Acid mine drainage (AMD), the acidic water discharged from active, inactive, or abandoned mine sites, is the largest environmental liability facing the mining industry. Currently large quantities of lime are used for AMD control by mining companies. The manufacture of lime contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since about 0.8 tonnes of CO_2 are generated for every tonne of lime produced. This study presents an innovative approach of using coal fly ash, a byproduct from coal-fired utilities, to replace lime for AMD control in reactive mine tailings. A case study is presented to demonstrate that at on mining sites with access to high calcium coal fly ash, this approach is effective, cost efficient and presents minimum adverse environmental impacts.
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