mining industries
Reading time:There are three primary wastewater issues in this industry:
- mine drainage water (acid mine drainage or AMD): this is water drained from the aquifer and infiltration water that has to be pumped out to prevent the mine being flooded while it is actively worked;
- effluent from ore refining operations on the mine site (industrial wastewater effluents produced by initial ore concentration and/or metal extraction);
- post-mine management (water infiltration which, when flooding an abandoned mine, will flow out into the natural environment, for instance).
Environmental management in the mining industry world-wide is strategic, as the required volumes of water are so substantial.