REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE USING PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIERS

Rastanina N. К., Galanina I. A., Perfiliev A. V.

The paper examines state-of-the-art methods for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) from mining operations, with a particular focus on permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional technologies. The advantages of PRBs over traditional methods are analyzed, including their economic feasibility and the potential for utilizing industrial waste as sorbent materials. The study confirms that reactive barriers made from readily available and recycled materials not only provide an effective solution for wastewater treatment but also support the reutilization of industrial waste – thus aligning with the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy.

Keywords:acid mine drainage, reactive barriers, heavy metals, sorption, mining industry, environmental safety.