REGARDING the report "Hunter water 'at risk' from mines" (Herald 6/3), acid mine drainage contains high levels of dangerous heavy metals and the acid leaches aluminium from the clays. Erosion, etching and silting occurs.
Most marine life and aquatic vegetation is killed by the acid/iron. Silt fills the pools and reduces the carrying capacity of the creeks and rivers. Potentially deadly and costly flooding of property follows.
Kurri Kurri landcare has been treating acid from mines for the past 15 years. Former miners and residents are trying to ameliorate past damage at Glen Ayr, Greta and Neath. Hydrated lime dosing can remove most of the contaminants.
Our costing shows acid mine drainage can be treated in the mine, leaving the contaminants there and pumping only clean water to the surface, for about 10 cents per tonne of coal mined.
Col Maybury
Kurri Kurri
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