Water Pollution Abatement Programme, The Czech Repuhlic Project 3.4 Environmental Improvement of Areas Polluted by Metal Ore Mining

Abstract

The report discusses water pollution from mining in the Zlate Hory area in tbe Czech Republic. The Zlate Hory Mining District is tbe largest mineral deposit of base metals in this country , and tbe results obtained in this study will be of practical value for tbe solution of similar problems in other parts of tbe Czech Republic. The creeks draining the mining areas (Castle Creek and Golden Creek) are both polluted with heavy meta1s. In Castle creek the concentration is 8000 µg/l zinc and 7oo µg/l copper. Most of the water from polluted areas draining to Golden Creek is treated by liming and sedimentation. The concentration in this creek is still 700 µg/l zinc and 20 µg/l copper downstream the town of Zlate Hory. There is little fish and on1y some pollution-resistant organisms present in this part of the Golden Creek. The report is based both on co-operate field work between NIVA and The Mining University, and on the results from the monitoring programme of Povodi Odry.The results from the work from different institutions are in good accordance. It is recommended that possible pollution sources in the town of Zlate Hory and in other parts of tbe area are given more attention.