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Formation of Acid Mine Drainage in Sulphide Ore Deposits

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Book cover Water Resources in Slovakia: Part I

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 69))

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the product of the natural oxidation of sulphide minerals. The simultaneous influence of water, oxygen and indigenous microorganisms represents the necessary conditions for AMD formation. The occurrence of AMD is associated mainly with the presence of sulphide minerals in the polymetallic, coal and lignite deposits. AMD contaminates the groundwaters and soils because it contains mainly sulphuric acid, heavy metals and metalloids. During the exploitation, and mostly after the mine closure, the produced AMD pollutes the environment. The continuance of AMD generation is difficult to halt. Self-improvement situation is not possible. It is necessary to monitor the quality of AMD and develop the methods of their treatment. Slovakia belongs to the countries with significant mining tradition, especially with regard to the exploitation of iron, copper, gold and silver. Currently, only one deposit is being exploited, namely, Au-ore deposit in Hodruša. The other deposits are mostly flooded. They present the suitable conditions for creation and intensification of chemical and biological-chemical oxidation of the sulphide minerals, i.e. formation of AMD. In Slovakia, Smolník and Pezinok deposits, as well as the Šobov dump, are typical examples of the old mining loads with production of AMD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mineral Biotechnology, Institute of Geotechnics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia

    A. Luptáková

  2. Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia

    P. Andráš

Authors
  1. A. Luptáková
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  2. P. Andráš
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Correspondence to A. Luptáková .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Abdelazim M. Negm

  2. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Kosice, Slovakia

    Martina Zeleňáková

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Luptáková, A., Andráš, P. (2018). Formation of Acid Mine Drainage in Sulphide Ore Deposits. In: Negm, A., Zeleňáková, M. (eds) Water Resources in Slovakia: Part I. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 69. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2018_313

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