Prediction of minerals producing acid mine drainage using a computer-assisted thermodynamic chemical equilibrium model

Methods such as optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction are sometimes used to identify minerals involved in the production of acid mine drainage (AMD). A simpler method to identify the minerals without losing accuracy would decrease costs. This paper presents an overview of the important oxidation reactions of sulphide minerals and related chemical components produced by these oxidation reactions. A methodology for predicting the minerals producing AMD using MINTEQ is also discussed. This method can be used in conjunction with analytical techniques to characterize AMD for a specific site. While it does not replace analytical tests, it can decrease the number and frequency of these expensive tests. The model has been validated with data from the Wolverine coal mine in northeastern BC, Canada.