Delivering better understanding of metalliferous mine drainage

Drainage from mine sites requires careful management to preserve the quality of downstream ecosystems. MRIWA has joined a consortium of sponsors supporting a 5-year research program on this challenge, delivered through the CRC TiME.

Operated as MRIWA Project M10442, research will monitor water chemistry during interaction with mineralised rock and mine waste under both acidic and neutral conditions.  In important advances over related prior studies, the evolving fluids will be directly studied in mined environments rather than laboratory conditions, and the study will include consideration of the influence of microbial activity.

The results of this research will support better planning and mine design to reduce the risk of adverse environmental impacts from mine drainage, both during and after mining.