Mining and MineralsAcid Mine Drainage and Mine Water Quality
Acid drainage begins while a mine is producing and continues long after it closes, which makes it the environmental liability most likely to outlive the company that created it. This course covers predicting and managing it. Delegates work through the geochemistry of sulphide oxidation, static and kinetic testing to predict acid generating potential, and source control through waste characterisation and selective placement. Treatment options are compared honestly, from lime neutralisation through passive wetland systems to membrane processes, with their real cost and lifespan. Monitoring networks and reporting follow. The course closes on closure liability, financial provision and the long term custodianship question.
Course objectives
- Explain the geochemistry of sulphide oxidation and acid generation
- Apply static and kinetic testing to predict acid generating potential
- Control the source through waste characterisation and selective placement
- Compare active and passive treatment options on cost and lifespan
- Design a monitoring network and report against it
- Quantify closure liability and financial provision
- Address long term custodianship after the operation ends
Who should attend
- Environmental managers and officers on mines
- Geochemists and hydrogeologists
- Mine planning and waste management staff
- Closure and rehabilitation practitioners
- Regulators and consultants advising on mine water
Course outline
- 01A liability that outlives the operation
- 02Geochemistry of sulphide oxidation
- 03Static and kinetic prediction testing
- 04Waste characterisation and selective placement
- 05Active treatment and lime neutralisation
- 06Passive systems and their real performance
- 07Monitoring networks and reporting
- 08Closure liability, provision and custodianship
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 20 November 2026 | Maseru, Lesotho | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 27 November 2026 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 7 to 9 December 2026 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 14 to 16 December 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 20 to 22 January 2027 | Harare, Zimbabwe | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 27 January 2027 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |