MINE WATER
Getting to grips with acid mine drainage South Africa has been challenged with the management and treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) for decades. By Dr Laetitia Coetser and Dr Andrew Wood
W
hile there are many operational mines affected by AMD, the problem also exists for mines that have ceased operations – leaving behind long-term water quality issues. AMD is evident in a number of areas around South Africa, but particularly in Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West.
Acid mine drainage is an increasing environmental challenge
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Dr Laetitia Coetser, associate partner and principal scientist, SRK Consulting
Numerous media articles, especially between 2000 and 2010, highlighted the possible flooding of the Johannesburg CBD and destruction of river systems that could result from the decant of mine water across this area. To address this imminent danger, the then Department of Water Affairs initiated ‘emergency measures’. These prioritised the installation of pumping systems and the construction of high-density sludge (HDS) pretreatment facilities for mine water in the
Dr Andrew Wood, partner and principal scientist, SRK Consulting
