acid mine drainage

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Africa

Bacteria and plants could help clean up toxic waste from gold mines – South African study

        By Alseno Kagiso Mosai, University of Pretoria and Hlanganani Tutu, University of the Witwatersrand     Highly toxic metals are leaking out of nine abandoned mines in Krugersdorp, 32km west of Johannesburg, South Africa. The metals include uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury. This acid mine drainage – when water mixes with heavy metals in mines and then flows out into the environment – poses grave […]

today1 August, 2024

Environment

South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil – study finds food gardens are at risk

    By Lesego Khomo, University of South Africa     For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg’s estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), toxic arsenic, copper, cobalt, nickel, lead and zinc. Acid mine drainage can pollute land and water sources up to 20 kilometres away from […]

today24 May, 2024