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Minerals
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Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage
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Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2021) | Viewed by 14398

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Vhahangwele Masindi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa
Interests: water and wastewater treatment; water quality monitoring; environmental remediation; water security; water and wastewater valorization and beneficiation; recovery of minerals from water and wastewater
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Contamination of different spheres of the environment with acid mine drainage (AMD) has been a worrisome issue of concern to national, regional, and international scientific communities alike. This is attributed to the magnitude of toxicological effects to living organisms upon exposure to AMD. Specifically, AMD grossly results from various geogenic and anthropogenic activities that lead to the generation of metalliferous and acidic drainage. In most countries, the mining of coal and gold are the benefactors to the generation of pollutant/toxicant-laden drainages. Due to various teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects posed by chemical species therein, regulatory frameworks require AMD to be treated prior to its discharge into various receiving compartments of the environment. This has resulted in the development of a wide array of technologies to treat, beneficiate, and valorize AMD. The quest for viable technologies is still ongoing, and recent initiatives are striving for zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) processes in an attempt to foster the concept of circular economy and curtail ecological footprints of AMD.

This Special Issue welcomes papers proposing pragmatic, prudent, and eco-friendly solutions that promote treatment, beneficiation, and valorization of AMD. Papers presenting employment of innovative approaches at laboratory scales, field trials, pilot scales, and demonstrations are especially welcome.

Dr. Vhahangwele Masindi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • acid mine drainage
  • wastewater
  • wastewater treatment
  • wastewater beneficiation
  • wastewater valorization
  • acid mine drainage treatment

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3967 KiB  
Article
Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage
by Rhulani Shingwenyana, Ayanda N. Shabalala, Ryneth Mbhele and Vhahangwele Masindi
Minerals 2021, 11(12), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11121352 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2534
Abstract
The concept of circular economy in wastewater treatment has recently attracted immense interest and this is primarily fueled by the ever-growing interest to minimise ecological footprints of mining activities and metallurgical processes. In light of that, countries such as the Republic of South [...] Read more.
The concept of circular economy in wastewater treatment has recently attracted immense interest and this is primarily fueled by the ever-growing interest to minimise ecological footprints of mining activities and metallurgical processes. In light of that, countries such as the Republic of South Africa, China, Australia, and the United States are at the forefront of water pollution due to the generation of notorious acid mine drainage (AMD). The disposal of AMD to different receiving environments constitutes a severe threat to the receiving ecosystem thus calling for prudent intervention to redress the prevailing challenges. Recent research emphasises the employment of wastewater treatment, beneficiation and valorisation. Herein, the techno-economic evaluation of the reclamation of clean water and valuable minerals from AMD using the Magnesite Softening and Reverse Osmosis (MASRO) process was reported. The total capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the plant is ZAR 452,000 (USD 31,103.22) which includes ZAR 110,000 (USD 7569.37) for civil works on a plant area of 100 m2. The operational expenditure (OPEX) for the pilot is 16,550,000 ZAR (South African Rand) or USD 1,138,845.72 in present value terms (10 years plant life). The plant reclaimed drinking water as specified in different water quality standards, guidelines, and specifications, including Fe-based minerals (goethite, magnetite, and hematite), Mg-gypsum, and calcium carbonate. These minerals were verified using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. The recovered valuables will be sold at ZAR 368/kL (USD 25.32), ZAR 1100/t (USD 75.69), and ZAR 2000/t (USD 137.62) for water, gypsum, and limestone, respectively. The project has an NPV of ZAR 60,000 (USD 4128.75) at an IRR of 26%. The payback period for this investment will take 3 years. The total power consumption per day was recorded to be 146.6 kWh, and 103,288 kWh/annum. In conclusion, findings of this work will significantly contribute to improving the sustainability of the mining sector by proposing economically feasible solutions for wastewater streams treatment, beneficiation, and valorisation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage)
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19 pages, 3797 KiB  
Article
Determination of Potentially Harmful Element (PHE) Distribution in Water Bodies in Krugersdorp, a Mining City in the West Rand, Gauteng Province, South Africa
by Michael Shapi, Maryam Amra Jordaan, Andile Truelove Mbambo, Theophilus Clavell Davies, Emmanuel Chirenje and Mpumelelo Dube
Minerals 2021, 11(10), 1133; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11101133 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3125
Abstract
The town of Krugersdorp in South Africa is the locus of an important wildlife game reserve, the Krugersdorp Game Reserve (KGR), which is juxtaposed by the (<1000 m) down-gradient of the large-scale gold mining outfits of Mintails Mogale Gold (MMG) and Rand Uranium [...] Read more.
