Evaluation of the applicability of the passive treatment for the management of polluted mine water in the Witwatersrand Goldfields, South Africa.

摘要

Acid mine drainage in the Witwatersrand Goldfields threatens scarce water resources, the social welfare and the environment. Current management involves the use of active treatment with lime which is considered to be expensive and has limited efficiency. A study was conducted to review and evaluate the potential application of the passive treatment. The applicability of these systems is limited by the presence of large volume of polluted water, but may be successfully implemented to treat small streams of polluted water in the area, such as minor seepages from the flooded underground workings and leachate from the old mine residues.