SUMMARY OF DATA PRESENTED IN THE BACKGROUND
DOCUMENT FOR EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS GUIDELINES AND
STANDARDS - MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING POINT
SOURCE CATEGORY
October 1993
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste
Mining Waste Section
Washington D.C. 20460
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DISCLAIMER
The mention of company or product names is not to be considered an endorsement by
the US. Government or by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and not
necessarily those of the U.S. EPA.
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SUMMARY OF DATA PRESENTED IN THE DOCUMENT FOR EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS -
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY
In the late 1970s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a study of the mineral mining
and processing industry. The study encompassed the following non-metallic "minerals":
Dimension Stone
Construction Sand & Gravel
Gypsum
Asbestos and Wollastonite
Mica and Seriate
Flourspar
Borax
Trona Ore
Rock Salt
Sulfur
Lithium Minerals
Fire Clay
Kaolin and Ball Clay
Kyanite
Shale and other Clay Minerals
Garnet
Graphite
Crushed Stone
Industrial Sand
Asphaltic Materials
Lightweight Aggregates
Barite
Salines from Brine Lakes
Potash
Sodium Sulfate
Phosphate Rock
Mineral Pigments
Bentonite
Fullers Earth
Feldspar
Magnesite
Talc, Soapstone and Pyrophyllite
Diatomite Mining
Miscellaneous Minerals
The results of the study are presented in the "Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines
and Standards - Mineral Mining and Processing Industry Point Source Category," (EPA 440/1-79/05%, July
1979). The data are grouped by mineral and subgrouped primarily by processing technology. However,
some mineral categories are subgrouped by types of materials (e.g. asbestos and lightweight aggregates) and
phosphate is subgrouped by Region (Eastern and Western).
The EPA's Office of Solid Waste has recompiled the data contained in the effluent guideline for possible use
in its effort to develop a rational mining program. Data contained in this report is taken from the effluent
guideline document and does not represent new research. Further, it should be noted that the data
represented has not been reviewed for quality control/quality assurance. The source documents detailing
sampling methodolgies and protocols were not consulted for this review.
The attached Table 1 summarizes the information published in the Development Document. For each
mineral and sector, Table 1 provides:
Category, SIC Code, and Subcategories
Number of known active plants in 1979
Number of facilities with data available (including facilities sampled during this study and facilities
where existing data were used)
Number of facilities sampled under this study
Parameters or pollutants analyzed for in wastewaters
Comments on treatment method(s) employed1
Development Document page numbers for accessing more detailed data
1 The most common form of wastewater treatment used in this category is settling ponds. Individual ponds,
or several ponds used in series, provide a cost effective method of reducing TSS in receiving streams. This
treatment also allows a number of facilities to retain process wastewater for subsequent reuse in ore
benefiriation/processing. Other common treatments which may be used singly or in combination include:
Decollation, lime treatment, spiral screening and dewatering screws to remove solids and/or adjust pH.
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Generally, the parameter most important in the mineral industry is suspended or dissolved solids. Other
parameters measured in wastewaters include:
PH
hardness
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
oil and grease
fluoride
chloride
sulfate
cadmium
barium
lead
aluminum
asbestos
turbidity
alkalinity/acidity
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
phenols
nitrate
sodium
sulfide
chromium
iron
manganese
zinc
radium
Sampling methodologies and protocols for the data contained in Table 1 were not documented in the
Development Document. Because proposed effluent guidelines have frequently been subject to litigation,
data must be completely defensible. Therefore, it is assumed that the sampling and analysis data described
here were collected according to standard Agency protocols, (including QA).
In addition, several aspects of the sampling data presentation should also be noted:
• In some cases, information on the number of facilities sampled and the use of existing data is not
provided (i.e.f crushed stone mine dewatering - where TSS data is presented, while numbers of
facilities with data available and facilities sampled are not);
• In some cases, the availability of sampling data was indicated, however, no data were included in
the Development Document (i.e., for crushed stone shell dredging, four facilities are listed as
having data available, however no results are presented);
• Where the number of facilities sampled is zero, it is assumed that only existing data were used;
and
• Where no discharge occurs and data is presented, it is assumed that sampling was performed
internally.
Table 2 provides a list of the applicable standards for many of the contaminants detected in ore processing
wastewater. This Table was included to assist the reader in assessing the levels of specific pollutants
detected in the wastewaters.
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TA
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Dimension Stone (1441)
Crushed Stone (1422, 1423,
1424)
Dry Process
Wet Process
No. of
Facilities
. (1979)
194
4,800
N/A
N/A
Facilities
With Data
Available
20
N/A
2
130
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
5
N/A
No discharge
9
Data
Summary
TSS (1.0 - 1658 mg/l)
pH (7.8 s.u.)
BOD (<1 mg/l)
No data presented
TSS (2.0 - 42 mg/l)
Comments
on
Treatment
Level of treatment contingent upon
State requirements
Dewatering screws and flocculating
Reference
Page
254
256,259
Flotation
N/A
Shell Dredging
Mine Dewatering
N/A
N/A
4
N/A
0
N/A
pH (7.5 - 8.4 s.u.)
Turbidity (16 - 18 NTU)
TSS (4.0 - 10 mg/l)
BOD (< 1.0 -1.0 mg/l)
COD (< 1.0 -4.0 mg/l)
Sulfate (<2.0 - 19 mg/l)
Turbidity (2 - 6 NTU)
Chloride (4.1 - 20 mg/l)
Total Solids (128 - 154
No data presented
TSS(
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TABLE 1
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Construction Sand and
Gravel (1442)
Dry Process
Wet Process
Dredging (on-land)
Dredging (on-board)
Industrial Sand (1446)
Dry Process
Wet Process
Flotation
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
N/A
750
4,250
50
100
N/A
20
130
17
Facilities
With Data
Available
N/A
50
100
15
25
N/A
5
10
10
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
N/A
No discharge
15
0
0
N/A
No discharge
2
2
Data
Summary
No data presented
TSS (2.0 - 154 mg/1)
TSS (50 - 300 mg/1)
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
pH (5.0 - 7.8 s.u.)
•••••fc j^ ****** /i\
Comments Reference
on Page
Treatment
Predominant treatment method 261-3
uses settling ponds and mechanical
dewatering devices
264
265
No point discharge from any of the 266
TDS (192 mg/1)
TSS (4 - 47 mg/1)
Sulfate (38 - 330 mg/1)
Oil and grease (<1.0
mg/0
Fe (0.06 mg/l)
Nitrate (0 - 9 mg/1)
Chloride (57 - 76 mg/1)
Fluoride (1.8 - 6.6 mg/1)
Phenols (Not detected)
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TA
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
Facilities
With Data
Available
Data
No. of Summary
Facilities
Sampled
Comments Reference
on Page
Treatment
Industrial Sand (Cont'd)
Acid Leaching
Flotation (HF) 1
Gypsum (1492) N/A
Dry, Wet Scrubbing and 80
HMS
Asphaltic Materials N/A
Diatomite (Oil 1
Impregnated) (1499)
Gilsonite (1499) 1
Asbestos (1499) N/A
Dry Process 4
1
N/A
64
N/A
1
1
N/A
4
No discharge
N/A
3
N/A
0
1
N/A
1
pH (6.4 - 7.2 s.u.)
TSS (2.02 lb/ton)
Fe (0.13 lb/ton)
No data presented
TSS (4 - 130 mg/1)
pH (5 - 8.1 s.u.)
(All water recycled)
Processing discontinued
TSS (2.0 mg/1)
Fe (0.15 mg/1)
PH (8.4 - 8.7 s.u.)
Asbestos (1.0 - 1.8 x 106
fibers/liter)
Settling, pH adjustment and
chemical flocculating agents added
to wastewater prior to discharge
from acid leach operations
Mine pumpout and non-contact
cooling water discharged without
treatment
266
Quarry pumpout treated with
sulfuric acid at one facility.
Diversion ditches, berms and check
dams used to direct and hold
stormwater runoff.
267
268
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TABLE 1
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Asbestos (Cont'd)
Wet Process
Wollastonite
Lightweight Aggregates
(1499)
Perlite
Pumice
Vermiculite
Mica and Sericite (1499)
Dry Process
Wet Process
Wet Beneficiation
Barite (1472)
Dry Process
No. of
Facilities
. (1OT9)
1
1
N/A
13
7
2
N/A
7
3
7
N/A
9
Facilities
With Data
Available
1
1
N/A
4
7
2
N/A
7
3
7
N/A
8
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
No discharge
Percolation
Pond tested
No discharge
N/A
No discharge
No discharge
No discharge
N/A
No discharge
No discharge
No discharge
N/A
No discharge
Data
Summary
TSS (1,160 mg/l)
pH (7.8 s.u.)
Mg (48 mg/l)
Na (34S mg/l)
Chloride (104 mg/l)
Ni (0.1 mg/l)
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
pH (6.5 - 9 s.u.)
TSS (< 15 -400 mg/l)
No data presented
Comments Reference
on Page
Treatment
All facilities settle wastewater, no 269
discharge to surface water reported
270
270
272
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TA
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Barite (Cont'd)
Wei Process
No. of
Facilities
. (1979)
14
Facilities
With Data
Available
14
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
No discharge
Data
Summary
pH (8.0 s.u.)
Comments
on
Treatment
Reference
Page
273
Flotation
Mine Dewatering
Flourspar (1473 & 3295)
HMS
N/A
N/A
6
N/A
N/A
6
N/A
N/A
No discharge
TSS (32 mg/1)
Ba (0.5 mg/1)
Fe (0.09 mg/1)
Pb (0.10 mg/1)
TSS (3 - 6 mg/1)
TDS (1000 - 1815 mg/1)
Ammonia (5 - 35 mg/1)
Cn (0.100 - 0.120 mg/1)
Fe (0.030 - 0.070 mg/1)
Pb (0.040 - 0.090 mg/1)
Mn (0.004 - 0.008 mg/1)
Ni (0.030 - 0.070 mg/1)
Zn (0.030 - 0.090 mg/1)
pH, Acidity, Hardness,
TDS, TSS, SO«, Fe, Al,
Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn (No levels
reported)
Fluoride (3.0 mg/1)
TSS (10.0 mg/I)
Pb (0.015 mg/1)
pH (7.8 s.u.)
Zn (0.09 mg/1)
Water is settled in a series of ponds
with most being recycled. Lime is
used for pH adjustment. Lime and
ferric chloride are used for settling
prior to discharge at one
facility.
Lime neutralization for pH
adjustment, gravity settling prior to
discharge
274
276
276
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TABLE 1
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
Facilities
With Data
Available
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
Data
Summary
Comments
on
Treatment
Reference
Page
Flourspar (Cont'd)
Flotation
Drying and Pelletizing
2 pH (7.2 - 8.2 s.u.)
TSS (318 - 1800 mg/1)
fluoride (S.I - 9.8 mg/1)
alkalinity (340 - 359 mg/1)
hardness (222 • 235 mg/1)
TDS (1056 - 1702 mg/I)
F (0.742 - 10 mg/1)
Fe (2.9 - 5.0 mg/1)
Cd (0.02 - 0.13 mg/1)
Cr (0.05 - 0.11 mg/1)
Cu (0.35 - 2.39 mg/1)
Pb (0.20 - 0.86 mg/1)
Mn (0.17 - 0.43 mg/1)
Zn (<0.01 - 1.13 mg/1)
No discharge No data presented
Settling, clarification ponds and
flocculants used prior to discharge.
Recycling efforts attempted at one
facility but abandoned due to
chemical buildup in various
flotation circuits.
277
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T/
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
Facilities
With Data
Available
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
Data
Summary
Comments
on
Treatment
Reference
Page
Flourspar (Cont'd)
Mine Dewatering
N/A
N/A
Salines (Brine Lakes)
(1474)
Borax (1474)
Potash (1474)
Trona Ore (1474)
Sodium Sulfate (1474)
Rock Salt (1476)
1
5
4
6
21
1
5
4
2
15
N/A pH (7.2 - 8.1 s.u.)
alkalinity (197 - 864 mg/l)
hardness (221 - 1600
mg/l)
Cl (17 - 185 mg/l)
TSS (2 - 135 mg/l)
TDS (364 - 3417 mg/l)
SO4 (32 - 575 mg/l)
F (1.3 - 3.2 mg/l)
Fe (0.05 - 1.33 mg/l)
Pb (<0.02 - 0.09 mg/l)
Mn (0.01 - 0.62 mg/l)
Zn (<0.01 - 0.76 mg/l)
No discharge No data presented
No discharge
No discharge
Usually no
discharge
No discharge
3
No data presented
No data presented
TSS (9,000 mg/l)
No data presented
TSS (72 - 4750 mg/l)
TDS (4,660 - 323,000
mg/l)
pH (7.5 - 9.0 s.u.)
At 3 mines, effluent is discharged
with no treatment. At one facility
water passes through a small
settling pond prior to discharge.
279
Generally, no treatment of
miscellaneous saline wastewater is
performed
280
280
280
281
281
281
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TABLE 1
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Phosphate Rock (1475)
Eastern
Western
Sulfur (1477)
Anhydrite
On-shore
Off-shore
Mineral Pigments (1479)
Lithium Minerals (1479)
Bentonite (1452)
Fire Clay (1453)
Mine Pumpout
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
N/A
22
6
N/A
2
9
2
11
2
37
81
N/A
Facilities
With Data
Available
N/A
20
6
N/A
2
9
1
3
2
2
9
N/A
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
N/A
3
2
N/A
No discharge
5
No discharge
No discharge
2
No discharge
No discharge
N/A
Data
Summary
TSS (7 - 1961 mg/1)
pH (6.2 - 9.1 s.u.)