The town of Krugersdorp in South Africa is the locus of an important wildlife game reserve, the Krugersdorp Game Reserve (KGR), which is juxtaposed by the (<1000 m) down-gradient of the large-scale gold mining outfits of Mintails Mogale Gold (MMG) and Rand Uranium (RU). The aim of the study was to determine the concentration levels of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) that have accumulated due to post-mining activities in the local water bodies in Krugersdorp and to use these data as a prerequisite and basis for formulation of the most appropriate remediation measures. Thirty water samples were collected and analysed in situ for: water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (mgl−1), dissolved oxygen (%), total dissolved solids (TDS), oxidation/reduction potential (ORP), and electrical conductivity (EC). This was later followed by laboratory analyses of aliquots of the water samples by ICP-MS for twelve PHEs whose concentration ranges were: As (0.70–32.20), Ag (0.16–105.00), Al (1.00–41.00), Co (0.07–6.16), Cr (1.60–5.00), Cu (0.80–8.00), Fe (23.00–117.00), Mn (0.14–12 255.00), Ni (0.20–7.00), Pb (0.80–6.30), V (1.90–55.20), and Zn (2.20–783.00). Areas of the town where excessive concentration levels of these elements have negatively impacted the health of its wildlife population and surrounding ecosystems are identified, and credible mitigation measures proffered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage)
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24 pages, 5223 KiB  
Article
The Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Using Vertically Flowing Wetland: Insights into the Fate of Chemical Species
by Beauclair Nguegang, Vhahangwele Masindi, Titus Alfred Makudali Msagati and Memory Tekere
Minerals 2021, 11(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11050477 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2960
Abstract
In this study, the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) using vertically flowing wetland was explored. The wetland was enriched with Vetiveria zizanioides as a decontaminating media and soil as the substrate. Water was percolated through the substrate and the throughput samples were [...] Read more.
In this study, the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) using vertically flowing wetland was explored. The wetland was enriched with Vetiveria zizanioides as a decontaminating media and soil as the substrate. Water was percolated through the substrate and the throughput samples were collected and characterized every five days for a period of 30 days. The obtained results revealed a tolerant index of 1.03 for Vetiveria zizanioides, and a net reduction of metals and sulfate. The removal efficacy of chemical species was observed to obey the following order: Fe (71.25%) > Zn (70.40%) > Mn (62%) > Al (56.68%)> SO42− (55.18%) > Ni (35%) > Cu (18.83%). The removal of chemical species was further aided by the used substrate, and this could be attributed to the accumulation of chemical species on the soil through precipitation, adsorption, and phyto-retention. As such, it could be deduced that the substrate plays a significant role in the removal of metals, while the grass and external factors accounted for the rest of the chemical species attenuation. The translocation assessment revealed that the distribution of chemical species was observed to be predominant in the roots, except manganese, which was transferred in the shoot (67%). The XRF, XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDS analysis revealed the presence of AMD chemical species in the substrate and the grass components, hence confirming that the plants are playing a huge role in the removal of contaminants from AMD. The PH REdox EQuilibrium (in C language) (PHREEQC) geochemical model confirm that metals existed as di-and-trivalent complexes in AMD. Lastly, available metals were precipitated as metals hydroxides and oxy-hydrosulfates by the substrate. In light of the obtained results, vertically flowing wetland could be used for the passive treatment of AMD, and it will play a huge role in active and abandoned mines. However, prolonged assessment should be undertaken to understand its performance over a notable period of time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage)
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19 pages, 3459 KiB  
Article
Enriched Co-Treatment of Pharmaceutical and Acidic Metal-Containing Wastewater with Nano Zero-Valent Iron
by Thobeka Pearl Makhathini, Jean Mulopo and Babatunde Femi Bakare
Minerals 2021, 11(2), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11020220 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2729
Abstract
Among traditional hazardous waste sources, pharmaceutical-containing wastewater and acidic mine drainage need treatment to preserve the expected water supply quality. A nano zero-valent iron (nZVI)-enriched treatment of these two streams is evaluated for simultaneous removal of various heavy metal ions, organic pollutants, sulfates, [...] Read more.
