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Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?
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Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 7203

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Johannes Phillippus Maree

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), University of South Africa, Florida P.O. Box 392, South Africa
Interests: product recovery; freeze crystallization
Prof. Dr. Elvis Fosso-Kankeu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Metallurgy, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Interests: treatment of mining effluents; recovery of values
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kagiso More

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), University of South Africa, Florida P.O. Box 392, South Africa
Interests: water data science; geology; water resource modelling and hydrology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A significant amount of wastewater originating from a few industrial processes is stored in earth dams, lined ponds, and/or landfill sites. Usually, this wastewater is finally disposed of into specially designed evaporation ponds where most of the water is removed through evaporation and a salt pan is left on the pond surface. What is of great concern about brine waste is that waste is produced in large quantities but the industry lacks viable technologies to process this waste. Industrial wastewater is a major threat to groundwater resources and agricultural farmland. There is more pressure on industry to find a solution to industrial wastewater pollution remediation as it is a threat to human health (Buckley, 2005; Raluy, et al., 2006).

Desalination is a widely used method for treating wastewater produced from industrial activities. The desalination process involves the removal of excess salts from saline water, commonly known as brine (SSI Engineers and Environmental, 2010). In industry, brine is a by-product from desalination processes such as reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodialysis (ED). Highly concentrated solutions with high salt loads (brine) and relatively clean water are produced from these processes. Brine can also be produced as waste by industries such as pulp and paper, mining, and nuclear energy. Currently, waste is treated via distillation or evaporation in large ponds or stored in landfill sites, which have traditionally been the first option for the disposal of solid and liquid wastes.

Sludges generated during neutralization are rich in metals such as Fe2+, Fe3+, Al3+, Mn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+, and must be handled as toxic waste (Maree, et al., 2013). Evaporation is normally used for treatment of highly saline solutions. The cost associated with distillation is high, as 2 200 kJ is needed to evaporate 1 kg of water.  There is a need for solutions at lower cost. Could freeze crystallization be an option, since only 330 kJ of energy is needed to freeze 1 kg of water? 

This Special Issue aims to contribute to the recovery of saleable product from mine water with zero waste that need to be disposed of.

Prof. Dr. Johannes Phillippus Maree
Prof. Dr. Elvis E. Fosso-Kankeu
Dr. Kagiso More
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water quality
  • valuable products
  • brine treatment
  • sludge processing
  • feasibility
  • acid mine drainage

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 29777 KiB  
Article
Monitoring and Prevention Strategies for Iron and Aluminum Pollutants in Acid Mine Drainage (AMD): Evidence from Xiaomixi Stream in Qinling Mountains
by Xiaoya Wang, Min Yang, Huaqing Chen, Zongming Cai, Weishun Fu, Xin Zhang, Fangqiang Sun and Yangquan Li
Minerals 2025, 15(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15010059 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated during the exploitation and utilization of mineral resources poses a severe environmental problem globally within the mining industry. The Xiaomixi Stream in Ziyang County, Shaanxi Province, is a primary tributary of the Han River, which is surrounded by [...] Read more.
Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated during the exploitation and utilization of mineral resources poses a severe environmental problem globally within the mining industry. The Xiaomixi Stream in Ziyang County, Shaanxi Province, is a primary tributary of the Han River, which is surrounded by historically concentrated mining areas for stone coal and vanadium ores. Rainwater erosion of abandoned mine tunnels and waste rock piles has led to the leaching of acidic substances and heavy metals, which then enter the Haoping River and its tributaries through surface runoff. This results in acidic water, posing a significant threat to the water quality of the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route within the Han River basin. According to this study’s investigation, Xiaomixi’s acidic water exhibits yellow and white precipitates upstream and downstream of the river, respectively. These precipitates stem from the oxidation of iron-bearing minerals and aluminum-bearing minerals. The precipitation process is controlled by factors such as the pH and temperature, exhibiting seasonal variations. Taking the Xiaomixi Stream in Ziyang County, Shaanxi Province, as the study area, this paper conducts field investigations, systematic sampling of water bodies and river sediments, testing for iron and aluminum pollutants in water, and micro-area observations using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) on sediments, along with analyzing the iron and aluminum content. The deposition is analyzed using handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and visible–near-infrared spectroscopy data, and a geochemical model is established using PHREEQC software. This paper summarizes the migration and transformation mechanisms of iron and aluminum pollutants in acidic water and proposes appropriate prevention and control measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?)
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14 pages, 6154 KiB  
Article
Recovery of Lithium from Industrial Li-Containing Wastewater Using Fluidized-Bed Homogeneous Granulation Technology
by Van Giang Le, The Anh Luu, Huu Tuan Tran, Ngoc T. Bui, M. Mofijur, Minh Ky Nguyen, Xuan Thanh Bui, M. B. Bahari, Hoang Nhat Phong Vo, Chi Thanh Vu, Guo-Ping Chang Chien and Yao-Hui Huang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060603 - 10 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2227
Abstract
In this study, a novel fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation (FBHo-G) process was developed to recover lithium (Li) from industrial Li-impacted wastewater. Five important operational variables (i.e., temperatures, pH, [P]0/[Li]0 molar ratios, surface loadings, and up-flow velocities (Umf)) were selected [...] Read more.
In this study, a novel fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation (FBHo-G) process was developed to recover lithium (Li) from industrial Li-impacted wastewater. Five important operational variables (i.e., temperatures, pH, [P]0/[Li]0 molar ratios, surface loadings, and up-flow velocities (Umf)) were selected to optimize the Li recovery (TR%) and granulation ratio (GR%) efficiencies of the process. The optimal operational conditions were determined as the following: a temperature of 75 °C, pH of 11.5, [P]0/[Li]0 of 0.5, surface loading of 2.5 kg/m2·h, and Umf of 35.7 m/h). The TR% and GR% at optimal condition could be as much as 90%. The material characterization of the recovery pellet products showed that they were highly crystallized Li3PO4 (purity ~88.2%). The pellets had a round shape and smooth surface with an average size of 0.65 mm, so could easily be stored and transported. The high purity enables them to be further directly reused as raw materials for a wide range of industrial applications (e.g., in the synthesis of cathode materials). Our calculation shows that the FBHo-G process could recover up to 0.1845 kg of lithium per cubic meter of Li-containing wastewater, at a recovery rate of ~90%. A brief technoeconomic analysis shows that FBHG process had economic viability, with an estimate production cost of USD 26/kg Li removed, while the potential gained profit for selling lithium phosphate pellets could be up to USD 48 per the same volume of wastewater and the net profit up to USD 22/m3 Li treated. In all, fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation, a seedless one-step recovery process, opens a promising pathway toward a green and sustainable recycling industry for the recovery and application of the resource-limited lithium element from nonconventional water sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?)
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Review

