Acid Mine Drainage

Acid Mine Drainage
Acid mine drainage is one of mining's most serious threats to water. A mine draining acid can devastate rivers, streams, and aquatic life for hundreds, and under the "right" conditions, thousands of years.
How does it form?

At metal mines, the target ore (like gold, silver, copper, etc) is often rich in sulfide minerals. When the mining process exposes the sulfides to water and air, together they form sulfuric acid. This acid can and often does dissolve other harmful metals and metalloids (like arsenic) in the
surrounding rock. Acid mine drainage can be released anywhere on the mine where sulfides are exposed to air and
water -- including waste rock piles, tailings, openpits, underground tunnels, and leach pads. Acid drainage is often marked by " yellow boy ", an
orange-yellow substance , that occurs when the pH of water drops low enough so that previously dissolved iron precipitates out.
Harm to fish & other aquatic life Acid mine drainage can have severe impacts on fish, animals and plants. Many impacted streams have a pH of 4 or lower -- similar to battery acid.
For example, acid and metals runoff from the Questa molybdenum mine in New Mexico has harmed biological life in eight miles of the Red River.
Perpetual pollution Acid mine drainage is especially harmful because it can occur indefinitely -- long after mining has ended. Hardrock mines across the western United States may require water treatment in perpetuity. For example, government officials have determined that acid drainage at the Golden Sunlight mine will continue for thousands of years. Water treatment can be a significant economic burden if a company files for bankruptcy or refuses to cover water treatment costs.

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