Mine Wastewater Problems in Europe
DAVID R. MANEVAL, Director
Research and Development
Department of Mines and Mineral Industries
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
INTRODUCTION
The mining industry in Europe faces a wide array of water problems. The
industry appears to be cognizant of its problems and has begun definite steps to take
technically sound and economically feasible pollution abatement action. The
main treatment, in general, consists of removing solid material from effluent
water by the sedimentation process. The above technique is justified for 1) the
recovery of solid combustible material for sale, 2) recovery of water for reuse in
the washery and/or in >he mines and 3) to accomplish the degree of clarification
required by the appropriate regulatory agency.
In England, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and France, the solution to the whole problem ofriver pollution on a large scale has fallen to an increasingly greater degree to river basin authorities or river boards. The coal industry is taking necessary steps to minimize the charges levied on it by these water
boards, by abating pollution to a large extent in company operated facilities. In
certain areas practicality and economics dictate that a number of effluent streams
be collected and joined together for common treatment in centrally located, common, treatment facilities. In general, salinity appears to be a more pressing
problem to the mining industry than does the specter of acid mine drainage such as
that facing much oi the solid fossil fuel industry in the United States. The suspended matter problem appears to be well in hand and definite knowledge is available for all required abatement activities. Enforcement and implementation of
solids removal varies from country to country depending on the situation in the
area.
UNITED KINGDOM
Effluent standards are generally used throughout the United Kingdom. These
are based on Royal Commission Standards issued in 1890. It was decided that an
eight to one dilution ratio between effluents and receiving streams was typical for
England. This report resulted in an effluent standard of a maximum of 30 mg/1
SS and 20 mg/1 BOD.
Legislation passed during the last 10 years has greatly strengthened the power
of the River Boards in the field of pollution control. The 1951 Rivers Prevention of
Pollution Act had exempted from control all pre-1951 discharges which had not
materially changed in quantity or quality. A Tidal Waters Act of 1960 extended
control of water pollution to tidal rivers and estuaries. The Public Health Act of
1961 requires applications for consent (permits) for the contuation ofpre-1961 discharges. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has general supervisory
powers over the policies and standards set by the River Boards. Appeals from the
River Boards are heard by the Minister. The exemptionfor pre-1963 mine drainage
discharges which exists in present law can be lifted upon request by the Minister
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