Radium 226 (0.26 - 1.1
pCi/liter)
No data presented
TSS (5 - 95 mg/1)
sulfide (0.4 - 51 mg/1)
No data presented
No data presented
pH (6.1 - 7.9 s.u.)
TSS (3 - 256 mg/1)
No data presented
No data presented
pH (3.0 - 9.2 s.u.)
TSS (1 - 392 mg/1)
Fe (20 - 1900 mg/1)
Comments Reference
on Page
Treatment
Most wastewater recycled, and 283
solids used in reclamation efforts
Solids retained in settling ponds - 285
no treatment for radium is noted
286
290
292
294
294
295
295
Discharged after settling with little
or no other treatment
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TA
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Fullers Earth
Attapulgite (1454)
Montmortllonite (1454)
Kaolin and BaU Clay (1455)
Dry Process
Wet Process
Mine Dewatering
Feldspar (1459)
Wet (Flotation)
Dry Process
Kyanite (1459)
Magnesite (1459)
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
N/A
10
4
37
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5
2
3
1
Facilities
With Data
Available
N/A
5
3
N/A
4
6
N/A
N/A
5
2
2
1
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
N/A
2
3
N/A
No discharge
0
N/A
N/A
5
No discharge
No discharge
No discharge
Data
Summary
pH (6.8 - 7.5 s.u.)
TSS (17 - 19 mg/l)
pH (3.8 - 9 s.u.)
TSS (2.0 • 436 mg/l)
No data presented
Turbidity (24.5 - 58.2
NTU long term average)
TSS (35 - 50 mg/l)
TSS (7.4 - 95.2 mg/l)
Turbidity (44.6 - 232
NTU)
TSS (21 - 349 mg/l)
Fluoride (1.3 - 34 mg/l)
pH (6.5 -8.0 s.u.)
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
Comments
on
Treatment
Most facilities use settling ponds,
one discharges with no treatment
Water neutralized where recycling;
some settling employed where
discharged
Lime used to adjust pH and
remove excess zinc
Pumpout is usually discharged
without treatment
Clarification and use of polymers
employed to aid flocculation: lime
and alum are used at 2 facilities
Reference
Page
296
297
298
299
301
302
303
303
11
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TABLE 1
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Shale & Common Clay
(1459)
Talc Minerals (1496)
Dry Process
Washing
HMS1, Flotation
Garnet (1499)
Diatomite (1499)
Graphite (1499)
No. of
Faculties
(1979)
129
N/A
27
2
4
3
9
1
Facilities
With Data
Available
20
N/A
20
2
4
2
3
1
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
No discharge
N/A
No discharge
No discharge
4
0
No discharge
0
Data
Summary
No data presented
No data presented
No data presented
TSS (8 - 100 mg/l)
pH (5.6 - 8.5 s.u.)
pH (7.0 s.u.)
TSS (25 mg/l)
No data presented
Total solids (750 mg/l)
Comments
on
Treatment
Settling, effluent stream mixing and
lime additions used prior to
discharge
Caustic added to adjust pH at one
facility
Overflow from ponds is discharged.
Reference
Page
303
304
305
306
307
307
308
TSS (10 mg/l)
Volatile solids (1 mg/l)
Mn (0.1 mg/l)
Fe (0.1 mg/l)
BOD (9 mg/l)
COD (20 rag/1)
pH (73 - 8.5 s.u.)
Lime is used to neutralize acidity
and precipitate Fe.
1 HMS = Heavy Media Separation
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TA
MINERAL MINING AND PROCESSING
FACILITIES AND EFFLUENT PARAMETERS MEASURED
(continued)
Number of Facilities
Category (SIC)/
Process Subcategory
Miscellaneous Materials
Jade (1499)
Novaculite (1499)
No. of
Facilities
(1979)
N/A
10
1
Facilities
With Data
Available
N/A
1
1
No. of
Facilities
Sampled
N/A
No discharge
No discharge
Data
Summary
No data presented
No data presented
Comments Reference
on Page
Treatment
308
308
Source: "Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards - Mineral Mining and Processing Industry - Point Source Category," EPA
440/1 76/0596, July 1979.
13
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TABLE 2
APPLICABLE STANDARDS FOR CONTAMINANTS DETECTED IN
ORE PROCESSING EFFLUENT
Constituent of Concern
pH
Flouride
Chloride
Sulfate
Cadmium
Barium
Lead
Aluminum (pH 6.5 - 9.0 s.u.)
Asbestos
Turbidity
Nitrate
Sulfide
Chromium
Iron
Manganese
Zinc
Radium
Maximum Allowable Level (in
mg/1 except where noted)
6.5 - 8.5 s.u.
4
250
250
0.010
1.0
0.05
0.05
7MFL2
1NTU
10
2 ug/1 (criterion continuous
concentration)
0.05
03
0.05
5
5 PCi/l
Regulation
NSDWR
NPDWR
NSDWR
NSDWR
NPDWR
NPDWR
NPDWR
NSDWR
NPDWR
NPDWR
NPDWR
NSDWR
NPDWR
NSDWR
NSDWR
NSDWR
NPDWR
NPDWR = National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
NSDWR = National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations
MFL = Million Fibers per Liter
MTU - National Turbidity Units
14
-------
(1) soo= * Ca(OH)2 = Casqu * 2011-
(2) 2P- * Ca(OH)2 = CaF2 * 2OH-
(3) Zn** * N3.2CO.3 ° ZnCO.3 * 2Na*
EXAMPLES OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT
The following text discusses how these technologies are
employed by the subcategoriec covered in this document and
the effluent quality.
DIMENSION STONE
The single important watar effluent parameter for this
industry is suspended solids. In dimension stone processing
facilities, water is only occasionally recycled. The
following summarizes waste treatment practices.
Stone
Mica Schist
Slate
Dolomitic
Limestone
Limestone
Granite
Facility Waste Water Treatment
5600
3017
301B
3053
3039
3040
3007
30CB
3009
3010
J001
3029
3038
3002
3003
3034
3051
330U
3305
3306
At facility 3038 chi--
raked tank with i:.
recycle of tank ovt-r:
since the facility :
the small adjacent r:
proprietary proceus :
from other soliJ:;
facilities ara tin-
Marble
settling
100% recycle
none
settling
settling
settling
settling
settling, 100* recycle
settling
settling, 100S recycle
settling
settling
flocculants, settling,
100% recycle
settling
settling
settling
none
settling
settling
settling, polymer, alum
'.r-.l treatment, solids separation via a
It ration of tank underflow, plus total
I.--- is practiced. This is necessary
y ir.mlic load would otherwise overwhelm
VT. Furthermore, the facility has j
o> separatina silicon carbide particles
t^r ev»!itir.l reuse. Since gram.te
-. .,ly users of silicon carbide.
?r-3
-------
non-granite processors could not obtain any cost benefits
from this Sic recovery practice.
Disposition of quarry and facility waste stone is more a
function of state requirements than of any other factor.
Thus, waste stone and settling pond solids are
conscientiously used to refill and reclaim quarries where
the state has strict reclamation laws. Corporate policy
regarding disposition of solid wastes is the second most
important factor, and type and yield of stone is the least
important factor. Thus, where both state and corporate
policy are lenient, solid wastes are accumulated in large
piles near the quarry (facilities 3017, 3053, and to some
extent 3051).
In addition to refilling abandcned quarries, some facilities
make real efforts to convert waste stone to usable rubble
stone (facilities 3034, 30UG), crushed stone (facilities
3051, 3038, 3018), or rip rap (facilities 3051, 3039).
Successful etforts to convert low grade stone to low priced
products are seen only in the rarble, granite, and dolomitic
limestone industries.
Pit pumpout does occur as a seasonal factor at some
locations, but suspended solids have generally been found to
be less than 25 n»g/l. The quality of mine Water can be
attributed more to stone type than to any other Lactor. For
example, granite quarry pumpcur at facility 3001 is 25 mq/l
TSS. However, limestone, narble, and dolomitic limestone
quarry water is Generally very clear and much lower in
suspended solids .
Several analyses of
follows:
Facility 3007
Facility 330U
Facility 3305
Facility 3306
Facility 3002
Facility 1003
Facility 3001
Facility 5600
treated effluents available are as
7.8 pH
7.1 mg/1 TSS (range 0-2U.5)
<10 JTO
<100 mg/1 total solids
<5 mg/1 TSS
<1 BCD
<1 JTU
600 mg/1 TSS
jU nq/i TSS
Water including runoff from 2
quarries
1 .-u:/l TSS
4 p i/l TSS
Fii,\r-hing FaciIity-37 mg/1 TGS
Ou.irry - 7 mg/1 TSS
-------
Facility 3051 Quarry - 7 mq/ I TSS
Facility- 16^8 nq/1 TSS
Second Kacility-H008 mg/1 TSS
CRUSHED STONE (WET PROCESSING)
In all of the facilities contacted, thf effluent from the
washing operation is sent through a settling por.d systom
prior to discharge. This system generally consists of at
least two settling ponds in series designed to reduce the
suspended soljd^ in the fin.^1 discharge. At facility 1U39
the suspended solids concentration entering the first
settlina pond is 7000-9000 mg/1 which is reduced to a level
of 15-20 mg/1 after flowing through the two ponds. Facility
3027 reports its settling pond system reduces the total
suspended solid level in the facility washwater by 95
percent.
In some instances (facility 1222J . flocculating Agents are
added to the waste stream trom the wash facility prior to
entering the first sottlinq rand to "xpedite the settling of
the fine particles. Mechanical equipment may be used in
conjunction with a sett linn pond wysten ir. an effort to
reduce the a-nount of sol ni& entering the first pond. At
facility 10UO, the waste wal * r fron the washing operation
flows through H Jrwatenrnj re-row which reportedly rpmoves 50
percent oc the solid RUI teri.il v,hich frtsr^sents a salvageable
c,roctucf. The wastf watrr flows fror-i the screw into the
first r.r'ttlinq pcnd.
Facility 1039 has *n evon n-orp effective :n«»t.hcJ for treating
waste w.iter from thi.- wrinhnuf nrnr.T-ion. As with facility
10UO, the waste v.ator :l-,ws ir.ro a Jewatrring screw. Just
prior to this at*-p, however, tacility 10J9 injects a
Cl circulating agent into the waste water which leads to a
hiyh«?r £.«ilvage rat_r.
Of the facilities contActfd theit wash crushed- stone, 33
percent do not disc^arne their wash water. Many of the
remaining facilities rrcycl*1 a r°rr-i°n °* their waste water
after treatment. It should be noted that evaporation and
percolation have j t'-ncl-M-'-'Y T« reduce the flow rat-e of the
final discharar ir. ir.iny instcinccs. Th«? maxn concern with
th*> final ctflutnt <->t a wi»t crush^il -.-tone cperation is the
level of ausppnd' j --ola.'ii:. riu? w.iy vary Ucpendinq on the
deposit, the degr^-t- of •- Bushing, an-l trie Treatment methods
employod.
The waste water M v.i i !«> u*»r :-,ctut.b«?r in f/.cility 1217 is
sent" t.o the firr-t cr t-o .-i-«tl.»r. i inji»ds in sr'ttes. Aft»»r
flowinq ttiroin;:i l-.'-'i p-Mi-V . ri»» water IF recycled tack to
-------
the scrubber with no dischasqe. Effluent data from some of
the facilities that do discharge wash water after treatment
by settling ponds are:
facility effluent source
1001 Flow - 8.7 x 10* treated discharge composed
I/day (2.30 mgd) of wash water (<*%) and
pH - 7.5 Pit pumpout (96*)
Turbidity - 16 FTU
1053 Flow - 1.8 x 10* wash water after treatment
I/day (O.U8 mgd)
pH - 8.U
Turbidity - 18 FTU
12 IP Flow - 6.2 x 10* wash water after treat-
1/day (1.6ft mgd) ment then combined with
TSS •• 20 mg/l' pit pumpout
Of t»-f facilities contacted the following »are practicing
total or partial recycle of process generated waste water:
1001
10G2
1L'03
102:
1039
;c :o
1062
1063
1U64
1161
1212
1217
1220
1222
1227
1223
i?53
1439
3027
5662
5512
5663
5664
The typf« of treatment used and the TSS values for ra*. and
treated *;»ote are shown below toe a number at" facilities.
TSS
Facility Treatment Syr.ten Raw Waste Treated Efflu.'-nt
1001* Settling pond l,05tt* 8*
1003 Settling pond (with
total recycle) 7,687* 7*
1004 Settlinn pond
3.7102 12*
1021 Settling ponds 7,06ft, 1ft2* 28*
7722 3*
1023* settling pond (with
partial recycle)
1031*- . Flooculatiuru'ie-
waterinq -'.-lew and
-------
settling pond (with
total recycle) 10,013* 7*
1053 Settling pond
21,7602 562
1218 Settling pond (with
total recycle) 20»
1219* Settling pond (with
partial recycle) 2*
1U39 Settling ponds
(with total
recycle) 7,000-8,000* 15-20*
5662* Settling pond
(with partial
recycle) 9*
5664* Settling pond
(with partial
recycle) «0t «2»
1 Company supplied data
z Contractor venfication data
* These facilities use a common pond for treating process waste
water and mine watt-r.
