Acid Mine Drainage Management and Remediation Techniques

Acid mine drainage (AMD) arises when sulphide minerals in excavated materials are exposed to oxygen and water, leading to the generation of sulphuric acid and mobilisation of metals and metalloids. Management and remediation of AMD encompass a spectrum of strategies that aim to prevent acid generation, neutralise acidity, immobilise dissolved contaminants and recover valuable resources. Prevention often begins with source control through water covers, encapsulation of reactive waste and optimised landform design to limit oxygen ingress. Once drainage is generated, treatment approaches divide broadly into active systems—where chemical reagents or energy inputs are applied in tanks or reactors—and passive systems that harness natural processes in engineered environments. Active neutralisation typically employs alkaline reagents such as lime or hydroxides to precipitate iron, aluminium and toxic metals. Passive systems rely on geochemical media and microbial consortia to induce sulphate reduction, alkalinity generation and metal precipitation, commonly within constructed wetlands, anaerobic bioreactors or successive alkalinity producing systems. Increasingly, hybrid approaches combine active and passive stages to maximise treatment efficiency while reducing operational costs. Contemporary research also explores circular-economy frameworks that valorise mine tailings by recovering critical elements, integrating water reuse and aiming for zero liquid discharge. The global significance of effective AMD management is underscored by persistent pollution of waterways, threats to aquatic ecosystems and public health risks in both active and legacy mining districts.

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Acid Mine Drainage Management and Remediation Techniques publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in acid mine drainage management and remediation techniques across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Acid mine drainage (AMD): Acidic water enriched in metals and sulphates formed by oxidation of sulphide minerals.

Passive treatment: Remediation approach using natural processes in engineered systems to neutralise acidity and precipitate metals without continuous chemical inputs.

Active treatment: Industrial process in which reagents or energy are applied to rapidly neutralise acidity and remove contaminants.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria: Anaerobic microorganisms that generate alkalinity and precipitate metals by converting sulphate to sulphide.

Constructed wetland: Engineered vegetated system designed to treat polluted water through a combination of biological, chemical and physical processes.

Biochar: Carbon-rich material produced by pyrolysis of biomass, used to adsorb contaminants and influence microbial activity.

Circular economy: Resource management model seeking to recover, reuse and recycle materials and water, minimising waste and environmental footprint.

References

1. Biochar-induced alterations in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans activity and its impact on Cd(II) and As(III) adsorption from acid mine drainage. Biochar (2024).
2. Review of Passive Systems for Acid Mine Drainage Treatment. Mine Water and the Environment (2016).
3. Evolution of Acid Mine Drainage Formation in Sulphidic Mine Tailings. Minerals (2014).
4. Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria as an Effective Tool for Sustainable Acid Mine Bioremediation. Frontiers in Microbiology (2018).
5. Review of Constructed Wetlands for Acid Mine Drainage Treatment. Water (2018).
6. A review of circular economy strategies for mine tailings. Cleaner Engineering and Technology (2022).
7. Challenges and avenues for acid mine drainage treatment, beneficiation, and valorisation in circular economy: A review. Ecological Engineering (2022).