PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF LIMESTONE-BASED PASSIVE TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR LOW-pH ACID MINE DRAINAGE IN ANDEAN BOLIVIA
2012; American Society of Mining and Reclamation; Volume: 2012; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.21000/jasmr12010426
ISSN2328-8744
AutoresK. Palmer, Francy López, R.R. Callapa, A.A. Neptune, Abdoulaye Cissé, C.T. Breazile, Robert W. Nairn, William H.J. Strosnider,
Tópico(s)Mine drainage and remediation techniques
ResumoAn Anoxic Limestone Drain (ALD) and Open Limestone Channel (OLC) are primary components of the Project for the Restoration of Rio Juckucha, in Potosi, Bolivia; the goal of which is to improve water quality for irrigation use in the high Andes. The OLC is treating low-pH (2.9) acid mine drainage from a man-made alpine lake receiving discharges from portals, tailings, and waste-rock from active and abandoned mining operations. The ALD is treating milder acid mine drainage (pH 5.4) from an abandoned mine portal. Both systems treat waters that run to Laguna Santa Catalina, which forms the headwaters of Rio Juckucha, a key irrigation water resource. The alkalinity generation and metals removal performance of the recently-constructed ALD and partially-constructed OLC was investigated to determine early-stage treatment characteristics. The results indicated that the OLC at 20% completion was having relatively little impact. The recently-constructed ALD is showing water quality improvements (higher pH and alkalinity). However, there is a concern with increased Zn and Mn concentrations in the ALD effluent. Studies will continue upon construction completion to determine long term performance. Additional
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