Many treatment ponds experience ground seepage. Facility
197« is an exor.ple or a facility achieving no discharge
because of seepage.
Many of the operators in this subcategory must periodically
clean their settling ponds of the fines which have settled
out from wash water. A clamshell bucket is often used to
accomplish this task. The fines recovered are sometimes in
the form of a saleable product (facility 1215) while in most
instances these fines are a waste material. In this
instance, the material is either stockpiled or used as
landfill (facilities I0b3 and 1212). The quantity of waste
materials entering tr.- pcr.a varies for each operator and the
processes involved. facility 1002 reports that the
washwater entering 'he -settling ponds contains U-5 percent
waste fines. The f .•'••^i-rcy of pond cleaning depends not
only on the nrocos- :• involved but also on the size of the
pond. Facility 121"' -.•-:•>- clear, its settling ponds once per
month,- the recover- : --tonal serving as landfill. The
disposal of these t itit-- presents problems for many
operators.
257
-------
CRUSHED STONE (MINE DE WAT BRING)
Pit pumpout may either be discharged directly with no
treatment (facility 1039} , discharged following treatment
(facilities 102C and 5640) , or discnarged with the treated
effluent from the washing operation (facility 1001). In the
latter case, the quarry water may be combined with the
untreated facility effluent and then flow through a settling
pond system prior to discharge (facility 5662) . The quarry
water may instead join the semi-treated effluent as flow to
the second of two settling ponds (facility 1213). There are
many variations to the handling of pit pumpout.
Mine dewatering data from several facilities of this
subcategory are:
facility TSS no/1 _
1001 3
1003 7
1C04 12
1020 (1)5, (2)1
1021 1, 1, 6, 1. 12, 2
1022 15
1023 34
1039 7
1040 25
,,
1215 (I)«2,f2)28
1219 2
1224
10-30
3319 1, 1, 1, 1, 2. 4, 5, 5, 5, 9, 11. 15.
17, 21, 35, 30. 38, 55, 64
3320 5, •?, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 19, 27, 28,
32, 35, 65, 103, 128
3321 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, 1«,
1!>, 17, 20, 21, 22, 22, 26, 45, 51, 67
5660 14
5661 0
5663 1
5664 42.4
(1) first pit
(2) second pit
CP.U£:i;D STONL MONITORING DATA
NPDES Discharge Monnonnq Reports (DMrtE) were obt.v..ned for
more than 65 plant•.-. in the crushed stone subcategory.
Treatment technoiC'ji<.-r- urnd at these facilities is unknown.
The total nunber oi ; :i4<-; was, 75b, however, only 631 reports
258
-------
had comparable sampling frequencies: one sample in thirty
days. The average TSS values for these 631 facilities (some
plants have more than one discharge) are given below;
avg. mean/avg. max.
I of DMflS sample type T.SS tng/1
575 quarry d*»watenng 13. l/2<*.5
115 commingled 28.0/45.3
9 process water 8.8/29.0
CRUSHED STOKE (FLOTATION)
At facility 1975, all waste water is combined and fed to a
series of settling lagoons to remove suspended materials.
The water is then recycled back to other washing operations
with ths exception of about 5 percent which is lost by
percolation and evaporation from the ponds. This loss is
made up by the addition of fresh water.
At facility 3069 a considerable portion of the waste water
is also recycled. The individual waste streams are sent to
settling tanks for removal of suspended solids. From these,
about 70 percent of the process water and all of the cooling
and boiler water is recycled. The remainder is released t.o
sott.li.nq ponds for further removal of suspended solids prior
to discF.arge.
At facility 1021, lagooning is also used for removal of
suspended solids. No recycle is practiced.
For facilities 3069 and 1021 the effluents are listed as
follows along with corresponding intake water compositions.
In the case of facility 1021 the dat.a presented are
analytical measurements made by the contractor.
259
-------
intake intake
w*ter effluent water effluent
(3069) (3069) (1021) (1021)
TSS 5 10 3 a
(mg/1)
BOD 1.0 <1.0 ---
(mg/1)
COD 1.0 <1.0 0 H
(mg/1)
sulfate 3.5 <2.0 13 19
(mg/1)
turbi- 10 6 a 2
dity (FTU)
chloride 3.8 «.1 50 . 20
total 32 128 164 15«
solids
(mg/1)
At Facility 10««, only non-contact cooling water is
discharged. The pH o£ facility 1007 effluent ranges from
6.0-8.0, and the significant parameters are:
Flow, i/ii'K'j of product (gal/ton) 625 (150)
TSS, mg/1 55
TSS, kg/kkg of product (1 lb/1000 Ib) Q.03'4
SAND AND GRAVEL
The predominant method of treating process waste water is to
remove sand fines and clay impurities by mechanical
dewatering devices and settling basins or ponds. Removal of
-200 mesh sand and clay fines is much more difficult and
requires settling tines that are usually not achievable with
mechanical equipment. Some facilities use settling aids to
hasten the settling process. The nest facilities in this
subcategory are able to recycle the claritied water back to
the process, water with a total suspended solids content
less than 200 mg/1 xr> generally clean enough to reuse in the
process. The follow mi tabulates data from facilities which
recirculate their prco.ss water resulting in no discharge of
process waste water:
260
-------
Input
Facility TSS (mg/ll
1055
3049
5617
5631
5674
unknown
1235 unknown
1391 a,550
1555 15,000
5,000
unknown
unknown
unknown
Output
T.5S (inq/ll
25
Treatment
spiral classi-
fiers, u-hectare
MO-acre) settling
basin
mechanical thick-
eners, settling
ponds
mechanical thick- 32
eners, cyclones,
2-hectare (5-acre)
settling basin
cyclones, lu-hectare 35
(35-acre) settling
basin
cyclones, vacuum 30
disc filter, 2-hectare
(5-acre) settling pond
with polymer floe
dewatering screws, unknown
settling ponds
dewatering screws, unknown
10-hectare (25-acre)
settling pond
dewatering screws, unknown
0.8-hectare (2-acre|
settling pond
Facilities 1012 and 5666 are hydraulic dredging facilities.
Slurry from these facilities is sent to a settling basin to
remove waste fines and clays. The decant from the settling
basin is returned to the wet pit to maintain a constant
water level for the dredge resulting in no discharge of
process water to nnvn.ible waters. Facilities 3339 and 33<*0
likewise achieve no uineharge.
Lack of land to a rc.ijor extent will impact the degree to
which a facility a- .--ble- to treat its process waste viater.
Many operations are iL'lr; to use worked-out sand and grivel
pits" as settling i ..-IPS;. Sdme have available land for
impoundment construction. The following lists the suspended
261
-------
solids concentration of treated waste water
facilities discharging:
effluents from
Facility
1006
1044
1056
1083
1129
5630
Treatment
dewatf»ring screw,
settling ponds
dewaterinq screw,
settlinq pond
settling ponds
dewaterinq screw,
settling ponds
dewatering screw,
settling ponds
dewatering screw,
settling ponds
55
154
25
47
44
2, 3, 4
Facility 1981, using heavy-media separation, recovers the
magnetite and/or ferrosilicon pulp, magnetically separates
the media from the tailings, and returns the media to the
process. Separation tailings tram the magnetic separator
are discharged to settling tMsins and mixed with process
water.
Pit pumpout and non-contact cooling water are virtually
discharged without trentrant. Facilities 1006 and 5630
discharge pit pumpout waiter through the same settlinq ponds
which handle process w^ter. Facility 1044 discharges
non-contact coclnuj wjt^r through the same settling ponds
used for treating process water. Dust suppression water is
adsorbed on the product anrl
Half tht; facilities visi-r-d are presently recirculating
their process water resulting ir. no discharge. Those
facilities recirculating «11 process generated waste
include:
water
1007
1013
1014
1046
1055
1056
1057
1058
1059
1084
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
1207
1208
1230
1234
12 J6
1391
1555
1629
3049
5622
5631
5656
5674
1235
5617
3341
The following facilit.•."> dc-nieve no discharge to navigable
waters by percolation:
1231
1232
5681
262
-------
The following facilities previously mentioned as recycling
all process generated waste waters declared that significant
perculation occurs in their ponds:
1057
1058
1233
123U
5656
Facilities 1005, 1012, 5670 dredge clcsec" ponds on their
property and discharge all process waste waters back to the
pond being dredged. Only very large rainfalls would cause a
discharge from these ponds to navigable waters. Facility
3342 discharges pjt water (never exceeding 21 mg/1 TSS} in
order to maintain the pond level.
The rest discharge process water.
discharges are:
Flo.
1/Xkq ot
oro-i-jct
Facility
1006
1044
1056
1063
1129
5630
(Qdl/ton)
(60C)
(4CO)
(420)
(250)
1170 (293)
2500
1670
1750
10UO
Characteristics of some
TSS
kg/kkq of product
(lb/1000 lb>
0.14
0.26
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.006
Solid wastes (finrs ar.J wprsizej ore disposed of in nearby
pits or worked-out -ir.?-is or sold. Clay fines which normally
are nos- r^.-noved i,y rr.e^hAnical f-quipment settle out and are
routinrly cleaned out ot tr29 remove cluy tines trcn the primary settling pond,
allow them to drain to nfrroximately 20 percent moisture
content, truck the wastes to a landfill site, and spread
them out to enhance drying.
SAND AND GRAVEL (Dr.EDoING-ON LAND PROCESSING)
At dredge 1009, there i
discharged to the n
facilities with spiral
thickeners, or TCJKH c\
method of process wnsr..
to methods uj;*>d i
Facilities 1046, 1C-1
mechanical devices ~."
process water th^n-rv
is a list of tre«ttrc«'r :
waste yater suspend?'!
s no treatment of the sand slurry
vrr. Removal of waste fines at land
classifiers, cyclones* mechanical
.isr'ifiers and nettling basins, is t^ie
witer treatment. These are similar
n ~.K.c wet processing subcategory.
1051 and 1052, by utilising
: .-c'_tlip.g basins, recirculate all
1-vj.nq no discharge. The followinq
i_-"od'j, raw waste loads, and treated
• li:- tor ..hese operations:
263
-------
Raw Waste Load,
Facility TSS (mq/1)
Treated Recycle
Water,
TSS (mg/1)
275
Treatment
1046 8,500 dewatering
screw, cyclone,
drag classi-
fier, settling
basin
1048 10,000 dewatering 50
screw,
cyclones,
settling basins
1051 9,000 dewatering 300
screw, drag
classifier,
settling basin
1052 7,500 dfcwatenng 230
screw, drag
classifier,
settling basin
with flocculants
Availability of land tor settling basins intluences the
method of process wafr treatment. Many operations use
worked-out sand and gravc-1 pits as settling basins (Facility
1GU8) or have land available for impoundment. Facility lO'iO
is not able to rocirculate under current con-Jit. ions due to
lack of space for settling basins. Land availability is net
a problem at facilities 1011 and 1009. Sand fines (*?00
mesh) are removed with mechanical uevices and conveyed to
disposal areas. Clay fines and tnat portion of the silica
fines smaller than 20C .-nosh, which settle out in a settling
basin, are periodically dredged and stockpiled. Facility
1051 spends approximately 120 days a y«?ar ur«»dging waste
fines out the primary settling pond. These fines are hauled
to a landfill area. Non-contact cooling water is typically
discharged into the same settling basins used for treating
process water. Dust suppression w<»*er is adsorbed onto the
product and evaporates. Effluent parameters at facilities
1010 and 1009 are:
Facility
1010-
100f»
TSo, kn/kku cf
cf orryjurt-
Ib/I0uo"ibl
1 6,000
0. 10
-------
INDUSTRIAL SAND (DRY)
Scrubber- water at facility 1107 is treated in 4 settling
pond where suspended solids are settled and the clarified
decant i» returned to the -crucber, resulting in no
discharge. Facility 1108 discharges wet scrubber water
without any tre?ttren? at 160,000 I/day (43,000 gpu) and
33,000 mg/1 TSS. Solid -vaste (oversize and sand ^incs) at
all of the facilities is lar.dtilled.
INDUSTRIAL SAND (WEI;
Under normal conditions facilities 1019, 1999, and 3066 are
able to iecii-c.»lat.e all process water by using claniiers
and pond the sludge. During periods of heavy rainfall, area
runoff into i.ne containment ponds cause a temporary
disrharne. Facility 1102 di:»<-;i<*rges process water,
including wet scrubber water, after treatment in settling
ponds. The treatment -nethi ds used by the faci'.ities are
shown os follows:
Facility T reatmsnt
1019 thickener, clanfier, settling
pond, recycle
1102 cyclone, thickener and noccu-
lant, dettlinu ponds
settling pond and recycle
3066 settling pond and recycle
Ii:CU£T?IAL SAND (FLOTATION)
At the ucid flotation facilities, facilities HC1, 1019,
1980, rtnd 1103, nil process wash and flotation wasle waters
are ted to sttt l^n-j lagoons in whic^ muds and other
suspended mat.-nals are csttlert out. The water is then
recycled to the process.
Facilities 1101 4.--1 1980 are presently producing products of
a specific grade wh.ch allows them to totally recycle all
their yrocfiss water. In two other facilities, facilit-es
1019 and i:03, all facility waste waters leave the
operations either .is part of a wet sludge which is l^nd
disposed or throuq.- percolation from the settling ponds.
There is no point .-ouice discharge from any of the acul
flotation operations.
