Articles

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Mining industry is one of major economic sources in Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The mining activities contaminate environments seriously, and it has threatened human beings and  ecosystems. Especially, the copper-cobalt mine (Cu-Co- U-Zn- Pb -Cd- Ge) in Katanga and Tin ores group(tin- Wolframite - Colombo-tantalite - Beryl -Monazite) in the eastern part as well as other non-enumerated deposits exploited or abandoned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo produce tailings resulting from mining and the concentration discharges containing metallic sulfide minerals exhibit high chemical instability. Exposed to the open air and to the water, they undergo various reactions generate sulfuric acid, allowing the dissolution of the metal elements. This behavior known as Acid mine drainage (AMD) is cause for pollution or contamination of surface water by contamination responsible to acid waters and metal ions such as Fe, Cu, As, etc., by increasing the toxic

source of acid mine drainage in DRCONGO

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DR Congo is fortunate to have many minerals, often in large quantities and of strategic importance for itself and for other nations. The country has a lot of developed mining industries. The overall goal of environmental impact management in DR CONGO is to design and implement mitigation measures that minimize the residual impact of mining. But the industrial active metalliferous mine and artisanal  mining continues to degrade nature by acidic waters which continues to be released by mining works. In this case, the pyrite content is the main cause of water pollution. When exposed to air, pyrite oxidizes and forms sulfuric acid once in contact with water. The acid produced dissolves the salts and mobilizes the heavy metals from the mines. Dark, reddish-brown water and pH values ​​as low as 2.5 persist at the site. All the mines end up being maintained but if the water is not controlled, it could infiltrate and reintegrate the ecological system. Mining Hazard in DRC/Patrick Ma
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when the pH of AMD is raised past 4, the iron in the water precipitates  out as ferric hydroxide yellow layer on stream and water and some roofs in Gold mine specifically Kilo Moto/ /DRCONGO/Bama Patrick 2017 
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Example of open put copper mine in Katanga/ /DRCONGO/Bama Patrick 2017