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24 pages, 1370 KiB  
Review
Adsorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Wastewater Using Iron Oxide Nanomaterials Recovered from Acid Mine Water: A Review
by Tumelo M. Mogashane, Johannes P. Maree and Lebohang Mokoena
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080826 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1430
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic pollutants known for their persistence and potential carcinogenicity. Effective removal techniques are required since their presence in wastewater poses serious threats to human health and the environment. In this review study, iron oxide nanomaterials [...] Read more.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic pollutants known for their persistence and potential carcinogenicity. Effective removal techniques are required since their presence in wastewater poses serious threats to human health and the environment. In this review study, iron oxide nanomaterials (IONs), a by-product of mining operations, recovered from acid mine water are used to investigate the adsorption of PAHs from wastewater. The mechanisms of PAH adsorption onto IONs are investigated, with a focus on the effects of concentration, temperature, and pH on adsorption efficiency. The better performance, affordability, and reusable nature of IONs are demonstrated by comparative studies with alternative adsorbents such as activated carbon. Economic and environmental ramifications highlight the benefits of employing recovered materials, while case studies and real-world applications show how effective IONs are in removing PAHs in the real world. This review concludes by discussing potential future developments in synthesis processes, areas for more research, and emerging trends in nanomaterial-based adsorption. This research intends to contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies by offering a thorough assessment of the present and future potential of employing IONs for PAH removal from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?)
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20 pages, 2700 KiB  
Review
Indirect Freeze Crystallization—An Emerging Technology for Valuable Resource Recovery from Wastewater
by Kagiso S. More, Johannes P. Maree and Mlungisi Mahlangu
Minerals 2024, 14(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14040427 - 20 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2185 | Correction
Abstract
This paper explores the efficiency and potential of indirect freeze crystallization (IFC) as a valuable resource-recovery technology in wastewater treatment, particularly focusing on acid mine water and hazardous material wastewater-treatment plants. Wastewater treatment poses challenges to recovering valuable resources effectively, enforcing the need [...] Read more.
This paper explores the efficiency and potential of indirect freeze crystallization (IFC) as a valuable resource-recovery technology in wastewater treatment, particularly focusing on acid mine water and hazardous material wastewater-treatment plants. Wastewater treatment poses challenges to recovering valuable resources effectively, enforcing the need for sustainable and resource-efficient technologies like freeze crystallization. Through a thorough examination of IFC principles and mechanisms, this paper aims to highlight its applications, advantages, and limitations. The investigation includes a comprehensive literature review and detailed methodology from one of the IFC pilot plants, as well as a critical analysis of the environmental and economic implications of IFC. By addressing scaling challenges in reverse osmosis and proposing an environmentally friendly brine disposal method through IFC, this paper contributes to reducing the environmental footprint associated with wastewater treatment. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of extracting valuable resources from highly saline water and emphasises the potential economic and environmental benefits of resource recovery, particularly focusing on the promising technology of IFC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Recovery of Sulfuric Acid and Rare Earth Elements from Acid Mine Drainage Using Solvent Extraction
Author: Baloyi
Highlights: Solvent Extraction, Sulfuric Acid Recovery, Acid Mine Drainage, TEHA, Environmental Sustainability

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