At the alkaline :i-tjtion facility 5691, t^e uashwaters
combined and fc
-------
At facility 5980, the only facility found that uses HF
flotation, all waste waters are combined and fed to a
thickener to remove suspended materials. The overflow
containing 93.2 percent of the water is recycled to the
process. The underflow containing less tnari 7 percent of
the water is fed to a settling lagoon for removal of
suspended solids prior to discharqe. The pH is also
adjusted prior to discharqe. Fluoride ion concentration in
the settled effluent, ranges from 1.5 to 5.0 rig/1. The
composition of the intake and final effluent waters for the
alkaline flotation facility 5691, and the HF flotation
facility 5980 are presented as follows.
Pollutants Facility 5691 Facility 5930
ten acres
cf pone's.
The effluent from the treatment system is combined with the
effluent from tne company's construction sand plant. The
combined effluents are discharged to surface waters. The
composition of the combined effluent is given below:
kg/kicg (Ib/tonJ of product
pQ (units)
max. 7.2
nun. 6.u
TSS
average 1.01 (2.02)
Iron
266
-------
average
0.065 (O.U)
GYPSUM
Mine or quarry putnpout is generally discharged without
treatment. Most facilities discharge non-contact coolinq
water without treatment. Efflur-nt data for some facilities
discharging mine or quarry water are given as follows:
facility
10«41
10U2
1110
1112
1997
1999
flow. 10*
1/dav (nerd)
«.« (1.17)
6.H (1.70)
.19 (0.05)
5.1 <1.3b)
0.68 <0.16)
6.5 {1.71)
7.7
7.8
7.8
8.1
7.9
7.1*
Non-contact cooling water discharge from these facilities is
given below:
facility
1041
10U2
1112
1997
flow,l/kkg of
product
none
2«6
none
(1)
not known
6
no
not known
7.9
5
Land plaster dust collected IP. cyclones is either
to the process or hnule-1 away an« landri lied.
recycles
All process watT-i: .ji.oa for heavy media separation at
facility 1100 and the one other facility in this subcategory
is re-circulited thrcu^n settling basins, an underground
mine settling sump, iriJ returned to the separation circuit,
resulting in no disch.ni-:*? ot pioress waste water. In the
recycle circuit, tin* ri"S medic) (n-agnetite/ ferrous silica) is
reclaimed and is reu=.r-J in t ne w.-poration process.
Part of the wast o
aacregate, with t!if
worked-out sections c
1100 settle out in tr---
periodically ilredgej.
and deposited.
I->CK rrcm the HI4S is sold as road
•. iTainder being l.ir.dtilled in old
f the ciurfrry. Waste fines at facility
-.Ei-rtry settling basin and irust be
T'u^ w^iste ic l.auled to tne quarry
J LIMLSTONE
-------
No water is used in these operations hence there is no
effluent.
OIL IMPREGNATED DIATOMITE
All scrubber water at facility 5510 is completely recycled;
hence there is no process waste water discharge.
GILSONITE
The compositions of the intake water, the discharged
facility process water and the mine pumpout water are listed
below. There is a considerable concentration of suspended
solids in the mine pumpout water. These discharges are
currently being eliminated. The process and mine pumpcut
waters currently discharged at facility 5511 will soon be
employed on site for other purposes.
Concentration tmq/1)
intake effluent mine pumpout
Suspended solids 33 11 3375
BOD 35 «3 12
pH 7.7 8.2 7.9 - 6.1
TDS U01 29«9 620
Turbidity — — 70 JTU
Arsenic -- — 0.01
Barium — — <0.0l
Cadmium — <0.001 O.CO<*
Chloride — 0.15 8.9
Sulfate — 3t>3 195
ASBESTOS
Facility 3052 treats the quarry pumpout discharge with
sulturic acid (approxitrutely 0.02 mg/1 of effluent) to .lower
the pH of tiie hir»- ./ alkaline ground water that collects in
the quarry. The following tabulates the analytical data tor
this discharge:
flow, I/day
-------
area runoff from the waste tail.-.ng pile. Dae to soil
conditions, water that collects in the check dams eventually
percolates into the soil thereby .resulting in no discharge
to surface waters.
At the wet processing facility tl.j j-jocess water discharge
is treated in settling/ percolation ponds. Suspended
asbestos fibers settle out in the primary settling pond
prior to decanting the clarified effluent to the secondary
settling/percolation pond. Facility 1060 does not discharge
to surface waters. Non-contact cooling water is not treated
prior to discharge. Runoff from asbestos tailings at the
facility and the quarry is controlled with diversion
ditches, berms, and check dams. All facility drainage is
diverted to the settling/percolation ponds. Data on the
waste stream to the percolation pond includes the following:
Intake Discharge to
Hell Water Percolation Pond
flow, 1/kkg feed (gal/ton) unknown 856 {205)
total solids, mg/1 313 1,160
pH 7.5 7.8
magnesium, mg/1 14 48
sodium, mg/1 HH 345
chloride, mg/1 19 10u
nickel, mg/1 0.02 0.1
Asbestos fiber tailings are stockpiled near the facility
where the water is drained into the settling/percolation
ponds. After some drying, the tailings are transported and
lar.dfilled near the facility in dry arroyos or canyons.
Check dams art: construct&d at the lower end of these filled-
in areas.
The primary settling pond must be periodically drpdged to
remove suspended solids (primarily asbestos fibers). This
is done with a power shovel, and the wastes are piled along-
side the pond, allowed to dry, and landfilled.
269
-------
HOLLASTOHITE
Non-contact cooling water is discharged with no treatment to
a nearby river. There is no process waste water.
PER LITE
There is no water used.
PUMICE
At all facilities except facility 1705, there is no waste
water to be treated. At facility 1705, the scrubber water
is discharged to a settling pond for removal of suspended
materials prior to final discharge. Facility 1705 operates
on an intermittent basis, and no information is available on
the composition of its discharge. This facility produces
less than 0.1 percent of U.S. pumice.
VERMICULITE
Both vermiculite operations have no discharge of waste
waters. At "acility 5506, the waste stream is pumped to a
series of three settling ponds in which the solids axe
impounded, the water is clarified using aluminum sulfate as
a flocculant, and the clear water is recycled to the process
facility. The only water escape from this operation is due
to evaporation and seepage Cron the pond into ground water.
The overburden anu siaewall waste is returned to the mine
upon reclamation.
At facility 5507, the waste streams are mmped to a tailings
pond for settlinq of solids from which the clear water
underflows by seepage to a reservoir for process water no
the process facility. Local lumbering operations are
capable of drastically altering water runotf in tJis
watersheds around the mine. This requires n^-pass streams
around the ponding system.
MICA AND SERICITS (WET GRINDING}
At facility 2055, the raw waste stream is collected in surge
tanks and about 20 percent of the decanted water is recycled
to the process. The remainder is pumped to a nearby
facility for treatnent. The treatment consists of adding
polymer, clarification and filtration. The filter cake is
stockpiled and the filtrate discharged, ht facility 2059,
the waste stream flews to settling tanxs. The underflow
from the settlinq tanks is sent back to the process for mica
recovery. Tne overflow goes into a 0.8 hectare (2 acre}
pond for settlirio. The decanted water from this pond is
270
-------
recycled to the process. However, during heavy rainfall,
the settling pond overflows.
MICA (WET BENEFICIATION)
In facilities 2050, 2051, 2053, and 2058 the wastes are
treated by settling in ponds, and the supernatant from the
last pond is recycled to the facility. The sizes of tna
oonds used at each facility are given as follows.
Facility hectares acres
2050 7.3 18
2051 3.2 8
2053 0.8, 1.6, 2.8 2, «, 7
2058 8.1 20
During normal operations there is no discharge from ponds
20^0 and 2051. However, these ponds discharge during
exceptionally heavy rainfalls (U* rain/24 hours). The only
discharge at facility 2058 is the drainage from the sand
stockpiles which flows into a 0.4 hectare (1-acrc) pond and
discharges.
At facility 2054 waste water is treated in a 1.2 hectare
(3-acre) pond. Inis facility has suspended its operation
since June, 197U, due to necessary repairs to the pond, and
plans to convert the water flow system of this operation to
a closed circuit "no discharge" process by the addition of
thickening and filtration equipment.
At facilities 2052 and 2057 the waste water is treated in a
series of ponds and the overflow from the last pond IE
treated by lime for pH adjustment prior to discharge.
Facility 2052 has three pcnds of 1.2, 1.6, and 3.6 hectares
(3, U, and 9 acres, respectively) in size. In addition to
mica, these two facilities produce clay for use by ceramic
industries. According to responsible company officials,
these two facilities cannot operate on a total water recycle
basis. The amir.e reagent used in flotation circuits is
detrimental to the clay produces as it affacts their
viscosity and plasticity. The significant constituents in
the effluent from these facilities are given below:
271
-------
facility
2052
2050
20b7
pH before lime
treatment «.2 «A.3
pH after lit-ie treatment 6.5 6-9 6.5
TSS, mg/1 20 «00 <15
TSS, kg/kkg 1.5 <1.3
settleable solids,
ml/liter <0.t <0.i <0.1
EARITE {VET)
The waste water stveams are combined and sent to set timer
ponds and the reclaimed water from the ponds is recycled to
the washing facilities. At facilities 2012 and 2006, the
overflow from the settling pond percolates through gravel
piles amassed around the settling pond, and enters
clarification ponds. The supernatant water from the
clarification pond is then recycled to tne facilities for
reuse. Also, in these facilities (2012 and 20U6), there are
several small ponds created around the main impoundment area
to catch any accidental overflow from the clarification
ponds. Besides ponding, facilities 2015 and 2016 also use
coagula'.iou and flocculation to treat their process waste
water. A su^nary of the treatment systems for the barite
facilities in this subcategory follows:
Facility Discnarcre
2011
2012
Source
2013
2015
2016
2017
2016
Intermittent* Mill tailings,
runoff
Intermittent* well water
from clear
water pond
None from Mill tailings
tailings pond
None
Intermittent*
Mill tailings
Mill tailings,
runoff
Intermittent* Pill tailings,
runoff
Intermittent* Mill tailings,
runoff
Internittont* Mill tailings,
runoff
Treatment
Pond recycle,
18 ha (
-------
2020 Intermittent* Weil water
from clear
water pond
None from Mill tailings Pond, 2 ha
settling pond (6 ac)
20«6 Intermittent- Well water Pond, 12 ha
from clear (30 ac)
pond clarification
None from Hill tilings Pond, recycle
tailings pond
2112 None Slime Pond Pond recycle
•Indicates overflow due to heavy rainfall.
In normal circumstances, there is no effluent discharge from
any of these facilities. During heavy rains six facilities
(2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020) have an overflow
from the impoundment area. Facilities 2012 and 2046 have no
overflow from their tailings impoundment, area. However,
during heavy rainfall, they do have overflow from clear
water ponds. Due to its geographical location, facility
2013 has no pond overflow. The amounts of these
intermittent discharqes are not known. Data concerning
tailings pond effluent after heavy rainfall was obtained
from one facility. The significant constituents in tnis
effluent are reported as follows:
Facility 2JM1
Daily Avg. - Max.
pH 6.0 - 6.0
TSS, mg/1 15 32
Total barium,
mg/1 0.1 - 0.5
Iron, mg/1 G.O* - 0.09
Lead, mg/1 0.03 - 0.10
BAR1TE (FLOTATION)
Wastewater is treated by clarification and either recycled
or discharged. A saTjnary of the treatment systems is qiven
as follows:
273
-------
Facility Discharge
Source
Treatment
2010 Intermittent »
Intermittent
201U None
None
2019 Intermittent *
Hill tailings
Runoff, spills,
washdown water
Mill tailings
Washdown water
Mill tailings
Pond, recycle
Pond
Pond, evapora-
tion and seepage
Pond, evapora-
tion and seepage
Pond
1 Indicates overflow due to heavy rainfall
2 Overflow by facility to maintain pond level
Facility 2010 has two ponds with a total capacity of
16 hectares (HO acres) to handle the process waste water.
The flotation tailings are pimped into one of the ponds and
the clear water is punpea to the other pond. The mill
tailings water is in closed circuit, with occasional
overflow from the tailings pond. This overflow deoends upon
the amount of surface water runoff from rainfall and the
amount of evaporation from tnis pond. The overflow varies
from 0 to 760 1/min (0 to 200 gpm) . At times, there is no
overflow from this pond for a year or more. The clear water
pond catches the surface runoff water, spills from the
thickener, water from use of hoses, clear water used in the
laboratory, etc. This pond has also an intermittent
discharge varying from 0 to 380 1/min (0-100 qpm) . The
sicjnifleant constituents in tnese effluent streams are as
follows:
Waste
Material
Tailir.gs Pond
Daily Average
Max. Cone.
(ma/1)
Ar.ount
kg/day Ob/day)
Clear Water Pond
Daily Average
Max. Cone.
(mg/1)
TSS
IDS
Ammonia
Cadmium
Chromium
Iron, total
Lead, total
Manganese.
total
Nickel, total
Zinc, total
3-5
800-1271
<0.1-0.1
O.OC4-O.OC3
0.2CO-0.4C3
O.C30-0.063
0.020-0.080
0.002-0.CCS
0.0:0-!).073
O.C05-0.010
1.8
467
<0.5
<0.5
5
5
<0
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
(3.5)
(934)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
3-6
1000-1815
5-35
0.100-0.120
C.030-0.070
0.040-0.090
0.004-0.003
0.030-0.070
O.C3U-0.090
27u
-------
At facility 20ldr there are no effluent discharges trom the
property. The mill tailings and the spent brine from the
water softening system are pumped into the tailings settling
pond and the washdown of the floors is pumped to a separate
pond. These ponds eventually dry by evaporation and
seepage. This facility has no problem in terms of pond
overflow due to its geographical location.
