Acid Mine Drainage; Prevention and Control

The major producer of acidic sulfur-rich effluents is the mining industry. Acid mine drainage (AMD) causes environmental pollution in many countries having historic or current mining industries. Waters draining active and, in particular, abandoned mines and mine wastes are often net acidic (sometimes extremely so). Such waters typically pose an additional risk to the environment by the fact that they are acidic and often contain elevated concentrations of metals (iron, aluminum and manganese, and other heavy metals) and metalloids. Preventing the formation or the migration of AMD from its source is generally considered to be the preferable option, although this is not feasible in many locations, and in such cases, it is necessary to collect, treat, and discharge mine water .In the present paper a brief review and comparative introduction to the available prevention and controlling methods in the typical and commercial acting or abandoned mines have been discussed

Keywords:

AMD , active treatment , passive treatment , remediation , prevention , control