The Brukunga Mine, which is located 40 km east of Adelaide in the Mount Lofty Ranges and 4 km north of Nairne, mined iron sulfide minerals through open pit methods between the years 1955 and 1972. The mine was opened as a source of sulphur for the production H2SO4 to be used in the production of superphosphate fertiliser in 1955. After the closure of the mine in 1972 fresh sulfidic minerals were left exposed in the floor of the quarry, resulting in exposure to air, water and bacteria which oxidised the minerals and broke them down to form acid drainage. Acid metalliferous drainage (AMD), also known as acid mine drainage, is both an environmental and economic issue which impacts metal, coal and diamond operations. AMD is produced when sulfide…show more content… At the time of the development Australia was attempting to populate and develop the country. Returned servicemen and immigrants were put to work clear ing land for agriculture in which regular applications of superphosphate fertiliser was needed in order to sustain cropping in the poor quality soils. The development of the Brukunga mine was encouraged in order to ensure that Australia was self sufficient in supplies of sulphur to sustain the rapid expansion in agriculture that occurred in South Australia following World War II. This would have had positive outcomes for the Brukunga community as their would have been a population growth in the town which would have resulted in improved infrastructure and a boost in local business. The mine would have created many job opportunities as throughout the 17 years the mine produced 5.5 million tonnes of iron sulphide ore at approximately 380,000 tonnes per annum. In general mining towns initially have a rapid growth in population which then improves infrastructure and local business. Every year an estimated 75 billion dollars is created within Australia due to the iron mines. The mines also allow job opportunities in which an estimated 60,500 people are employed with the iron mines alone. The mines benefit and have positive effects on the small communities as they allow growth and put money into small…show more content… The contamination was deadly enough to destroy all wildlife and agriculture in the creek. The water was also unfit for livestock and irrigation for those 50 kilometres. Only recently have there been signs of wildlife returning to the creek. There has also been some cases of Minamata disease, which has been caused by the heavy metals in the creek.
- Technologies utilised in the rehabilitation of the site
The South Australian Government took responsibility for the Brukunga site in 1977. From the start of the Government’s efforts in 1980, they have taken many actions that have resulted in an improved water quality by utilising technology. They first looked at neutralizing the acid once it had formed. Neutralizing the acid in the Brukunga mine was treated with lime. The lime was distributed as sludge into a tank of contaminated water. They input hydrated lime and carbide lime (pH of 12) in order to dilute sulfuric acid, and water that had been contaminated and had a pH of around 2.3. Another alternative is preventing the sulfuric acid from forming. Although not implemented at Brukunga, methods can be put into place to prevent the formation of sulfuric acid.