At facility 2019, process waste water is collected into a
large pipe which crosses under the nearby river into a
UO hectare (100 acre) pond. The pond water pH is maintained
at about 7.2 by application of lime. An overflow is
necessary from this pond to maintain a constant pond
elevation. The discharge from this pond is intermittent.
Of the Hf731,000 I/day (1.25 mgd) input to the pond, there
is an estimated 3,785,000 I/day {1.0 mgd) percolation
through the pond berm. The pond berm is built primarily of
river bottom sands, on a regular discharge basis (9 hours a
day and U 1/2 days per week operation), the eftluent
discharge from this facility would Le 916.000 I/day
(250,000 gal/day). This pond is seven years old and has an
estimated life cycle of eighteen years. When overflow to
the river is desired, lime and ferric chloride are used to
decrease suspended solids. It has been reported that the
average TSS concentration in this effluent is 250 mg/1.
BARITE (MINE DEWATBRING)
There is one underground mine in this category at
facility 2010. The other mining operations are in dry open
pits. The underground mine workings intercept numerous
ground water sources. The water from this mine is directed
through ditches and culverts to sumps in the mine. The
sumps serve as sedimentation vessels: and suction tor
centrifugal pumps which discharge this water to the upper
level sump. This mine water is neutralized with limt (CaO)
by a continuously monitored automated system for pH
adjustment and sent to a pond for gravity settling prior to
discharge into a nearby creek. The discharge from this mine
is estimated to be 397,000 I/day (237,000 gal/day).
The raw waste from the mine has a pH of about 3.0. The pH
is raised to 6-9 by addition of lime and then pumped into a
pond for gravity settling. There are currently two ponds,
and a third pond is under construction to treat the nine
discharge. Presently one of these ponds is in use and the
other one is bfcinc excavated and cleaned so that it will be
ready for use when the first pond is filled.
The significant constituents in this effluent are reported
to be as follows:
275
-------
Parameter
New
Facility Pond
Da ta Des ign
Verification
Sampling
pH
Acidity
Hardness
IDS
TSS
sou
Fe7 total
Fe, dissolved
Al
Pb
Hn
Ni
zn
23
2.6
0,6
O.C6
1.3
0.05
0.01
25
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.5
0.05
0.1
2.6
404
3920
4348
1167
1515
225
177
13.0
>0.2
156
1.52
2.1
The facility stated that the verification data reflect new
acid seepage from adjoining property. The column "new pond
design "represents the company's design criteria for
building the third pond.
FLUORSPAR (HMS)
At four facilities (20C4, 2005, 2006 and 2008) process water
from the thickener is pumped to either a holding pond or
reservoir, and then back to the facility on a total recycle
basis. At facility 2009, there are four ponds to treat the
HMS tailjngs. Three of these ponds are always in use. The
idle pond is allowed \.o dry and is then harvested for
settled fluorspar fines. There is no discharge from this
facility. At facility 2007 the HMS tailings enter a
1.8 hectare (4.5 acre) pond which has eight days of
retention capacity. The water from this pond is then
discharged. The significant constituents in the effluent
fron facility 2007 is given as follows:
waste Components r"q/l
Fluoride
TSS
Lead
Zinc
oH
3.0
10.0
0.015
0.09
kq/kkg of product
;lb/1000
0.01
0. 13
0.0002
0.0012
276
-------
FLUORSPAR (FLOTATION)
The waste water of the facilities in this subcategory is
treated in settling a/id ciaraticato.cn ponds. At
facility 2000, the mill tailings are pumped into a 7 hectare
(17 acre) settling pond for gravity settling. The overflow
from the settling pond tiows into three successive
clarification ponds of 2.8, 1.6, and 2.U hectares (7, U, and
6 ficres, respectively). The etflnent of the third
clarification pond is discharged. Settling in the chird
clarification pond is hindered by the presence of carp and
shad which stir up tne sediments. Experiments are in
progress using a floceulant in the influent line of the
second clarification pcnd to reduce the total sus[-etuJc"l
solids in the effluent. These clarification ponds are
situated below the flood stage level of the nearby nvcr,
and during Mood seasons, the water from the river b«cky
into tne ponds. Some mixing does occur but when tlooa
waters recede, but it is claimed that most of the slu-Jqe
remains in the ponds.
At facility 2001, the tailings trom the fluorupat rougher
flotation cells, are purtped into a settling pond froir. which
the overflow is discharged. Facility 2001 has a new
<» hectare (10 acre) clarification pond with a capacity .->f
approximately 106 million liters (28 million gallons). Tne
effluent from the first settling pond will be pumped to tne
new clarification porva. A flocculant will be aJ ied to the
influent of tne new pond in quantities sufficient to settle
the sufapended solids to neet the state specitirations (TSS
15 ;r.g'l). A portion or the water from the clarification
pond <=-
recycled will be discharged.
Totdl recycle operation has been attempted on an
experimental b-dis by one of tpese operations for <* peciod
of eight months, without success. The failure of this
system has been attributed to the complexity ot chernvzal
buildups d'jfc to tlw numerous rea-jents used in the various
flotation circuits.
Tne non-contact coolina water and the boiltr hlowaowr.s are
discharged at tac-ility 2001 without treatment. Facility
?000 includes these wastes in the process w*ste water
treatment system. facility 2003 mines an ore which is
diiferent cro-, tne ores processed in the othe*- t-.jo
facilities. Tins facility produces only fluorspar. The
tailings from t::t> '••.ill .no to two settling ponds in series.
The overflow :ro-r, t.-.e second settling pond is sent to \.he
heavy media t'ari lit'/.- -r-d there is no discharge. A new po.-,d
is being constru, -.--.. at facility 2003.
277
-------
Effluents reported by facilities 2000 and 2001 for their
current operation and anticipated performance are:
concentration (mq/1)
2000 2001
Current Antici- Current Antici-
operation pated operation pated
PH
TSS
Fluoride
7.2
500
5.1
no change 8.2
30-60 1,800
5.1 9.8
no change
15-20
9.8
TS55
Fluoride
kg/kkg of product (Ib/lCOO Ib)
2000 2001
Current Antici- Current Ar.tici-
oDeration
>ated operation pat-ed
i*.8 0.29-0.57 3«*.U 0.29-0.38
0.05 0.05 0.19 0.19
Additional sampling are by concentration (mg/1)
PH
Alkalinity
Hardness
TSS
TDS
F
Fe (total)
Cd
Cr
Cu
Pb
Mn
Zn
FLUORSPAR (MINE DEWATERING)
Presently at only three mines the effluent stream is
discharged without any treatment (2085, 2091 and 2092).
Only effluent from mine 2091 passes through a very small
pond, 0.1 hectare
-------
TABLE 13
FLUORSPAB HIKE DEUATER1HG DATA
roas 2092
settling Btttlicg
IT/1 -080 2061 2082 2083 nine pond 2086 2068 2089 2090 2091 mine pood 2093
pli S.I 7.1 7.6 7.6 7.4 7.7 8.1 7.7 7.2 7.9 8.0
Alkalinity 224 107 (80 $75 61 56 38 32
K ~ ].* 2.4 1.4 1.3 2./S 1.7 2.3 1.4 2.3 1.2 1.6
fe 1.0 0.05 0.66 O.^ .OS 2.0 0.05 .05 1.33 0.50 0.9
Pb .03 0.1 .02 < a.2 < C.2 -0.2 .03 .03 < 0.2 * 0.2 0.9 •« 0.2 < 0.2 0.075
>ai 0.16 A.05 0.05 0.62 0.11 0.01 0.18 0.18 0.1
Zn 0.; 0.03 .08 0.76 <0.01 0.3' 0,54 0.06 0.5 0.2 0.17 O.G3 0.235
-------
SALINES (BRINE LAKES)
As the evaporation-crystallisation process involves only
recovery of salts from natural saline brines, with the
addition of only process water, the only wastes are depleted
brines and end liquors wnich are returned to the salt-, body
without treatment.
BORAX
Present treatment consists of percolation-proof evaporation
ponds with no discharge.
POTASH
All waste streams from tho sylvinite facilities are disposed
of in evaporation ponds with no discharge. At the
langbeinite facilities 20-3C percent of the cooling water is
evaporated. All '-he process waste water from the
langbeinite purification facilities are fed to evaporation
ponds with no discharge. All known deposits of sylvinite
and lanqbeinite ore in the U.S. are located in arid regions.
TRONA
Process waste waters go to tailings separation ponds to
settle out the rapidly settling suspended materials and then
to the final disposal ponds which serve as evaporation
ponds. where process water discharge takes place (at
present only facility 5933), the overflow is from these
latter ponds. Facility 5933 has plans to eliminate this
discharge. The ground water and runoff waters are also led
to collection ponds where settling and large amounts of
evaporation take place. The excess of these flows at the
5962 and 5976 facilities is discharged.
Evaporation of the saline waste waters fro-n these facilities
takes place principally in the suironer month' since the ponds
freeze in the winter. The net evaporation averaged over the
year apparently requires an acre of pond surface for each
2,000 to «,000 galAlay (equivalent to 19,000 to 37,000 I/day
per hectare) based on present performance.
There is no discharqe from facility 5999. Facility 5576
only mines ore ana discharges only mine water. The facility
5962 discharge is only ground and runoff waters. The waste
constituents after treatment of the discharge at 5933 were
at the time of permit dppliration:
26U
-------
total s
dissolved solids
suspended solids
mg/1
9,000
8.300
700
kg/day (Ib/day)
86C
793
67
(1,900)
(1,750)
(150)
SODIUM SOLFATE
There are no discharges due to total evaporation at the arid
locations involved.
ROCK SALT
Generally there is no treatment of the miscellaneous saline
waste water associated with the mining, crushing and sizing
of rocfc salt. Some of the facilities have settling ponds.
Facility 0028 is unique in that the mine shaft passes
through an impure brine aquifer and entraps hydrogen suifice
gas. The oeepaqe from this brine scream around the shaft is
contained by entrapment rings. The solution is filtered,
chemically treated and r«»-injected into a well to the
aquifer.
The effluents from these facilities consist pririarily of
waste water from the dust collectors., miscellaneous washdown
of operating area?, end mine seepage. The compositions of
some of the tacility effluents expressed in mj/1 are as
fellows:
volume
Facility I/day oal/dav
4013 a, 090,000
4026 150,000
4027 500,000
4033 76,000
4034 (001) 306,000
(002b) 522,000
1,080,000
40,000
132,000
20,200
81,000
138,000
TDS
mq/1
4,660
30,900
—
30,200
53,000 -
112,000
319,000 -
TSS pri
mq/1
trace*
72 7.5
150 6.5
trace**
470 - 8.5-9.0
1,870 7.6
323,000 4,750
* "due to dilution
** runoff only, renaindei: of waste re-injected to well.
281
-------
The suspended soliJo content in the process water discharges
from facilities 401J, 4026, and 4027 range up to 0.02 kg/khg
of product. At least one of these facilities discharges an
average of as little as 0.002 kg/kkg of product.
PHOSPHATE
Some facilities use well water for pump seal water (>2000
gpm) claiming that this is necessary in order to protect the
seals. Others, facility 4015 for example, use recycled
slime pond water with no problems. Some facilities also
claim that well water is necessary for air scrubbers on
dryers in order to prevent ncz?.le plugging and utilize the
cooler temperature of the well water to increase scrubber
efficiency. Other facilities also recycle this with no
apparent difficulty. facility 4018 recycles this water
through a small pond that treats no other wastes.
The treatment of the process waste streams consists of
gravity settling through an extensive use of ponds. The
slimes which are common to all phosphate ore beneficiation
processes, although differing in characteristics, are the
ma^or waste problem with respect to disposition. The slimes
at 3-5 percent solids either flow by gravity via open ditch
with necessary lilt stations or are pumped directly to the
settling ponds. The pond overflow is one of the primary
sources of the recycle process water. Those facilities thar
include flotation discharge sand tailings at 20*30 percent
solids to a mined out area. Settling occurs rapidly with a
part or all of the water returned to recycle and the solids
used in land reclamation. The pond sizes are quite large,
160 hectares ( .-tverages betweei. 7 and 8.
282
-------
Sufficient data was available froa the Florida phosphate and
processing facilities to use statistical methods. For a
given plant normal and logarithmic nomal distributions were
tested en the individual dally values for TSS and the
monthly averages for TSS. Zt was found that a three
parameter logarithmic normal distribution best fit the data.
Figure 57 plots log TSS (ag/1) versus probability for one
facility. At higher values of Tau, tne TSS values fit a
straight line determined by a least squares program very
well.
The following data summarixe the results of the statistical
analyses:
PHOSPHATE EFFLULNT QUALITY
TSS, mg/1
Long Monthly 99
Term Percentile
Average
4002
UOOOA(I)
9.2
9.7
11.3
13.5
J.5
2.5
18.1
-
18.7
16.0
13.2
15.0
28.2
15.8
46.5
14.9
7.4
1S8
7.0
5.6
6.3
2.8
5.5
-
10.8
8.2
8.3
3.1
2.3
21.7
19
13.1
16.9
17.0
19.1
14.6
18.3
34.0
7.9
9.2
26.4
-
S.2
4.9
3.7
7.5
3B.6
17.4
70.3
7.3
8.
