Acid mine drainage geochemistry and environmental effects of abandoned mines around yukarimaden village (Artvin, Turkey)

Artvin is one of the most important areas in Eastern Black Sea metallogenetic belt. A dacitic intrusion around Yukarımaden (Artvin) has many hydrothermal Cu-Pb-Zn mineralisations. Mining activities had been operated by different companies since 14th century to 1920's. There are many abandoned galleries in study area. As a result of mining operations, huge amounts of tailings that consist small particles and have high porosity are cumulated and being exposed to oxygen and surface waters. Sediment and water samples are collected from Sakart, Bilizor and Maden streams and analysed. Test results show that Sakart dere has high metal content, high electrical cunductivity and low pH.