MINE- PIT WATER TREATMENT FOR WATER SUPPLY IN DROUGHT AFFECTED AREAS

Abstract

Coal mining activities include preparation of surface, excavation, extraction of coal, overburden storage & stabilization, backfilling and plantation. Of these operations complete backfilling of mined out area is seldom achieved. This leaves huge craters or unfilled pits within mine leases. These abandoned mine pits hold mine pit water, rainwater and run-offs from mined area. Mine pit water in coal mining areas can be acidic and presence of a few health related parameters has been reported. This is one of the reasons of their unsuitability as water supply sources. Feasibility of treatment of mine pit water to remove health-related parameters by conventional and package treatment plants cannot be denied. Such need based treatment will enable to utilize these abandoned sources at least during drought –like situations. The paper addresses the feasibility of using the mine pit water for domestic use.