Evaluation of the Application of Activated Carbon in Acid Drainage Remediation

In mining activities, various effluents are generated because of processes within the mining cycle. Whether it is surface or underground mining, the main effluent with the greatest environmental impact is acid mine drainage. This effluent is produced when rock material with a high sulfur content had contact with water and atmospheric oxygen, and it is also stored superficially in waste dumps. To manage this waste, a system of channels is used to direct it to a specialized treatment plant, which produces treated water that is recirculated in processes requiring this resource. However, the treatment process incurs significant internal costs, which can be very unfavorable in the long term. As an alternative treatment method, the use of organic carbon is proposed. This material is developed from a composition of agricultural residues selected according to the specific metal that needs to be controlled, being incorporated into the acid mine drainage.