Geological and hydrgeological characteristics of acid mine drainage from an abandoned coal mine: A case study of Shandi coal mine in Niangziguan spring catchment, Shanxi

Abstract

As Shanxi Province is rich in coal resources, the output of raw coal approximately accounts for one quarter of China's production. It is one of the most important energy and heavy chemical bases and plays a significant role in the sustainable development of the national economy and energy security. With the continuing exploitation of coal resources in Shanxi, water environmental problems such as the destruction of water resources and deterioration of water quality have become increasingly prominent. Especially with the closure of many depleted coal mines, water pollution caused by acid mine drainage (AMD) has become more and more serious, which aggravated the shortage of water resources and threatens the safety of local drinking water supply. Since 2008, more than 100 coal mines have been abandoned in the Yangquan coalfield of Shanxi, and the AMD has polluted the surface water and groundwater in the Niangziguan spring catchment.