Among traditional hazardous waste sources, pharmaceutical-containing wastewater and acidic mine drainage need treatment to preserve the expected water supply quality. A nano zero-valent iron (nZVI)-enriched treatment of these two streams is evaluated for simultaneous removal of various heavy metal ions, organic pollutants, sulfates, the efficiency of the treatment system, and separation of reaction products in the fluidized-bed reactor. The reactor packed with silica sand was inoculated with sludge from an anaerobic digester, then 1–3 g/L of nZVI slurry added to cotreat a hospital feed and acid mine wastewater at 5:2 v/v. The biotreatment process is monitored through an oxidation–reduction potential (Eh) for 90 days. The removal pathway for the nZVI used co-precipitation, sorption, and reduction. The removal load for Zn and Mn was approximately 198 mg Zn/g Fe and 207 mg Mn/g Fe, correspondingly; achieving sulfate (removal efficiency of 94% and organic matter i.e., chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) reduced significantly, but ibuprofen and naproxen achieved 31% and 27% removal, respectively. This enriched cotreatment system exhibited a high reducing condition in the reactor, as confirmed by Eh; hence, the nZVI was dosed only a few times in biotreatment duration, demonstrating a cost-effective system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage)
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17 pages, 4743 KiB  
Article
Interactive Relationship between Cementitious Materials and Acid Mine Drainage: Their Effects on Chromium Cr(VI) Removal
by Ayanda N. Shabalala and Moses Basitere
Minerals 2020, 10(11), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10110932 - 22 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2177
Abstract
Elevated hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) levels in pervious concrete may undermine its successful application in water treatment. Portland cement CEM I 52.5R (CEM I), coal fly ash (FA), natural zeolite and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) were evaluated as adsorbents for removal of Cr(VI) [...] Read more.
Elevated hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) levels in pervious concrete may undermine its successful application in water treatment. Portland cement CEM I 52.5R (CEM I), coal fly ash (FA), natural zeolite and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) were evaluated as adsorbents for removal of Cr(VI) from acid mine drainage (AMD). Adsorption experiments were conducted at dosages of 6, 10, 30 and 60 g of adsorbent in 200 mL of AMD, while the mixing contact time was varied from 15 to 300 min. It was found that the use of CEM1 and FA adsorbents strongly increased the Cr(VI) concentration in AMD. Conversely, zeolite and GGBS removed up to 76% and 100% of Cr(VI) from AMD, respectively, upon their use at dosages of at least 10 g of the adsorbent. Freundlich isotherm was found better fitted with a high correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.998 for zeolite and 0.973 for GGBS) than to the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.965 for zeolite and 0.955 for GGBS). Adsorption and ion exchange seem to be active mechanisms for the Cr(VI) removal. These results suggest that zeolite and GGBS can be considered as partial cement replacement materials for effective reduction or removal of Cr(VI) from the treated water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treatment, Beneficiation, and Valorization of Acid Mine Drainage)
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