mining industries

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There are three primary wastewater issues in this industry:

  • mine drainage water (acid mine drainage or AMD): this is water drained from the aquifer and infiltration water that has to be pumped out to prevent the mine being flooded while it is actively worked;
  • effluent from ore refining operations on the mine site (industrial wastewater effluents produced by initial ore concentration and/or metal extraction);
  • post-mine management (water infiltration which, when flooding an abandoned mine, will flow out into the natural environment, for instance).

Environmental management in the mining industry world-wide is strategic, as the required volumes of water are so substantial.

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