1991-2007
Categories
Trace Metal Removal
- Selenium
- Arsenic
- Thallium
Acid Drainage/Water Treatment
Cyanide Treatment
Mobile toxic constituents
Nitrate
Pit Lakes
Pyrite
Projects
Selenium Treatment
Phosphate Stabilization
SRB at Remote Mine Site
Passive Bio Reactor System
Acid/Heavy Metals work
Nitrate Removal
Biocynide Destruction
Arsenic Removal
Arsenic Oxidation
Microencapsulation
Bioremediation of Pit Lakes
Waterfowl Toxicity
Long-Term Monitoring
Thallium Removal
Underground Mine remed.
Microbial/Geochem Tests
Cyanide Heap Bio Detox
See videos of the technologies
Documents
Final Report: Metals Recycling ...
MWTP EPA Home
MWTP Home
Treatment Home

"If we are to make progress, we need ...new technology to prevent pollution."
Carol Browner, former director U.S. EPA
Mining is essential to life as we know it today. However, significant knowledge and resources are required to mitigate the effects of mine waste on our environment. The Mine Waste Technology Program (MWTP) was committed to developing, evaluating, and deploying technologies that provide innovative solutions to successfully treat and control mine waste cost effectively.
MSE - MWTP History
In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) established the Mine Waste Technology Program to address mine waste issues. MSE managed the overall program, pilot-scale demonstrations, and the transfer of technology to the mining industry, regulatory agencies, and the general public.
The MWTP's mission was to provide sustainable engineering solutions to national environmental issues resulting from the past practices of mining and smelting metallic ores. The program emphasized treatment, technology development, testing, and evaluation at bench- and pilot-scale, and contained an educational component that emphasizes training and technology transfer.
Successful Partnership
The MWTP team-consisting of the EPA, DOE, MSE, Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Montana State University Biofilm Research Center, and the mining industry-was extremely effective in selecting, evaluating, demonstrating, and transferring technologies to industry to prevent or mitigate hard rock mining impacts. And the need was great [and is still great]. Mining wastes generated by active and inactive mining production facilities and the impact on human health and the environment are a growing problem for the Government, private industry, and the general public. Total remediation costs for abandoned mines in the United States were estimated between $2 and $32 billion.