Characteristics of the Iron Ore Tailing Pond Effluent in India and its Management

Abstract

Nature and behaviour of iron ore tailing effluent is discussed. One iron ore mine in Eastern India is selected for the study. Study sites are described. Physico-chemical characteristics of the effluent are discussed. Methodology adopted for the sampling and analysis of the effluent is described and results are analysed. It is observed that most of the TSS and heavy metal constituents are being removed in the tailing pond, as such provision of tailing pond is a must. But it does not give the full guarantee of environmental compliance due to the discharge of decanted effluent. It is worthwhile to recover the decanted water to recycle it in the plant. The main pollutants in the effluent are TSS and Fe. A scheme is proposed for the

removal of the contaminants. By recycling the raw water intake is reduced by 50 m³/h which causes less surface water pollution.