Treatment of high-manganese mine water with limestone and sodium carbonate

► Both pH and carbonate concentrations affect manganese removal from mine waters. ► IR spectroscopy confirmed manganese carbonate formation on the limestone surface. ► At low Mg/Mn ratios, magnesium carbonate is not detected on limestone. ► Mn(II) content as high as 140 mg/L can be efficiently removed by Na2CO3-CaCO3 pulps.