Overview of Active and Passive Systems for Treating Acid Mine Drainage

Abstract

Acid mine drainage is among one of the qualitative pollution created mainly by mining activities. Water drained from active or abandoned mine workings is often indicated by low pH (pH value less than 5.6) with high concentrations of heavy iron and metals sulfate. This water is commonly referred as AMD. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is known to be one of the most severe environmental problem throughout the world in the mining affecting the environment as well as the economics of metal and coal mining operations. Acid mine drainage is also called as "acid rock drainage." This review describes the sources of AMD, pollutions created by AMD and also summarizes the method and application of active and passive techniques for treatment of AMD.