Treatment method

Suitable for removing

Advantages

Disadvantages

Reference

Aeration

Fe²⁺ and Mn

Low operation cost, releases CO₂ from mine water, increases DO

Not effective for water with low Fe²⁺ content

[19]

High-density sludge process

Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb and

Generation of low volumes of sludge, high water recovery, low lime cost, scaling control, can treat large flows of AMD, sludge recycling

Limited sulfate removal, generation of sludge

[10]

Limestone/lime neutralization

Fe and Al

Low alkali cost, sludge recycling

Limited sulfate removal, generation of sludge

[20]

Membrane filtration

Brackish and saline mine water

Good quality of treated water, high water recovery

Scaling, fouling, needs pretreatment and post-treatment, sludge and brine production and short membrane life

[21]

Biological sulfate removal

Sulfate and Fe

Very effective in removing sulfates

Best for water with pH > 5, effluent metal concentration may exceed permissible limits

[22]