Minewater Management
WYG is a world leader in the management of mine waters. This includes the modelling and prediction of groundwater behavior, quality changes underground and the subsequent treatment of polluted mine waters at the surface. WYG has developed models for predicting the nature of mine water rebound in abandoned workings, such that planning for mine water treatment can be more effective. Since mine water quality may change over time, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the unique hydrogeology of mining systems.
The need for effective and sustainable treatment of mine waters has been identified as a major issue for EU member states in light of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This is particularly the case where there is no legislative framework that ensures former mine owners address these polluting discharges, such as in the UK for mines abandoned prior to 2000. Passive treatment (i.e. without the use of chemicals or energy) has consequently found increasing favour as the preferred method of remediation, because of the associated lower whole-life costs.
WYG has extensive experience in the passive treatment of non-acidic mine waters using settlement lagoons and aerobic wetlands. Although sizing criteria for such systems are relatively simple, this belies the complexity of reactions occurring within the treatment units. The design of such systems therefore necessitates a clear understanding of the chemistry of mine waters, and particularly the behavior of metals in aquatic environments.