Electrochemical remediation of mine tailings waters: Proof of concept

Ruttan矿场(RMS)位于宾夕法尼亚州温尼伯以北980公里(宾夕法尼亚州汤普森和林恩湖之间的中途)，距离Leaf Rapids镇以东约23公里。该矿场和磨坊运营了大约30年，直到2002年关闭。之前的所有者哈德逊湾矿业和冶炼公司(HBM&S)到2005年完成了所有关闭义务。作为HBM和S关闭计划的一部分，现场酸性矿山废水被直接排放到露天矿。该矿坑在2014年达到了产能。因此，现场修复和水处理方法已成为更高的优先事项。Kontzamanis，Graumann，Smith and MacMillan Inc.(KGS集团)于2011年11月与马尼托巴省矿业分公司签订合同，为废弃的RMS制定全面的补救行动计划(RAP)。RAP的一部分是开发方法来修复RMS的AMD水域。由于RMS存在大量的AMD，因此需要一种经济有效的AMD治疗方法来降低修复现场的成本和时间。在这里，Fayek和KGS建议研究(概念验证)电化学技术来修复AMD，方法是：(1)创建一种可以通过还原-氧化(Redox)反应从溶液中去除溶解金属的制氢电池，以及(2)通过冲击电渗析(DSE)进行去离子，这将从AMD产生两种液体；一种液体将包含金属浓缩物，另一种液体(水)是清洁剂，可以廉价地进行处理(中和)。预计的结果是开发一种将AMD水转化为饮用水的技术。对水进行电化学处理将使KGS受益，因为它将减少与RMS水修复相关的成本。

The Ruttan Mine Site (RMS) is located 980 km north of Winnipeg, MB (midway between Thompson and Lynn Lake, MB), and approximately 23 kilometers east of the Town of Leaf Rapids. The mine and mill operated for approximately 30 years until closure in 2002. The previous owner, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting (HBM&S) completed all of their closure obligations by 2005. As part the HBM&S closure plan, on-site acid mine drainage (AMD) was directed to the open pit. The pit reached capacity in 2014. Accordingly, site remediation and a method to treat the water have become a much higher priority. Kontzamanis, Graumann, Smith and MacMillan Inc. (KGS Group) was contracted by the Manitoba Mines Branch in November 2011 to develop a comprehensive Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the abandoned RMS. Part of the RAP is develop methods to remediate AMD waters at the RMS. Due to the large volume of AMD existing at RMS, a cost effective AMD treatment method is desirable to reduce costs and time to remediate the site. Here Fayek and KGS propose to investigate (proof of concept) electrochemical techniques to remediate AMD by, (1) creating a hydrogen generating cell that can remove dissolved metals from solution using reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions and (2) Deionization by Shock Electrodialysis (DSE), which will create two fluids from the AMD; one fluid which will contain metal concentrates and a second fluid (water) that is a cleaner, and can be inexpensively treated (neutralized). The expected outcome is to develop a technique that converts AMD waters into potable water. Electrochemical treatment of the water will benefit KGS because it will reduce the costs related to water remediation at the RMS.