Main geochemical problems concerning the
environment and mining industry interrelation are connected with the transformation
of natural water chemistry by mining wastes. The investigation of
many mines in Primorye, the southern part of the Russian Far East, showed
that their mining waters have high concentrations of heavy metals and aluminium.
Water acidity is primarily connected with the amount of acid-forming sulphide
minerals in ores and also depends on the neutralising capacity of
rocks. Considerable quantity of metals occur in the waters in dissolved form.
Metal concentrations in mining waters exceeds the natural levels by two
to five orders of magnitude and can't be reduced to the background levels even
after multiple dilution. It is necessary to develop and put into practice new
technologies so that to reduce the geochemical impact upon the
environment.