35.
,1
,5
4G04B(1)
40098(2)
400QB(3)
4005A(1)
4005A(2)
4005B(1)
40058(2)
4005C(1)
400SC(2)
4005C(3)
901S{1)
4015(2)
4015(3)
4016
4018
4019A
4019B
4019C
4Q20A
4020B
•1974-1975 Data
••1975-1976 Data
Some caution must be exercised when reviewing the data. For
instance some of the data noted are weekly composites and it
can be expected that -.Is* daily variability will be somewhat
higher. Some or tne analyses, on the other hand, were
28.7
25.7
29.4
20.7
190.8
. '.5
798
17.3
24.5
36.2
6.8
7.0
Observed
Maximum
Monthly
Average
26
14
-
53
6
5
29
-
75
22
23
_
_
18
109
—
13
453
13
18
17
5
6
27
16
d
5
4
33
26
27
27
29
26
23
24
91
18
16
137
-
9
9
37
14
Daily 99
Percen-
tile
220
50.7
47.3
68.5
16.1
8.5
59.6
-
56.4
38
44.6
75.9
116.1
39
303
24.0
20.2
1334
43.1
33.3
54.0
21.1
12.3
50.4
39.8
12. 6
10.7
7.9
51.3
48.4
71.5
41.6
43.0
46.1
74.4
52.4
221
32.8
47.9
-
-
18.8
20.7
68. 0
21.3
Observed
Daily
Maximum
64
50
30
103
12
10
75
-
67
35
47
55
105
36
181
20
17
1072
41
-
43
14
12
—
44
32
12.0
7
7
49
ft7
62
41
07
37
70
55
162
24
U6
1961
-
15
15
141
28
293
-------
FIGURE
Normal Distribution of Log 1SS
for n Phoschate SUme Pond
1C 14
•"> «o y<
n H
rt
•:-yT pr.y:—-|-•:_..
.L^_ J_..
i . . i
. j_-i_j-':;_
• i
1 i
• o o -
1'
-------
performed on less than 12 data points. This was the case
for some monthly data.
tn other cases poor aavplinq techniques were employed by the
facilities, and aone data were not analyzed because of
facility admissions of in-proper sampling. In other cases
hi«jh TSS vxluea resulted from erosion
-------
SULFUR (FRASCH - ANHYDRITE)
There are no process waste waters emanating from these
facilities. The only waste from these facilities is sludge
vhich originates from the water purification operation, and
it is sent to a thickener where as much water as possible is
reclaimed for recycling back to the system. At facility
2020 approximately 90 percent of the thickener sludge is
used as an additive to the mud that is injected into the ore
body in order to improve the thermal and hydrologic
efficiency of the nine. The remaining 10 percent is pumped
into a settling pond for evaporation. At facility 2095, the
entire thickener sludge is used as drilling mud.
SULFUR (FRASCH - SALT COKE)
The major waste from the sulfur annes is the bleedwater from
the formation. Due to the nature of the mining operation,
it is not possible to significantly reduce the quantity of
the bleedwater produced. Large aeration ponds are
considered to be the best technology available for treating
the water from the bleed wells. However, due to the
scarcity of land space for ponds t.ear some of these mines,
each facility uses a unique treating system to reduce the
hydrogen sulfide and suspended solid concentrations in the
bleedwater effluent streams.
There are four waste streams at facility 2021. Outfalls »1
(power facility effluent), »2 (sludge from the domestic
water treating facility), and t5 (water from sealing wells,
miscellaneous sanitary waste and drips and drains) Are
disposed of in a seawater bay leading into the Gulf without
any treatment. Outfall C3 (bleedwater) is first flashed
into a large open top tank which causes reduction in
hydrogen sulfide concentrations. After a short residence in
the tank, this effluent is mixed with seawater to effect
further oxidation of the hydrogen sulfides to sulfates .2nd
to dilute it before discharge. A flash stripping and
oxidacion system was chosen for this facility primarily
because of a new procedure of up-flank bleeding which
precluded the continued use of the existing treatment
reservoir.
The location of mine 20^2, sone 9.6 to 11.2 km (6 to 7
miles) offshore in t\:s Gulf, does not ler.d itself to the
conventional aeration reservoir. Mechanical aeration
systems are consider•:•<'. undesirable by this company due to
the large quantities ot qaseous hydrogen sulfide thac would
be released to tnu atmosphere and ccrne in contact *ith
personnel on the pl.itforr.. Koine quantities of dissolved
hydrogen suicide ar«? swept out of the solution through
286
-------
gaseous evolution of carbon dioxide and methane present J.n
the formation water. Additionally, oxidation ot sulrides
occurs througn the ruction with the dissolved oyygeu in the
seawater by using a diftuser system. Trie results of water
sampling, since tne nine began operations, have shown an
acsence of sulfides within 150 m (500 ft) of the discharge
points. Because conventional treatment systems (ponds)
cannot be used and because relocation is impossible,
situations such as this will be regulated in a oeparate
sutcatecory.
Presently, there is only one ma^or waste stream at facility
2023. However, there are 6 other discharge points from this
facility primarily for rainwater runctfs. This mine has
three pumping stations in the field for rain water runoffs
which are newly designated discharge points. In addition,
there are 3 discharge points installed to cover rainwater-
runoffs and the drips and drains from the levee system
around the power facility. This levpe system has been built
to improve the housekeeping in the power facility area. The
bleedwater from the mire is aerated in one of three small
reservoirs, located in the field area, prior to pumping to
the nain treatment reservoir which is about *0 hectares
(25 cscrea) in size. Here the water is sprayed to reduce
hyciroqen sulfide concentrations. It is then impounded for
3-«J days where further aeration occurs. Finally, it is
mixed with pumped-in scawater at a ratio ot 20 to 1 in a
1S30 meter (6000-foot), man-made canal to oxidise any
remaining sulfides to suifrtt«s prior to discharge. Po«°r
facility wastes are also piped ir.to the canal where
temperatures are equilibrated and solids are settled.
Oxidation is effecting sulfide removal in this ditch ratner
than just dilution as evidenced by the avearagc reduction of
sulfide from 107 mg/1 to less than 0.1 mg/1 before and af^er
mixing with the seawater. A spray system was chosen for
aeration in this facility due *o the lack of suitable land
space for the construction of a large conventional
reservoir.
Four discharge streams emanate from facility 7021.
Discharges *1 and • _', the power facility discharges and
mining water fron sealing wells, respectively, discharge
into a river without treatment. Discnarge 92, the
bleedwater, flows hy gravity through a ditch intc ^
SO hectare (125 acr« » i-r>-.ervoir where oxidation of hydrogen
sulfide is accos^ 1 is>i."i'.. The effluent residence ^ine in
this reservoir iu '.i/out 15 to 18 days. The treated
bleedwater flows irt.o a _-wift flowing tributary of a river
^ust before it entor.- ticil waters. All sewage etfluents
entering into disc* ir
-------
At mine 2025 the bleedwater flows to a snail settling basin
from where it is routed through a nixing zone. SOifurous
acid and deposition inhibitor are added to the bleedwater in
thin nixing zone and then the waste water is routed to
packed towers for hydrogen sulfide removal. In the packed
towers, the bleedwater flows counter current to cooled
boiler flue gas. The treated bleedwater is nert aerated and
sent to a 10 hectare (25 acre) settling basin. Th. overflow
from the settling basin flows through two 10-T2 hectare (2b
to 30 acre) clarification ponds, prior to discharge into the
tidal section of a river through a 35 >an (22 cule) long
disoosal canal. The effluents from the water softening and
treating operations are di-ocliarged into an earthan pond to
settle the solids and the sludge. The supernatant water
from this pond is discharged into a river. The solids are
mixed with some clay end used as substitute drilling mud.
Rainfall runoffs, boiler Slowdown and other facility area
wastes are disctiarged without treatment. The sanitary waste
is treated in a septic tank system and then discharged into
oxidation ponds. The overflows from th*»se ponds are
discharged into a river.
Ir. nine 2026, the blee..water is treated in a series of three
ponds for settling and oxidation. Pond *1 is about
i<; hectares (35 acres) and ponds 02 and t3 are about
?2 hectares (t30 .--.cresj each on aize. The overflow fro:i
pond fl flows through .1 3.2 fcn {2 mile) ditch into pond 92.
The overflow froin the tnirJ i>or.d is discharged inco a river.
Part, of the rainfall runoff, a small part cf the boiler
blowdown (the continiiOL-s slowdown is returned to the mine
water system), zeolite softener regensration water, pump
gland water, and washwater are sent into a nearby lake
without treat* »-:it. The olowdown from the hot process
softening system ano clarifier system is discharged to pita
where the excess supernatant is discharged with the
remaining raintall runoffs into the creek. The eettled
solids are used ae Drilling mud. The sanitary waste of this
mine is treated in * septic tank system and reused in the
mine water system.
At mine 2027 the bleedwater treatment process us*d consists
of contacting the waste water from the bleedwelis with
sulfvrous acid with provisions for adequate nixing followed
with sufficient retention ti-ce. Sulfurous acid is made both
by burning liquid s-:lfur or from hydrogen sulfide
originating from the bleedwater. In this process, the
soluble sulfides in th? bleedwater are converted to
elemental sulfur and ^xidi-ed sulfur products in a series of
reaction vessels. Th^ «»xc*3s acid is next neutralized with
line and the insolubl^ sulfur is removed by sedimentation.
The effluent thus trc-»r^i passes through rive basins in
268
-------
series having a total retention capacity of a tout one day.
The overflow front the last basin is discharged into a salt
water canal which flows into the tidal section of a river.
The waste stream from the wat^r clarification operation is
discharged into an earthen pond to settle the solids and the
sludge. The supernatant water from this pond is nixed with
boiler blowdcwn waste and other waste streams prior to
discharge into the salt water canal. Rainfall runoff a are
sent into the canal without any treatment. The sanitary
waste of t.us nine >s treated in a septic tank system and
then discharged into a disposal field.
In mine 2023, the wucer from the bleedwells is **ent into two
separate tanks from unere it flows through 2« k.* (15 miles)
of underground piping into a ditch aoout 5 km (3 mlea) in
length. From there it flows into a 325 hectare (800 acres)
pond for oxidation and settling. Treated effluent from this
pcnd is discharged 60 days per year into a ditch. This is
because the canal water, while subject to tidal influence,
is selectively used for irrigation supply water. The waste
stream from the water olarifier and zeolite softening
operation is discharged into an earthen pond to settle the
solids end the sluice. The supernatant water fron this pond
la intermittently pumped cut into a creek. The solids are
tr.ixeJ with some clay and used as drilling mud. Boiler
blowdoxn water, facility area wastes and rainlail rur.otfs
arc sent into a nearby creek. The sanitary w^ste of this
mine is treated in A septic tank system and then discharged
ir. ± disposal field.
The raintall runoffs, boiler blowdowns, waste resulting from
the water softening and treating operations, facility Jr«?ii
wastes are sent into receiving waterways without any
treatment. Therefore, the composition of these streams are
as qiven in the raw waste load section. Table IB compares
the discharges from these facilities. Alternate forms of
sulfur treatment are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Oxidation-Reduction reactions
The modification or destruction of many hazardous wastes is
accomplished by chenical oxidation O£ reduction reactions.
Hexavalent chroniur.i is recuced to the less hazardof.o
trivalent form with s^iiv.r dioxide or bisulfites. Sulfirtes
can be oxidized wit-.h air to relatively jpnocuous sulf-ites.
The oxidation reacrLLO-a for a number ot sulfur compounds
pertinent to the sulijr ir.^uctry ate discussed below.
2&9
-------
TA::;£
Plonf
A;c
I -.r.lian
TcV.I U;-->cirjc,
Tc:.-l
FolL'f.mlJ (in total
Jii:!i<3t{jn)
TSS, rn/i
T:S. iv'n-9
Si-Sfk'c, PTJ' 1
fiulfi-Jcy ^3,• I' '
K FACIUTirS
COMPARISON Of DISCHARGES
2021
14
ixi *
I rtO
, '~
74
10J
160
'•ergo.
4.6
^rger.
, 11.2
. j
tai
57
10.3
16
, 2.S
2023
41
LJ«
423
260
27
16.4
33
3.6
0.4
0.1
2024
21
U.
19
6.9
19
6.9
0.7
51
0.4
2025
•0
Tx
30
12.1
33
12.1
30
0.4
i-:i
nil
2024
2i
Tx
17
20
17
20
20
0.4
nii
nil
2027
22
Tx
23
20.5
23
20 5
5
0.1
ril
nil
2C2&
17
Tx
II.
21.
II.
21.
4C
0.
nil
nil
5
5
5
5
9
2029
23
Tx
8.
II.
8.
11.
50
0.
7
8
7
0
6
not de-
tected
20?
6
Tx
11
22
11
22
30
0
2
0
7
.5
.1
e
.1
.7
.04
T5S (•. n.. ulcr confriottion
o-ilftc-1) ty''h 4.8 0.3 0.7 O.i 0.4 O.I 0.9 0.6 0.7
-------
Inorganic Sulfur Compounds
Inorganic sulfur compounds range from the very harmful
hydrogen sulfide to the relatively innocuous sulfate salts
such as sodium sulfate. Intermediate oxidation products
include sultides, thicsulf ates, hydrosulfitss, and sulfitts.
Oxidation of sulfur compounds is accomplished with air,
hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, amoving others.
