The Key Factors For The Improvement Of Classification Method Of Waste Rocks Aimed At The Prevention Of Acid Mine Drainage

摘要

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is one of the serious environmental problems caused by the development of resources. A cover system has been widely introduced to coal mines in Indonesia for a reasonable cost and availability. However, there are some unclassified waste rocks and it is difficult to treat them without a reliable standard for the classification. In this study, the sample analysis and experiments were conducted in order to decide critical factors which affect AMD for establishing the standard of classification as a first step. Based on the experimental results, the decrease of pH caused by AMD was highly influenced by the form of sulfur in rocks in addition to neutralization by carbonate minerals. Therefore, the content of carbonate and the form of sulfur should be taken into account for the classification of waste rock by considering AMD potential in a short and a long term.