Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

MIGRATION OF COPPER TO NEARBY ADJOINING SURFACE WATER BODIES FROM TAILING IMPOUNDMENT OF AN OPEN PIT COPPER MINE

O.N. Tiwaria, A.K. Shuklaa, Manoj Pradhanb and Tapas Nandyc

Abstract

This paper investigates and describes the phenomenon of acidic drainage rich in copper content from tailing impoundment of the biggest open pit copper mine in India. It is located in copper rich central Indian plateau region of ‘Malanjkhand’, Madhya Pradesh. This is the largest copper mine in the country with ore processing capacity of 2.5 MTPA. As common with sulfide bearing deposits the problem of Acid Mine Drainage persists here too. The acidic discharge is generated from the oxidation of sulfide content in presence of water. It has been leaching copper and other heavy metals (such as Mn, Zn, Fe) from the exposed rock fragments. The leachate then enters nearby surface bodies depending upon the natural topography of the area lying in the vicinity of AMD discharge zone. The effect of presence of hilly terrain which can produce complex migration system is deliberated. The study focuses on the magnitude of copper content and the migration pattern of copper from seepage point in tailings impoundment to the river system located in the vicinity of tailing impoundment via streams or tributaries in the surface water system. This study reveals the status ofcopper contamination in surface waters.