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| AMD Remediation |
| Updated 9/28/2009 |
What is AMD?
AMD stands for "Acid Mine Drainage. It is the scourge and legacy of un-controlled mining for minerals in
almost every state in the USA. Typical of our approach to recovery of Precious metals from riparian
sources, we suggest that a combined approach of selective precipitation of precious metals from Acid
Mine Drainage can be successfully accomplished with our technology, as well as removal of
less-desired contaminant metallics, sediments and debris, severely reducing undesirable contamination
to existing watersheds.
This process begins with "In-Line"precipitation of select metals directly from the water load, then
passed onwards to bulk precipitation in typical flocculation ponds, to drop out the less-desired metals
by wholesale precipitation by alkaline agents suitable for the area and target recovery goals. The AMD
is pipe-guided to precipitation tankage, the titrated precipitating agent added, then overflows to a
second tankage to meet a flocculate addition, then fed to a filtering unit, to recover the precipitated
metals.
Undesirable metals precipitate out in phase 2, as these waters pass onwards to the settling pond, where
a more broad-spectrum precipitant is added. This is usually a cheaper PH balancer. The filtration units
are of commercial grade, can be gravity operated if applicable, then waste waters are passed to a
settling pond area, a PH balancer is added in the circuit, such as water-driven limestone rock tumbler,
which adds a Base PH correction, raising PH levels to acceptable levels before entry into the settlement
area, or passed back into the water flow to downstream, as desired. Ph balancing additives depend on
local budgets, ecological compatibility, water usage, recovery equipment and other factors.
This last phase causes remaining metals to become hydroxides and drop out of the aqueous stream.
Final polishing of the water can be by our CARBON FIBRE as a blanket "SPONGE" to absorb remaining,
escaping metallics, also recyclable. As an option, our CARBON FIBRE can also be used in Phase 2,
in-line in piping or "leach-tankage", to recover a wider range of metals prior to PH adjustment, and
before settlement or discharge. These CARBON FIBRE filters can be stripped of metallics on site, or
sent onwards to the refinery for processing, if the profit potential warrants it.
The emphasis here is to act within, and with local agency goals in a cooperative fashion, obviating any
special permitting requirements, assisting in the improvement of public water quality for the benefit of
people and wildlife, alike.
AMD stands for "Acid Mine Drainage. It is the scourge and legacy of un-controlled mining for minerals in
almost every state in the USA. Typical of our approach to recovery of Precious metals from riparian
sources, we suggest that a combined approach of selective precipitation of precious metals from Acid
Mine Drainage can be successfully accomplished with our technology, as well as removal of
less-desired contaminant metallics, sediments and debris, severely reducing undesirable contamination
to existing watersheds.
This process begins with "In-Line"precipitation of select metals directly from the water load, then
passed onwards to bulk precipitation in typical flocculation ponds, to drop out the less-desired metals
by wholesale precipitation by alkaline agents suitable for the area and target recovery goals. The AMD
is pipe-guided to precipitation tankage, the titrated precipitating agent added, then overflows to a
second tankage to meet a flocculate addition, then fed to a filtering unit, to recover the precipitated
metals.
Undesirable metals precipitate out in phase 2, as these waters pass onwards to the settling pond, where
a more broad-spectrum precipitant is added. This is usually a cheaper PH balancer. The filtration units
are of commercial grade, can be gravity operated if applicable, then waste waters are passed to a
settling pond area, a PH balancer is added in the circuit, such as water-driven limestone rock tumbler,
which adds a Base PH correction, raising PH levels to acceptable levels before entry into the settlement
area, or passed back into the water flow to downstream, as desired. Ph balancing additives depend on
local budgets, ecological compatibility, water usage, recovery equipment and other factors.
This last phase causes remaining metals to become hydroxides and drop out of the aqueous stream.
Final polishing of the water can be by our CARBON FIBRE as a blanket "SPONGE" to absorb remaining,
escaping metallics, also recyclable. As an option, our CARBON FIBRE can also be used in Phase 2,
in-line in piping or "leach-tankage", to recover a wider range of metals prior to PH adjustment, and
before settlement or discharge. These CARBON FIBRE filters can be stripped of metallics on site, or
sent onwards to the refinery for processing, if the profit potential warrants it.
The emphasis here is to act within, and with local agency goals in a cooperative fashion, obviating any
special permitting requirements, assisting in the improvement of public water quality for the benefit of
people and wildlife, alike.
We invite those in remediation and experimental metal recovery technologies to participate in ongoing
studies. Those involved with "Trout Unlimited" or similar remediation efforts to re-establish environments
should pass along this information to directors and concerned parties.
Simultaneously, this technology works well with soil and sediment recovery programs emanating from
present or former mining sites.
studies. Those involved with "Trout Unlimited" or similar remediation efforts to re-establish environments
should pass along this information to directors and concerned parties.
Simultaneously, this technology works well with soil and sediment recovery programs emanating from
present or former mining sites.