Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

Maintenance costs for the passive treatment systems currently installed at the abandoned mines are steadily increasing due to some problems such as low metal removal efficiencies, overflows and accumulation of sludges. Moreover, present passive treatment systems are planned to be installed at many closed mines, and similar problems are likely to be encountered in the future. Thus, a study for the development of new treatment system is highly required. An experimental program was undertaken to improve the efficiency of the passive treatment system. The passive treatment system in the Gapjung coal mine, which consists of a pond, SAPS(successive alkalinity producing systems) and oxic wetland, was selected for this study. The area of the whole treatment systems is about 4,000 m2, and the flow rate of influent is 2,100 ton/day. Loading rate of the metallic constituents, such as Fe, Al and Mn, is about 45.236 g/day. The pH of the mine drainage was measured 5.52. Chemical analysis showed that 98% of Fe was removed by the treatment systems. The removal rates for the Fe constituent were found as 5 g /m2/ d in the pond, 7 g / m2 / d by SAPS, and 1 g / m2 / d in the oxic wetland. In case of Al, removal efficiency was 97%, and Mn was removed up to 93% by the treatment system.