Brukunga Mine Site Analysis

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The Brukunga Mine site lies above Brukunga Township in South Australia, located 4km north of Nairre and 40km east of Adelaide, Mount Lofty Ranges. The operation of iron sulfide (pyrite and pyrrhotite) quarrying in Brukunga mine occurred between 1955 and 1972 (PIRSA, 2005). The manufacture of sulfuric acid in fertiliser industry caused the production of superphosphate fertilisers. The sponsorship from the state and federal government for the development of the mine provided employment and self-authority in local agriculture. During the operation, 5.5Mt of iron sulfide, 8Mt waste rocks and 3.5 tailings were produced. However, the atmosphere of Brukunga mine site caused oxidation of iron sulfide, resulting in acid metalliferous drainage. This …show more content…
The sulfuric acid in the mine site have continued to remain for over 100 years because of the presence of iron sulfide mineral (PIRSA, 2005). Technologies used to enhance the performance of water quality and to prevent AMD in Brukunga mines is the use of engineered sulfate-reducing bacterial systems and is developed by BioteQ and THIOPAQ. This technology contain a high rate of bioreactor to reduce the sulfate and transform into sulfide or sulfur. The metalloids which form insoluble sulfides (arsenic, cadium etc.) are removed as well as the produce water from sulfate in accordance to this operation. Since 1990, sulfate-reducing bacteria has been remediating to prevent sulfate in high levels of sulfate concentration in water ways and streams (Bennett, …show more content…
The oxidation of iron sulfide caused the iron to disintegrate forming sulfuric acid. AMD has greatly transformed the environment of the site because public health and livestock ecosystems are unable to growth and survive, developing further issues in the geological system of the mine site. Earth systems and other organisation are integrating in the management, planning of AMD with two known technologies, sulfate-reducing bacterial systems and lime-dosing treatment plants that remediate the effects of AMD and retrieves back to productive state. Surprisingly, the iron sulfur minerals will continue to remain in the local waterways and this is the legacy of

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