGY
“ A key water treatment strategy is to minimise the amount of contaminated water generated in the first place ”
– Dr Richard Coulton , CEO
THE TREATMENT OF contaminated water from both active and abandoned mines has come a long way over the last 40 years . During this period a variety of treatment methods have been developed .
Cause of contamination Apart from suspended solids , the principal contamination from most mines is due to the oxidation of pyrite-bearing minerals exposed to oxygen . This results in three products , all of which are water soluble and need to be treated : Ferrous Iron ( Fe2 +); Sulphate ( SO42- ) and acidity ( H + ions ).
In addition to iron , other metals such as zinc , manganese , aluminium and - depending on the rock geology - cadmium , arsenic , copper or other metals can be released into solution .
16 December 2017