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Review of Peer-Reviewed Documents on Treatment Technologies Used at Mining Waste Sites
Citation:
Mahoney, M., B. Butler, AND S. Solutions, Inc. Review of Peer-Reviewed Documents on Treatment Technologies Used at Mining Waste Sites. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA 542-R-20-002, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The U.S. Environmental Protection agency conducts and supervises investigation and cleanup actions at a variety of abandoned mine lands (AMLs). AMLs are those lands, waters and surrounding watersheds where extraction, beneficiation, or processing of ores and minerals has occurred. U.S. EPA’s AML Program identifies ways to protect human health and the environment by pursuing opportunities to explore innovative site cleanup and reuse opportunities at these sites. Case studies examining treatment technologies used for remediating mining-influenced water (MIW) and mining wastes have been conducted at many hard rock mining sites and range in type from bench studies to full-scale field studies. The research in this report was conducted to capture the capabilities, efficiencies, technological and site-specific requirements, and lessons learned for technologies and methods used in field-scale studies. Documenting studies of treatment technologies at Superfund and other sites is important in providing an understanding of these technologies remove contaminants and can aid practitioners in the remediation community in determining if the technology would be effective under the conditions of their site of interest. This report has been developed to assist readers in understanding the capabilities and limitations of remedial technologies employed at mining sites. EPA intends to periodically update this document as additional information or case studies become available.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection agency conducts and supervises investigation and cleanup actions at a variety of abandoned mine lands (AMLs). AMLs are those lands, waters and surrounding watersheds where extraction, beneficiation, or processing of ores and minerals has occurred. U.S. EPA’s AML Program identifies ways to protect human health and the environment by pursuing opportunities to explore innovative site cleanup and reuse opportunities at these sites. Case studies examining treatment technologies used for remediating mining-influenced water (MIW) and mining wastes have been conducted at many hard rock mining sites and range in type from bench studies to full-scale field studies. The research in this report was conducted to capture the capabilities, efficiencies, technological and site-specific requirements, and lessons learned for technologies and methods used in field-scale studies. Documenting studies of treatment technologies at Superfund and other sites is important in providing an understanding of these technologies remove contaminants and can aid practitioners in the remediation community in determining if the technology would be effective under the conditions of their site of interest. This report has been developed to assist readers in understanding the capabilities and limitations of remedial technologies employed at mining sites. EPA intends to periodically update this document as additional information or case studies become available.