Application of ion exchange polymers in acid mine drainage

摘要

If the mining industry is to embrace the concept of sustainable development and responsible mining, then restoration and remediation of previously mined sites, including the treatment of effluents generated at currently operating mine sites and the design, planning and implementation of improved technologies for new mines requires significant and detailed consideration. "Prevention is better than cure" should be an essential part of developing a mineral resource. Post remediation will inevitably cost more than a pre-planned environmental approach to mine construction. In this respect, sulphide-containing minerals, particularly iron, which leads to acid formation and in turn, effluents such as copper-containing acid drainage and copper-containing soils and tailings represent a significant problem for the mining industry. The Berkeley pit at Butte, Montana and the Mt Lyell acid drainage problem in Tasmania represent just two of the many sites throughout the world for which acceptable treatment methods are required. The application of ion exchange resins and other related technologies to recover copper and other transition metals from Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) solutions will be discussed. The processes under consideration include the selective recovery of copper, nickel and cobalt from iron or alternatively, the removal of iron by precipitation, followed by the recovery of copper and other transition metals. The economics of the various processes as determined for Mt. Lyell, will be discussed.