Low-Cost and Halal-Inspired Green Chemistry Approach for Acid Mine Drainage Neutralization in Coal Mining
Keywords:
Acid mine drainage, Green chemistry, Sustainable processes, Water quality, Low-cost treatmentAbstract
Article history: Received November 01, 2025 Revised November 07, 2025 Accepted December 08, 2025 Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most critical environmental challenges associated with coal mining, characterized by low pH and elevated metal concentrations. This study aimed to develop an efficient and sustainable AMD treatment system at Abimanyu Pit, PT Putra Muba Coal, South Sumatra, using a combination of aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) as a coagulant and calcium oxide (CaO) as a pH adjuster. Field sampling and laboratory jar-test experiments were conducted to determine the optimal reagent dosages. The initial pH of AMD was 3.53, confirming highly acidic conditions typical of pyritic oxidation. The jar-test results showed that a dosage of 0.2 g per 500 mL of each reagent raised the pH to 6.6 and reduced total suspended solids to negligible levels, meeting Indonesian environmental standards (Kepmen LH No. 113/2003). Field-scale verification at a discharge rate of 320,400 L/h confirmed that 320 kg of aluminum sulfate and 320 kg of calcium oxide per day maintained effluent pH between 6.0 and 8.0. The optimized process effectively neutralized AMD while minimizing chemical waste and cost. This approach aligns with green chemistry principles and sustainable halal environmental management, emphasizing efficiency, reduced waste, and environmental protection. The findings provide a practical and replicable framework for AMD mitigation in Indonesian coal mining operations.References
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