D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7
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R
esearchers at the University of British
Columbia announced that they have
identified bacteria linked to acid
produced at mining sites. The research more
than links bacteria to mine acid production,
researchers believe that these organisms
actually contribute to acid-rock drainage.
According to Mining Facts.org, "Acid
rock drainage (ARD) or acid mine drain-
age refers to the acidic water that is created
when sulphide minerals are exposed to air
and water and, through a natural chemi-
cal reaction, produce sulphuric acid. ARD
has the potential to introduce acidity and
dissolved metals into water, which can be
harmful to fish and aquatic life. Preventing
and controlling ARD is a concern at oper-
ating mine sites and after mine closure.
Advances continue to be made in research
and the development of technology to
improve ARD prediction, prevention, and
treatment."
The two-year UBC study isolated three
types of sulphur oxidizing bacteria and
two types of iron-oxidizing microbes that
are active at low temperatures and con-
tribute to the rapid production of acid in
mining waste.
"Mining waste is an environmental
concern in many parts of the world and
currently costs a great deal of time and
money to the companies that deal with it
responsibly," says Deborah Roberts, a pro-
fessor of engineering at UBC's Okanagan
campus. "Now that we have isolated the
type of micro-organisms contributing to
this issue, further research may help us
manage them with antibiotics, like other
bacterial infections."
Roberts' research aims to develop a
method of waste rock treatment that does
not require the waste to be contained in
ponds or to be capped in order to avoid
exposure. It is an interesting concept,
that a mine can be infected with sulphur
or iron oxidizing bacteria giving it a bad
case of ARD. Perhaps further research will
result in the discovery of an antidote, a
sort antibiotic which would kill of the acid
drainage producing bacteria.
Roberts' study was recently published
in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology.
n
MININGWORLD
UBC's Deborah roberts, professor of engineering. photo
courtesy of University of British Columbia
Curing a bad case of
acid rock drainage
by Kathrine Moore
www.resourceworld.com