(1) Sulfides
Sulfides are readily oxidirable with air to thiosulf ate.
Thiosulfates are less hamtul than sulfides (of the crder of
1000 to 1) .
2HS- » i02 ~ S20J = * H20
Tl.e reaction goes to 90- 95 percent completion.
( 2 ) Thicsulf -itps
Thiosulf ates <*re difficult to oxidize t'ur^ r with a^r (21).
?:.">• can b*> oxidirej to sul rates with powertui oxidizing
.1 -f-nts such .is cr.Torjnc cr r.croxicles. However, the :-"r,iscn
sullur industry .'-.as «x:-*-rienccd oxidation of aulfidtn with
a\r to '.'li-rental ^uiiur and oxidation of tniosuli?iies to
sultatos.
( 2 ) :'v-jrosvl f it PS
Kydrosulf ites c^n alr.o be oxidir.ed by such oxidising agents
anJ perhaps with cataiyieJ air oxidation.
(tt) Su
r-ulfites are readily oxidized with air to sulfates at a
90-99 percent completion level, chlorine and peroxides ore
a iso ettective.
Salt do*ne sulfur proa-c»rs have large quantities cf bleed-
water to treat and 3i' r-cie of. This presents two problems:
removal of rul fides *ri: -ipposal of the remaining brip.tr.
Since there is currcrnly no practical cr economical means of
repovir.5 the salt r:.r t^e brine, it nust be di spose-1 of
either, in brackish :' suit water, or Airpour.-ied ar-.i.
discharged intprr.itt« -• :y ^urin«r Epecified tines.
Removal ot sulfidej rr*. -?i to discharge of the brine is tlsc
a na^or tr°.itnent r>. i L--i". There arr two types cf
r troataier.t '- -:ilitiea found in this industry tor
-------
removal of sulfides. Examples of each are given in Figure
58.
In treatment type 1 the bleedwater is air lifted to a small
settling basin and then sent to a mixing zone where
sulfurous acid and deposition inhibitor are added. The
bleedwater is then sent to packed towers for rer.oval ot
hydrogen sulfide. In the packed towers the bleedwater flows
countercurrent to coolad boiler flue gas. The treated
bleedwater is then aerated and sent to a series of settling
and clarification ponds prior to discharge. This nethoa as
effective for removal of sulfides in the bleedwater.
In treatment type 2 the bleedwater is mixed with sulfurous
acid which is generated by burning liquid sulfur or fron.
hydrogen sulfide originating from the bleedwater. In this
process the soluble sulfides in the bleedwater are converted
to elemental sulfur and oxidized sulfur products in a series
of reaction vessels. Excess acid is then neutralized with
lime. The insoluble sulfui is removed by sedimentation, and
the treated effluent is then sent to a series of basins
prior to discharge. This method is very effective for
removal of sulfides.
SUL7UR (FRASCH - OFFSHORE)
At the one off-shore salt dome sulfur facility currently
operating, the bleedwater is discharged without treatment
through a diffuser system. The treatment technologies ured
bv on-shore salt dons facilities, ponding and bleedwater
treatment facilities are not considered feasible here due to
non-availability of land and space restrictions on a
olatform.
7.9:
-------
FIGURE 58
OJEBDVATER
TYPE
PLANT
LJCU3
OJLT.M
S7WKOR
^r
A. I— 1 '
~L
LIVE '
SkWirr P"~
ASSOftSiM
urn
A
tKomui
1 ,
PEACTWS
I" ,
• T
_j
—i
u
&LUOCC
T^
4
sEmiNs
BASICS
TYPE 2
PLANT
793
-------
PIGMENTS
In the wet processing of iron oxide pigments, water overflow
from the rake thickenei drains to a large settling pond. It
is then recycled to the process with no further treatment.
At facility 3022 the waste water is discharged to a
U1 hectare pOO acres) settling pond which is also used for
etfluent from a batite operation. The di.scKa.rqe from the
large pond is mainly attributable to the barite operations.
LITHIUM
The treatment of the process waste stream consists of
flocculation and gravity settling. The slimes and flotation
tailings are primarily alkali aluminum silicates and quartz.
A flocculating agent is added and the slurry ±3 pumped to
settling ponds, end the major part of the overflow is
returned to the facility for re-use. The mine water which
is pumped intermittently is both discharged and recycled to
the process water circuit. An additional waste stream which
is unique to facility U009 arises from the scrubbing circuit
of the low-iron process which removes certain impurities
from the spodumene concentrate product. This stream is
currently being impounded for future treatment prior to
being discharged.
For facility «009 the point of measurement of the discharge
encompasses significant flow from two streams which pass
through tne property and serve as an intake water source to
the facility. The significant dilution by stream water
makes it isrpossiole to assess the effluent quality directly.
Effluent data are as fellows:
Facility UPOJ1 Facility UQ09
j^ine Mill Mine Mill
Flow I/day 0.57 7.9
0.15 2.088
pH 6.1-1.9 1.0-l.S
TSS, mg/1 T* Ml 256 336
667
10 13 1
-------
seepage from the callings dam and
tailings pond during heavy rainfall.
aa overflow from the
The nine water at mine 4001 was observed by the project
officer to be very muddy, possibly requiring use of
flocculants.
BENTONITE
There is no discharge of any waste water from bentonlte
operations. The solid overburden removsd to uncover the
bentonite deposit is returned to mined-out pits fcr land
disposal and eventual land reclamation. Dust collected fro*
processing operations ie either returned to storage bine aa
product or it is land-dumped. Mine dewatering was not
found.
FIRE CLA*
There is no discharge of process waste waters. Mine puwpout
is discharged either after settling or with no treatment.
The effluent cuality of nine pumpout at a few nines are as
follows:
Mine
3083
3084
3087
3300
3301
3302
3303
3307
3308
3309
3310
3332
3333
3334
Treatment
Pond
Lime & Pond
lime, combined
with other
waste streams
None
None
None
None
None
Pond
Pond
lone
None
None
None
pH
7.25
6.5
U.O
6.0-6.9
6.9
8.3
7.0
9.2
5.0
4.2
3.0
—
--
--
T5S
mg/1
3
26.4,62
45
4
2
30
1
5
16
16
30
10
45
Total
Fe
mg/1
20
60
— —
— —
~
295
-------
3335 None ~ 27,1«4«
3336 None — 37
3337 None — 15
3338 None 2.6-3.0 253-392 530-1900
ATTAPULGITE
Bearing cooling water at facility 3060 is discharged with no
treatment while water used in pugging and kiln cooling is
evaporated in the process. Dusts and fines are generated
from drying and screening operations at facility 3060. This
slurried waste is sent to worked-out pits which serve as
settling ponds. In the last year the ponds have been
enlarged and modified to allow for complete recycle of this
waste water. The ponds have not yet totally filled however,
and the company anticipates no problems. There is no
discharge at this time of process water. At facility 3C58
waste is generated from screening operations as fines which
until presently were slurried and pumped to a settling pond.
Witli the installation of new reconstituting equipment these
fines are recycled and there is no discharge of process
water. The settling pond, h.^ever, is maintained in event
of breakdown or the excessive generation of fines. Facility
3088 also has installed recycle ponds recently and
anticipates no trcuL-le. Facility 3089 uses a dry iricro-
pulsair system for air pollution control, therefore there is
no discharge of process water. According to the company
they are within state air pollution requirements.
Mine punpout at facilities 3060 and 3058 is discharged
without treatment. Facility 3009 uses two settling ponds in
series to treat nine pimpout, however they do not attempt to
treat wet ueather mine puir.pout. Data of the mine dcwatering
discharges follow.
Mine £H TfS. mq/1
3058 6.8 17
3060 7.5 19
MONTMORILLCNITE
Facilities 3059 and 3073 recycle essentially 100 percent of
the scrubber water, while facility 3072 recycles only about
70 percent. Scrubber ---.iter nust be kept neutral because
sulfate values in the clay become concentrated, making cne
water* acidic and ccrr^nve. Facilities 305-9 and 3073 "sc
ammonia to neutralize recycle scrubber water, forming
ammonium sulfate. Facility 3072 us-»s .'ime (Ca (OH) 2) , which
precipitates as cafjj.iir. sulfate in the settling pond. To
296
-------
keep the scrubber recycle system working, some water
containing a build-up of calcium sulfate is discharged to a
nearby creek. However, facility 3072 intends to recycle all
scrubber water by mid-1975. Mine pumpout can present a
greater problem for montmoriilonite producers than for
ottapulgite producers, due to the very slow settling rate of
some of the suspended clay. Accumulated rain and -ground
water is pumped to abandoned pits for settling to the extent
possible and is then discharged. At facility 3073 the pit
water is used as makeup for the scrubber water.
Data on mine dewatering follows.
Mine 2S TSS,mg/l
3059 4.5-5.5 200-100
3323 3.8-4.4 2 4.33 6.3 6.3
6.7 889 9.5
10.3 12.33 16 13
24 33 42 52
258
3324 6-9 25.7 26 30 37
53 137 436
3325 7-0 0.67 1.67 2 3
4.33 5.5 0 11
12 18 21.3 60
The high value of 258 mg/1 TSS at mine 3323 occurred during
a 6.6 cm (2.6 in) rainfall. However, the nine was not b^in-g
dewatered.
In Juno 1975, the representatives of a flccculant
manufacturer conducted a stud/ of the mine dewatering
quality at plant 3059. By use of a flocculant, TSS was
reduced from 285 to 15 mg/1 and turbidity from 580" to 11
JTO. The flocculant manufacturer's representatives were
confident that a full scale system would also produce
significant reduction of TSS. Flocculation tests were also
conducted at mine 332U. with a cationic polyelectrolyts 50
mg/1 TSS was achieved. with supplemental alum 10 mg/1 TSS
was achieved.
-------
KAOLIN (DAY)
The solid waste generated as land-disposed on-aite. There
is no process effluent discharged.
KAOLIN (WET)
The facilities treat the process waste water ponds with lime
to adjust pH and remove excesd zinc which is used as a
bleaching agent. This treatment effects a 99.BX removal of
zinc, 99.3% removal of suspended solids, and 80% removal of
dissolved solids. These facilities are considering the use
of sodium hydrosulfite as bleach to eliminate the zinc
waste. Facilities with large ponds and a high freeboard
have the capability of discontinuing discharge for one or
•ore days to allow unusually high turbidities to decrease
before resisting a discharge.
Solid wastes generated in kaolin mining and wet processing
are land-disposed with overburden being returned to
mined-out pita, and dust, fines, and other solids to
settling ponds.
Haste waters are in all cases sent to ponds where the solids
settle out and the water is discharged after lime treatment.
A statistical analysis was performed on five Georgia Xaolin
treatment systens. Based on a 99 percent confidence level
of the best fitting distribution (normal and logarithmic
normal) the following turLidities were achieved.
Facility
302«
3025
3314
3315{1|
3315(2)
long term
average
26.4
21.5
SB.2
32.9
Turbidity, JTO
daily
maximum
08.2
83
202
140
76.7
or NTO
monthly
average
maximum
-------
aquatic growth in part was contributing to the suspended
solids. This is expected, since organic reagents are used
in kaolin processing and the treatment ponds are situated in
swampy areas having an abundance of plant growth. The
second point is that only about one-half of the turbidity
was removed after waste water samples were filtered in the
determination of TSS. This indicated that the kaolin and
possibly the volatile solids are sub-micron in size and are
not necessarily measured by TSS alone.
KAOLIN (MINE DEWATERING)
Open pit mining of kaolin does not utilize any water.
However, when rainwater and ground water accumulate in the
pits it must be pumped out and discharged, usually this
purnpout is discharged without treatment, but, in at least
one case, pH adjustment is necessary prior to discharge.
The following mine drainage concentrations were measured.
Mine TSS, mg/1 JTU
307U 10
30P.O 10
3081 10
3311 22
3312 7. H
3313 U1
J3i6 95.2* «1.S*
3317 232*
3310 79.5*
*dai.iy maximum achieved in 99 percent of samples
Mine 3316, 3317 and 3318 blunge the ore at the mine site and
add a dispersant such as sodium tripolyphosphate to the
slurry to facilitate pumping the ore to the process plant.
It is this dispersant that causes the relatively high
values.
BALL CLAY
Mine puflipout is discharged either after settling in a pond
or sump or without any treatment. Data are as follows:
299
-------
3326
3327
3328
3329
3330
3331
5664
TSS, mq/l
0 23143
0 312
0
53
15 200
146
The extreme variability of the effluent quality is due to
the presence of colloidal clays, as observed by the project
officer after a substantial rainfall.
Scrubber water at these facilities is sent to settling
ponds. In addition, facilities 5684 and 5689 treat the
scrubber water with a flocculating agent which improves
settling of suspended solids in the pond. Facility 5689 i.*s
three noitds oi a total of 1.0 hectare (2.b acres) area.
The amounts of process wastes discharged by these facilities
are calculated to be:
discharge,
1/kkcj OT product
facility (gal/ton)
56RU
5665
88 (21)
1.080 (260)
TSS. kq/kkq
of Croquet
Qb/1000 ib)
0.OOOU
0.43
5089
83U (1.030)
0.17
TSS
mq/1
400
2970
82
1016
1054
10046
49
107
4
TDS
mq/1
240
1C "7
236
511
433
3216
153
164
273
There are two significant types of operations in ball clay
manufacture insofar as water use is concerned: those having
wet scrubbers, which have a waste water discharge, and those
without wet scrcnbers, which have no process waste water.
