Investigation of arsenic and heavy metals in mine wastes and drainage waters at a Pb-Zn mine at Horzum plateau

Mining is one of the most developed sectors in Turkish industry. Mining wastes and drainage waters are a big concern in terms of environment and public health due to their heavy metals and arsenic content. Mine drainage waters can be transported to surface waters by rivers as well as to groundwater by infiltration and percolation. Mine waste samples and drainage water samples are collected at a currently non-operating Pb-Zn mine at Horzum Plateau in Kozan, Adana. Analysis resuted high concentrations of heavy metal in the vicinity of mining area. Lime addition have been used as a preventetive method for metals and arsenic dissolution from the mine wastes at the mine. However, the concentrations determined suggests some sort of geochemical change in the present conditions of the mine wastes and drainage waters which could result in higher metals in receiving waters.