Treatment of high-manganese mine water with limestone and sodium carbonate.

Abstract

Manganese is one of the most difficult elements to remove from mine waters, due to its high solubility in both acid and neutral conditions; thus it can be found in quite high concentrations, depending on the rock’s mineralogy. Metal carbonate precipitation can be an effective way for its removal, as manganese carbonate has been detected in net alkaline mine waters. However, limestone is effective in removing manganese only if the metal content is low. This research sought to study manganese precipitation from high-manganese (140 mL) content mine waters applying sodium carbonate and limestone mixtures. It was observed that besides the total carbonate concentration, pH plays a key role on manganese carbonate formation. Provided the pH solution is above 8.5, 99.9% manganese removal can be achieved with carbonate ions. Although not required for manganese precipitation, limestone acts as a solid substrate for the nucleation of fine manganese carbonate grains. Infrared spectroscopy showed manganese carbonate precipitation on the limestone surface. Magnesium was also removed from the mine water but magnesium carbonate formation was not observed.