Dear Colleagues,

The mining of polymetallic sulphides, and more particularly iron sulphides, generates an acidic leachate with a high concentration of sulphates and dissolved metals called acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD represents a worldwide problem, not only because of the pollution it produces which directly affects the environment, but also because of the amount of indirect problems it generates.

The incorporation of acid drainages from mining operations to river networks is the main factor responsible for the modification of the physical-chemical characteristics of the channels, increasing the acidity of their waters as well as their heavy metal and sulphate contents, until they reach extremely high values. It is known from the scientific literature that AMD produces structurally simple ecosystems dominated by acidophilic and acid-tolerant organisms, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The activity of these extremophile microorganisms in AMD environments considerably increases the rate of degradation of water through these processes.

An important problem for mining companies that exploit polymetallic sulphides is the corrosion suffered by the machinery and tools necessary to cover the inherent needs in the phases of the exploitation project. Water storage is a constant in mining operations, both to meet the needs of mining towns and mineral treatment plants, and to collect water already affected by AMD. Likewise, for industrial use, it is common to dam waters affected by AMD processes that have pH values less than 4. In addition, there are a significant number of urban and rural areas that are settled in abandoned mining areas affected by the same problem. These mechanical and structural elements interact with acidic waters (pH < 4) and dissolved metals in mining leachate (high concentrations of sulphates, metals and extremophile microorganisms), affecting their durability. The dissolution of the constituent phases of the concrete, oxidation of the metallic materials and the precipitation and formation of secondary minerals will be the dominant reactions to determine the alteration and durability of these materials.

Prof. Dr. María Santisteban
Dr. Juan Carlos Fortes Garrido
Guest Editors

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• acid mine drainage
• acidity
• ecological indicators metals
• pollution
• corrosion
• bacterial activity