A
methodology for assessment and remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) developed
at the Sullivan Mine in the West Coast Region has been applied to the closed
Blackball Mine, Blackball, West Coast Region. AMD from the Blackball Mine has
low pH, high acidity, and elevated levels of iron, aluminium, manganese, nickel,
zinc and arsenic. The AMD flows at a variable rate (36 - 101 L/s) into adjacent
Ford Creek, causing an increase in acidity and trace element concentrations in
the creek. To test the effectiveness of treatment with a simple limestone-based
treatment system, a column leaching experiment was conducted over a nine day
period. The results show effective removal of acidity, reduction in the
concentrations of iron, aluminium, manganese and zinc, and production of
alkalinity. To determine if this treatment method reduces the toxicity of the
AMD to aquatic invertebrates, a 96 hour ecotoxicity experiment was conducted.
The results show a significant decrease in mortality in the treated AMD compared
to untreated. The column experiment, in conjunction with the ecotoxicity work,
suggest that a passive treatment system consisting of a limestone leaching bed
and an open limestone channel may be sufficient to treat the AMD from the
Blackball Mine. Further work, such as large-scale treatment trials, is
recommended.