ABSTRACT
As the hardcoal mining areas in Quang Ninh, Vietnam, are located close to the coast of Ha Long Bay mine water management is essential for the protection of coastal water qualities and a sustainable mine operation. Ha Long Bay is a unique seascape of limestone pillars which was recognized as World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. In recent years many mine water treatment facilities were implemented and the overall environmental situation of Ha Long Bay has improved. But like in many other areas mine water management is not static due to continued changes in morphology and technology.
When open pit mines are closed down or move to underground mining the mine water management has to be adapted, too. A newly established research and development project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will analyze the mine water management from a material flow perspective in order to further optimize the use of water, materials and energy not only for the current situation but also for future mining and post-mining situations. Especially the potential for reuse of treated mine water is investigated as the area regularly faces water shortages during dry seasons. The paper introduces the project approach.
