Prediction and Remediation of Water Quality in Monitoring Potential of Acid Mine Drainage

Abstract

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) associated with both active and abandoned mining operations related to sulfide minerals, oxidation of pyrite affording an acidic solution that contains toxic metal ions. Result shows that pH value of water in Kg. Aur, Chini and Sg. Lembing are acidic with value of 2.81, 4.16 and 3.60 respectively. Maximum concentrations of heavy metals in the study area are: Pb (0.2 mg/L), Cd (0.05 mg/L), Zn (5.1 mg/L), Cu (5.2 mg/L), Mn (10.9 mg/L), Cr (0.2 mg/L), Ni (0.2 mg/L), As (0.005 mg/L) and Fe (202.69 mg/L). Prediction of acid formation using acid-base calculations from all samples shows high potential acid production between 22.84-2500.16 kg CaCO 3 /tonne. The ratio of Neutralization (NP) with Acid Potential (APP) shows a very low value (ratio<1) Sg. Lembing (0.02), Chini (0.08), Selinsing (0.31) and Kg. Aur (0.81). Analysis from the tank experiment after 30 days shows pH of LFS, bentonite, activated carbon and zeolite change to 6.11, 3.91, 2.98 and 2.71 respectively. Three mine sites experiencing AMD are Kg. Aur, Chini and Sg. Lembing. Active neutralization treatment successfully shows LFS has great potential to control AMD based on their ability to neutralize the pH and remove heavy metals in the mine water. Meanwhile, the second adsorbent material is bentonite followed by activated carbon and zeolite.

The Mixture of Limes in Acid Mine Drainage Treatment

“…Table 2 shows the sources of AMD [21,29]. In Malaysia, certain mines encounter AMD issues, especially occurring in abandoned mines [30,31,32,33,34]. Table 3 shows the mines in Malaysia that have issues with AMD.…”

“…Table 3 shows the mines in Malaysia that have issues with AMD. [30,31,32,33,34]. A Previous study had shown that commercial quicklime and CL were used to treat AMD from an active tailing pond in Perak, Malaysia [35].…”

“…Emergency ponds Table 3. The active and abandoned mines that encounter issues of AMD [30,31,32,33,34] No.…”