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Groundwater Chemistry, Achibo-Sombo Underground Coal Mine, Southwestern Ethiopia


Mulata Haftu Medhin
Bheemalingeswara Konka

Abstract

Achibo-Sombo mine is the first underground coal mine in Ethiopia and is in operation for more than a decade. It is a small-scale, semi-mechanized, and mined using room and pillar method. Most of the mining operations are being carried out manually. The coal deposit is inter-trappean, sandwiched between basaltic flows. Seepage is a common problem in the mine. Its intensity varies in three openings and is being drained out by gravity. A preliminary study was conducted to assess the quality of water in the mine. Ten water samples collected randomly from three openings were analysed for major anions using standard colorimetric methods and elemental concentrations using ICP-MS. The results indicate that the concentrations for sulphur, manganese, and iron is relatively higher. The concentration of toxic elements like Cd, As, Hg, and Se is relatively low except Zn. Increased amounts of sulphate in water indicate the sulfides as the source and their chemical breakdown. The relatively higher amount of dissolved sulfur is expected to produce acid mine drainage with time.


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eISSN: 2220-184X
print ISSN: 2073-073X