Frances Mine

A regional pumping system to control underground water levels is being established to prevent uncontrolled outbreaks of minewater in the East Fife Coalfield. The minewater is very acidic and heavily contaminated with metals. The initial treatment was an active system that utilised Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to control the discharge quality. The geochemical model PHREEQC was used to determine dosage rates for the NaOH. The model was also used to assess the likelihood of any solids forming in the treatment plant's pipework under site conditions. As the PHREEQC model identified that there was little requirement for NaOH dosing during the latter stages of the project, (as the mine water quality improved), the chemical dosing ceased and the mine water was treated passively. To date this mine water treatment is still in the passive phase.