Acid mine drainage: Challenges and opportunities

•High levels of impurities in acid mine drainage have many environmental effects.•Acid mine drainage issues cannot be solved in short term or by single intervention.•Process integration can address the problem in a holistic and sustainable manner.•Products with economic value can be generated or recovered from acid mine drainage.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) or acid rock drainage (ARD) is considered as one of the main pollutants of water in many countries that have historic or current mining activities. Its generation, release, mobility, and attenuation involves complex processes governed by a combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors. In general, AMD is produced by the oxidative dissolution of sulphide minerals. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art of AMD. It critically analyses the work performed in recent years on its occurrence, effects (on human health, plant life and aquatic species), and summarizes the remediation approaches taken so far to overcome the problem of AMD. The challenges faced in tackling the remediation of AMD have also been considered. Commercially developed projects that are either in operation, being piloted or under evaluation have also been discussed. Finally, the paper speculates on future directions or opportunities that deserve exploration.

Graphical abstractHigh levels of impurities in acid mine drainage have many environmental effects. However, process integration can address the problem in a holistic and sustainable manner.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide