Mine drainage refers to the flow of water influenced by mining activities, often characterized by altered geochemistry, including elevated concentrations of dissolved metals, sulfate, and acidity (acid mine drainage) or alkalinity (neutral/alkaline drainage). It arises when excavated sulfide-bearing minerals, such as pyrite, react with oxygen and water, generating sulfuric acid and mobilizing metals. Research on mine drainage encompasses geochemical reaction pathways, hydrological transport processes, microbial catalysis of sulfide oxidation, prediction of drainage quality, and development of mitigation and treatment technologies, including passive and active systems, to prevent or reduce contamination of surface and groundwater systems.
On February 18, contamination in the Kafue river, Zambia, led to a mass death of fish. Its water turned a deathly gray and adjacent farmland was poisoned. The drinking water it supplied to half a million residents of the ...
Environment
Apr 28, 2025
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A low-value byproduct of the coal mining process is proving highly effective at helping reclaim the land and water used in mining, University of Alberta research shows.
Nanomaterials
Jul 22, 2021
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