Prediction of acid mine drainage potential of dump sites by using static tests: an application on lignite mine

Oxidation of sulphur-containing rocks of the waste of open pit mine activities is one comment and important process. This mineralization process plays essential role in development of acid mine drainage (AMD). It is well known that this waste and its transforming development and movement presents a real threat not only for soil structure and nearby environmental, but also increases the risks of groundwater contamination and will affect public health. In this study and unlike traditional methods, AMD formation of the private enterprise dump site located in the Tuncbilek region of Kutahya was determined by taking into account different sampling depth and point-by-point basis. For this purpose, the geological structure of the site was examined and the characterization of the minerals in the waste was revealed. In addition, sulphur analysis of the samples and static tests were carried out to determine the acid generation potential (AGP) and neutralization potential (NP) of the site. The archived results showed that the AGP of the studied dump site was determined as 12 kg CaCO3 t(-1) while NP was determined as 240 kg CaCO3 t(-1). In addition, the NP/AGP ratio was calculated as greater than 3. According to these results, it can be concluded that AMD will not occur in these sites in the short or medium term.