PT DAMANKA PRIMA TECHNICAL STUDY OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE

PT Geo Labora Expert team past project served as a mining technical consultant supporting PT Damanka Prima in analyzing and controlling the potential formation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) across the coal mining operations. Through scientific assessment and engineering-based approaches, PT Geo Labora Indonesia ensured that mining activities were carried out in accordance with Good Mining Practice principles and in compliance with the Ministerial Regulation of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 1827/2018 regarding mandatory mine water management studies. Within this project, the company was responsible for providing comprehensive technical services—from preliminary data acquisition to the development of field-ready implementation strategies. The assignment began with the collection, validation, and interpretation of geological, hydrological, and hydrogeological data from the operational area of PT Damanka Prima. PT Geo Labora Indonesia then conducted laboratory preparation and analyses of rock samples to determine their geochemical characteristics, including paste pH, Net Acid Generation (NAG), Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC), and Total Sulfur. The results were used to identify and classify rock materials into categories of Potentially Acid Forming (PAF) and Non-Acid Forming (NAF), which became a fundamental basis for implementing AMD control within the mining operation.
Following the geochemical characterization, Expert team developed a 3D geological model to map the spatial distribution of PAF and NAF lithologies within the mining blocks and to estimate the volumetric proportions of each category. This modeling provided essential insight for overburden placement planning to ensure that acid-forming materials would not be mixed with non-acid-forming materials. Additionally, it enabled predictive planning of long-term AMD risks that could impact both the environment and mining continuity.
At the final stage of the assignment, Expert team formulated a set of actionable technical recommendations for direct implementation by the mine operator. These recommendations included procedures for handling PAF and NAF materials, layered backfilling and capping systems, the application of cover materials, the selection of active and passive mine water treatment technologies, and the establishment of continuous monitoring protocols. This approach not only mitigated environmental impacts but also ensured that mining activities could proceed productively, safely, and sustainably throughout the life of the mine.

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