Acid Mine Drainage and Rehabilitation in Ilgin Lignite Mines Lakes

Abstract

The processes during the search, production and enrichment of mining operations naturally affects the air, soil,water resources in turn the natural environment and living organisms. In general, the environmental impact ofcoal opencast mining operations is much more significant than that of underground mining and mineralprocessing.After stripping of the material filling the holes in coal opencast production, with the rise of surface water andground water level is composed of large or small ponds. Low pH (acidic characteristic) and high metalconcentrations (Al, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb) of these ponds, containing sulfide minerals and the waste materials,for the sustainability of natural resources is one of the biggest environmental problems.In this study, highest heavy metal contents 1839 ppb Mn and 9777 ppb Fe, the average pH values 6.49-7.81,turbidity (NTU) 0.12-63.6, sulphate content 0.05-2.67 mg SO4/L, chemical oxygen demand 4-136 mg O2/L andelectrical conductivity 285 µS/cm-4.68 mS/cm have been measured during the monitoring study of five differentlignite opencast mine post-production lakes of the TKI GLI Ilgın. Analyses were performed in three-monthperiods. The results were evaluated within the framework of relevant laws and regulations.