Management And Mitigation Of Acid Mine Drainage In South Africa

South Africa is facing the increasing challenge of acid mine drainage (AMD) whose genesis is the country’s mining history, which paid limited attention to post-mining mine site management. In mineral resource-rich Africa, this has emerged as one of the most daunting challenges of our time. South Africa has been bold in its approach to mitigating this problem, although the challenge is multi-faceted. On a positive note, substantial research has been conducted to confront the challenge. However, thus far, the research has been largely fragmented. This book builds on the work that has been done, but also provides a refreshing multi-disciplinary approach that is useful in addressing the AMD challenges that South Africa and the continent face. Whilst addressing the problem as a scientific and engineering challenge, the book also exposes the economic, policy and legal challenges involved in addressing the problem. The book concludes, quite uniquely, that AMD is an opportunity that can be used by South Africa and Africa to solve problems, such as acute water shortage, as well as mineral recovery operations.

This SpringerBrief focuses on Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the three basins in the Witwatersrand, South Africa. It provides a background to AMD and its impactsfrom a social science perspective.The South African government and non-governmental organizations’ response to AMD is assessed, as well the socio-economic and developmental effects of AMD. This volume, which is based on the author’s Master’s dissertation at UNISA, involves interviews with a range of experts in the field from government departments, environmental organisations (activists), the private sector (mining), tourism sector and the agricultural sector. The book discusses existing policy documents on AMD and provides recommendations in response to the many socio-economic impacts which have not been fully addressed. A literature review on the global context of AMD is provided. South Africa’s water systems are already severely harmed by climate change, different forms of pollution, and poorly managed sanitation systems. For these reasons, the country is becoming increasingly water-stressed and therefore, water will continue to become much scarcer in the future. As a result of AMD’s continued impact on South Africa’s water systems, as a technical or scientific matter as well as the policy implications for the mining sector, water security and socio-economic sustainability has become a highly contested issue.

The future of mining in South Africa is hotly contested. Wide-ranging views from multiple quarters rarely seem to intersect, placing emphasis on different questions without engaging in holistic debate. This book aims to catalyse change by gathering together fragmented views into unifying conversations. It highlights the importance of debating the future of mining in South Africa and for reaching consensus in other countries across the mineral-dependent globe. It covers issues such as the potential of platinum to spur industrialisation, land and dispossession on the platinum belt, the roles of the state and capital in mineral development, mining in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the experiences of women in and affected by mining since the late 19th century and mine worker organising: history and lessons and how post-mine rehabilitation can be tackled. It was inspired not only by an appreciation of South Africas extensive mineral endowments, but also by a realisation that, while the South African mining industry performs relatively well on many technical indicators, its management of broader social issues leaves much to be desired. It needs to be deliberated whether the mining industry can play as critical a role going forward as it did in the evolution of the countrys economy.

b”Application of Nanotechnology in Mining ProcessesNanotechnology has revolutionized processes in many industries but its application in the mining industry has not been widely discussed. This unique book provides an overview of the successful implementation of nanotechnology in some of the key environmental and beneficiation mining processes. This book explores extensively the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize the mining industry which has been relying for a very long on processes with limited efficiencies. The nine specialized chapters focus on applying nanoflotation to improve mineral processing, effective extraction of metals from leachates or pregnant solutions using nanoscale supramolecular hosts, and development of nano-adsorbents or nano-based strategies for the remediation or valorization of AMD. The application of nanotechnology in mining has so far received little attention from the industry and researchers and this groundbreaking book features critical issues so far under-reported in the literature: Application of nanotechnology in mineral processing for the enhancement of froth flotation Development of smart nanomaterials and application for the treatment of acid mine drainage Recovery of values from pregnant solutions using nanoadsorbents Valorization of AMD through formation of multipurpose nanoproducts. Audience Industrial interest will be from mining plant operators, environmental managers, water treatment plants managers, and operators. Researchers in nanotechnology, environmental science, mining, and metallurgy engineering will find the book valuable, as will government entities such as regulatory bodies officers and environmentalists.

b”Application of Nanotechnology in Mining ProcessesNanotechnology has revolutionized processes in many industries but its application in the mining industry has not been widely discussed. This unique book provides an overview of the successful implementation of nanotechnology in some of the key environmental and beneficiation mining processes. This book explores extensively the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize the mining industry which has been relying for a very long on processes with limited efficiencies. The nine specialized chapters focus on applying nanoflotation to improve mineral processing, effective extraction of metals from leachates or pregnant solutions using nanoscale supramolecular hosts, and development of nano-adsorbents or nano-based strategies for the remediation or valorization of AMD. The application of nanotechnology in mining has so far received little attention from the industry and researchers and this groundbreaking book features critical issues so far under-reported in the literature: Application of nanotechnology in mineral processing for the enhancement of froth flotation Development of smart nanomaterials and application for the treatment of acid mine drainage Recovery of values from pregnant solutions using nanoadsorbents Valorization of AMD through formation of multipurpose nanoproducts. Audience Industrial interest will be from mining plant operators, environmental managers, water treatment plants managers, and operators. Researchers in nanotechnology, environmental science, mining, and metallurgy engineering will find the book valuable, as will government entities such as regulatory bodies officers and environmentalists.

HYBRIDIZIED TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF MINING EFFLUENTS The main goal of this book is to review the principles, development, and performances of hybridized technologies that have been used for the treatment of mine effluents. Recent developments consist of the integration/hybridization of technologies to achieve the effective removal of pollutants from acid mine drainage (AMD) effluents in a stepwise manner such as to ensure that the cost of the process is minimized, and the resulting water is fit for purpose. This book presents eight specialized chapters that provide a state-of-the-art review of the different hybridized technologies that have been developed over the years for the treatment of mine effluent, including AMD. The successful implementation and challenges of these technologies are highlighted to give the reader a perspective on the management of such waste in the mining industry. In this innovative book, readers will be introduced to The limitations of passive and active treatment processes as stand-alone technologies while appraising the functioning and performances of these technologies when combined to address their challenges; The numerous approaches that have been considered over the years for effective combination of these technologies are explored taking into account their successful implementation at large scale as well as the long-term sustainability. Audience This book will be of interest to academic researchers from the fields of environment, chemistry, engineering, mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, geochemistry, and professionals including mining plant operators, environmental managers in the industries, water treatment plants managers and operators, water authorities, government regulatory bodies officers and environmentalists.