There is a discrepancy in discharge flow rates since not all
the .product ion line? in each facility have wer. scrubbers.
Baghouses are also employed by this industry.
300
-------
FELDSPAR (FLOTATION)
Treatment at three facilities (305«, 3065, 30S8) consists of
pumping combined facility effluents into clarifiera, with
polymer added to aid in flocculation. Both polymer and lime
are added at one facility (3065) . At the other two
facilities, (3026, 3067) there are two settling ponds in
series, with one facility adding alum (3026).
Measurements by EPA's contractor on the performance of the
treatment systen at facility 3026, consisting of two ponds
in series and alum treatment, showed the following
reductions in concentration (mg/1):
TSS Fluoride
waste water ir.to systen 3,790 14
discharge front system 21 1*3
The process water effluents after treatment at these five
facilities have the following quality characteristics:
Fluoride
facility £H mq/1 mq/1
3026 6.5-6.8
3050 6.S
3065 10.3*
3067 7.5-fi.O
306S 7-8
Facility 3065 adds line to the treatment, which accounts for
the higher than average p3.
The averaae amounts of the suspended solids and fluoride
pollutants present in these waste effluent streams
calculated fro* the above values are given in tlie following
table together witn the relative effluent flow?.
301
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ore processed basis
flow, TSS, fluoride,
1/khg kg/Kkq kg/kko
facility (gal/ton) (lo/lOOO Ib) (lb/1000 Ibl
3026 14,600 0.31 0.12
(3,500)
3054 12,500 0.56 0.1B
(3,000)
3065 11,000 1.1 0.25
(2,eao)
3067 6,500 0.23 0.22
(1.560)
3068 18,600 0.7-2.8 0.6
The higher than average suspended solids content of the
effluents frcm 1065 and 3C68 is caused by a froth carrying
mjca through the thickerners to the discharges. Facility
3026 uses alun to coagulate suspended solids, which may be
the cause of the reduction in fluoride. Alum has been found
in municipal water treatment studies to reduce fluoride by
binding it into the sediment. The effectiveness of the
treatment at 3026 to reduce suspended solids is comparable
to that at facilities 3054 and 3067.
The treatment at facility 3054 results in little or no
reduction of fluoride, but. good reduction of suspended
901ids. nothing Known about this treatment system would
lead to an expectation of fluoride reduction.
The treatment at facility 3067 apparently accomplishes no
reduction of fluoride, but its suspended solids discharge is
significantly lower than average in both amount and
concentration.
Solid wastes are transported back to the mines as reclaiming
fill* although these waste:', are sometimes allowed to
accumulate at the facility £«.r long periods before removal.
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FELDSPAR (NON-FLOTATION)
Haste water is spilled on the ground (Facility 3032) or is
evaporated during crushing and milling operations (Facility
306«1. There is no waste water treatment at either
facility, since there is no discharge.
XYAN1TE
Process water used in the several beneficiation steps IB
sent to settling ponds from which clear water is recycled to
the process. There is total recycle of the process water
with no loss through pond seepage.
There is normally no discharge of process water from
facility 3015. Tne only time pond overflow has occurred was
after an unusually heavy rainfall. Facility 3028 has
occasional pond overflow, usually occurring in October and
November.
The solid waste generated in tcyanite processing is
land-disposed after removal fror. the settling ponds. An
analysis of pond water at facility 3015 showed low values
for BODS (2 mg/l) and oil and grease (4 mg/1). Total
suspended solids w».re 11 mg/1 and total metals 3.9 mg/1.
with iron being the principal metal.
MAJNESZTE
The waste stream at the one nagnesite facility is the
underflow of the tailings thickener which contains large
quantities of solid wastes. Mafce-up water is added to
transport these wastes to the tailings pond. The estimated
area of this pond is 15 hectares (37 acres). The estimated
evaporation at this area is 21 cn/yr <5« in/yr) and the
annual rainfall is 2.« cm/yr (6 in/yr!. The waste water is
lost about 00 percent by evaporation and about 60 percent by
percolation. NO discharge from the mill is visible . in any
of the small was'rss in the vicinity of the tailings pond,
and also, no green vegetative patches, that would indicate
the presence of near surface run-offs, were visible. The
tailings pond is located at the upper end of an alluvial
fan. 'This material is both coarse and angular and has a
rapid percolation r.ite. This could account for the lack of
run-off.
SHALE AND COMMON CLAY
There is no wabte water treatment necessary Cor shale and
common clay minir.q and processing since there is no process
water used. unrn there is rainfall or ground water
accumulation, t^.xa water is generally pumped out and
discharged to abenJuned pits or streams.
APZ.XTE
303
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Facility 3020 discharges effluent arising from wet scrubber
operations to a creek after allowing settling of suspended
solids in a series of ponds. Aplite clays represent a
settling problem in that a portion of the clays settles out
rapidly but another portion stays in suspension for a long
time, imparting a milky appearance to the effluent. The
occasional nine pumpout due to rainfall is discharged
without treatment.
Facility 3016 recycles water from the settling ponds to th«
process with only infrequent discharge to 4 nearby river
when pond levels become excessive (every 2 to 3 years).
This discharge is state regulated only on suspended solids
at 6«9 mg/1 average, and 1000 nsg/l for any one day. Actual
settling pond water analyses have not been made. When this
occurs, the pond is treated with alum to lower suspended
solids levels in the discharge. Likewise, when suspended
solids levels are excessive for recycle purposes, the pond
is also treated with alum.
The solid wastes generated in these processes are
land-disposed, either in ponds or as land-fill, with iron
bearing sands being sold as beach sand.
TALC MINERALS
(LOG WASHING AND WET SCREENING)
The waste streams emanating from the washing operations are
sent to settling ponds. The ponds are dried by evaporation
and seepage. In facility 2035, when the ponds are filler,
with solids, thev are harvested for repioceoFing into
saleable products. There is no discharge from these
properties.
TALC (MINE DEWATERING)
Underground mine workings intercept numerous ground water
sources. The water from each underground mine is directed
through ditches and culverts to sumps at each wine level.
The sumps serve as sedimentation basins and seals for
centrifugal pumps which discharge this water to upper level
sumps or to the surface. In some mines, * small portion of
the pump discharge is diverted for use as drill wash water
and pump seal water; the renainder is discharged into a
receiving waterway. The disposition and quantities of mine
discharges are given ^s follows:
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2037
2038
7.8
8.1
2039 7.0-7.8 1, 3
5it5,OUO
(1«4,000)
878,000
(232,000)
1,920,000
(507,000)
1,900,000
(507,000)
2040
7.2-8.5 15
2C41 8.7
2042 7.6
2043
7.6
(300,000)
28 49,200
(13,000)
9 496,000
(131,000)
5 76,000
(20,000)
TALC (FLOTATION AND HKS)
Disposition
Puirped to a
swamp
Pumped to a
swamp
Pumped to a
swamp
Open ditch
Settling basin
than to a brook
Settling basin
then to a brook
Settling
then to a brook.
Settling fcasir.
then to a river
At facility 2031, the cill tailings are punped into one oC
the three available setcling ponds. The overflow trom these
settling ponds enters by gravity into a common clarification
pond. There is a discharge trcia this clorifxcation pond.
The tailings rem«-Jn in the settling ponds and are dried by
natural evaporation and seepage.
At facility 2032, the Kill tailings are pumped uphill
through 3000 feet of pipe to a pond 34,000,000 liters
(9,000,000 gal) in capacity for gravity settling. The
overflow from this por.a is treated in a series of four
settling lagoons. Approximately 40 percent of the last
lagoon overflow is sent back to the mill and the remainder
is discharged to a brook near the property.
In facility 2033 the filtrate with a pH of 3.5-4.0, the
flotation tailings w^h a pH of 10-10.5 and the primary
thickener overflow are con-bined, and tne resulting stream,
having a pH of 4.5-5.5, is sent to a small sump in the
facility for treating. The effluent pH is adjusted by lisie
addition to a 6.5-/.S level prior to Discharge into the
settling pond. The lire is added by metered pumping and the
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pH is controlled manually. The effluent from the treating
sump is routed to one end of a "U" shaped primary settling
pond and is discharged into a secondary or back-up pond.
The total active pond area is about O.B hectare (2 acres).
The clarification pond occupies about 0.3 hectare
(0.75 acre). The back-up pond (clarification pond)
discharges to an open ditch running into a nearby creek.
The non-contact ceo ling water in facilities 2031 and 2033 is
discharged without treatment. Facility 2044 uses a '.6
hectare (U acres) settling pond to treat the waste water;
the overflow from this pond is discharged. It has been
estimated that the present settling pond will be filled
within two years' time. This company has leased a new piece
of property for the creation of a future pond.
As all process water at facility 2031 is impounded and lost
by evaporation, there is no process water effluent out of
this property. Facility 2035 a washing facility also has no
discharge.
At facilities 2032, 2033, and 2044, the effluent consists of
the overflow from their clarification or settling ponds.
The significant constituents in these streams are reported
to be as follows:
Waste Material
Facility Number _ 2032 __ 2033 _ 2Qm*
pa 7.2-8.5 5.6 7.0
TSS, mg/1 <20(2o)* 80 (8)* 100
^Contractor verification
The average amounts of TSS discharged in these effluents
were calculated from the above data to be:
facility _ kq/kkg (lb/1000 lb)
product
2032 <0.34
2033 0.29
2044 0.50
GARNET
Facility 3037 recycles untreated pit water used in screening
operations* and sends water from jigging operations to a
settling pond before discharge. Waste water from flotation
underflow at facility 3071 is first treated with caustic to
stabilize the fll which was acidified from flotation
reagents. Then the underflow is sent to a series of
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tailings ponds. The solid? settle out into the ponds and
the final effluent is discharged. Water from the dewatering
screen is recycled to the heavy media facility. Effluent
arising from flotation underflow at facility 3071 is
discharged. The pH is maintained at 7. The suspended
solids content averaged 25 ng/1.
DIATOMITE
All waste water generated in diatomite preparation at
facility 5500 is evaporated. There is no process water,
cooling, or mine pumpoat discharge. Facilities 550U and
5505 send waste water to settling ponds with water being
recycled to the process at facility 5505 and evaporated and
percolated to ground water at facility 5504. But in late
197U a pump is being installed to enable facility 550H to
decant and recycle the water from the pond to the process.
Thus, all of these diatomite operations have no discharge of
any waste water.
The oversize fraction and dust fines waste is land-dumped
on-site at facility 5500. The solids content of this
land-disposed waste is silica (diatomite) in the amount of
about 300,000 ng/1. The waste slurries from facilities 550U
and 5505 consisting of scruaber fines and dust are land-
disposed with the solids settling into ponds. The solids
content of these slurries is 2U,000 mg/1 for facility 5505
and 1U6,000 mg/1 for facility 550U.
GRAPHITE
The waste streams associated with the operation are
flotation tailings and seepage water. The tailings slurry
at about 20 percent solids and at a near neutral pH
(adjustment made for optimum flotation) is discharged to a
partially lined 8 hectare (20 acre) settling pond. The
solids settle rapidly and the overflow is discharged. The
seepage water from the tailings pond, mine and extraneous
surface waters are collected through the use of an extensive
network of ditches, dams and sumps. The collected waste
waters ore pumped to a treatment facility where lime is
added to neutralize the acidity and precipitate iron. The
neutralized water is pur.ped to the tailings pond where the
iron floe is deposited. The acid condition of the pond
seepage results from the extended contact of water with the
tailings which dissolve some part of the contained iron
pyrites.
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It is discharged into a stream that flows into the lake that
serves as the itotake water source for the facility. The
effluent composition falls within the limits established by
the Texas state Hater Quality Board for the following
parameters: flow; pH; total suspended solids; volatile
solids; BOD; COD; manganese and iron. Facility measurements
compared to the state limitations are:
Flow I/day
(gal/day)
total solids
TSS
Volatile
Solids
Mn
Total Fe
BOD
COD
pH
facility
average
mq/1
750
10
1
0.1
0.1
9
20
7.3-8.5
2U hr.
maximum
mq/1
1,160,000
(300,000)
1600
20
10
0.5
2
15
20
6.8
State Standards
monthly
average
mq/1
1,820,000
(480,000)
10
0.2
10
15
7.5
This facili.y has no problem meeting this requirement
because of a unique situation where the large volume of
tailings entering the pond assists the settling of suspended
solids from the acid mine drainage treatment more than that
normally expected from a well designed pond.
JADE
Waste waters generated from the wire saw, sanding, and
polishing operations are sent to settling tanks where the
tailings settle out, and the water is discharged onto the
lawn where it evaporates and/or seeps into the ground.
Solid wastes in the form of tailings which collect in
settling tanks are eventually land-disposed as fill.
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NOVACULITE
Water from the scrubber is sent to a settling tank and clear
water is recycled to the scrubber. Cooling water is
discharged onto the lawn with no treatir.unt.
PRETREATMENT TECHNOLOGY
Most minerals operations have waste water containing only
suspended solids. Suspended solids is a compatible
pollution parameter for publicly-owned treatment works.
However, most of these mining and processing operations are
located in isolated regions and have no access to these
treatment facilities. No instances of discharge to
publicly-owned treatment facilities were found in the
industry. In the relatively few instances where dissolved
materials are a problem, pH control and some reduction of
hazardous constituents such as fluoride would be required.
Lime treatment is usually sufficient to accomplish this.
Sulfides would require air oxidation or other chemical
treatment.
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