D'Appolonia has conducted acid mine drainage (AMD) studies throughout Appalachia. These projects typically involve identification of acid producing materials and water sources and design of drainage control and treatment systems. Existing data are evaluated and supplemented with additional field studies to identify the causes and sources of acid drainage. Supplemental studies commonly include:

• Field identification and location survey of mine pools and discharges, seeps and surface water bodies
• Sampling and analysis of source materials
• Geophysical exploration of subsurface conditions
• Borehole permeability testing
• Installation and sampling of ground water monitoring wells
• Assessment of ground water flow and acid migration in seep-prone strata

In addition to monitoring existing mine facilities, D'Appolonia has evaluated proposed mine development projects to forecast potential impacts on surface and ground water and to design acid drainage mitigation measures.

D'Appolonia has designed and executed a broad spectrum of approaches to mine water abatement and treatment including:

• AMD interception and collection
• AMD treatment systems
• Treatment of acid producing materials
• Isolation of acidic water source areas
• Grouting of seep-prone strata
• Disposal of treatment sludge
• Monitoring of mine water chemistry

A profile for a D'Appolonia project involving abatement and treatment of mine drainage is provided in the following:


EXAMPLE PROJECTS

Mine Water Control, Conveyance and Treatment (PDF-658K)

D’Appolonia developed a plan to control and treat surface drainage from six abandoned mines located in the same coal seam. The plan involved pumping of water from one of the abandoned mine shafts and treating the effluent at existing treatment ponds. Construction costs of $2.4 million and more than $200,000 in annual operating costs were saved through implementation of our design.