Improved prediction, remediation and closure of AMD/NMD sites by examination of mine waste behaviour at the meso-scale
Dig Deeper Webinar: Improved prediction, remediation and closure of acid and neutral metalliferous drainage
Project 3.10, Project summary
Research Program
Operational Solutions
Project Leader
Professor Sarah Harmer
Meet the PhD Students working on this project.
Project ID
3.10
Summary
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is a significant issue in the mining industry. It can occur when sulphate minerals are brought to the surface, exposing them to air and water. Prevention and management is challenging. Inability to manage can affect water runoff and quality, with serious environmental impacts.
There are many reasons why AMD remains a challenge, including the need for improved evidence and processes to better forecast when AMD may occur and implement appropriate prevention and management controls.
From a post-mine land use perspective, resulting impacts on water quality can prevent restoration and repurposing of sites for future uses.
Our largest project aims to help address these challenges and resulting impacts through:
- a multidisciplinary approach – including mineralogy and microbiology – to examine the behaviour of mine wastes.
- use of this knowledge to understand and develop ways of using microbial activity for AMD control.
- development of improved AMD/NMD testing procedures to identify and quantify sources of neutralisation.
It includes an emphasis on meso-scale (more than one tonne) testing of AMD/NMD behaviours of mine wastes.
This knowledge will be captured in:
- a new handbook to inform mine decision-making and planning to prevent and manage AMD/NMD, with the aim of reducing impacts on water quality.
- community education resources.
- training materials.
- journal articles and presentations.
Project Partners
Flinders University; Newmont; MMG; Rio Tinto; Fortescue; BHP; Teck Resources; Genome Research Facility Limited; Okane; Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia; Department for Energy and Mining, South Australian Government; Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Mineral Resources Tasmania; The University of Queensland; University of Windsor, Blue Minerals Consultancy
Duration
60 months to early 2027