A BMP System for a Clay Mining Facility in Taiwan

The present paper describes the planning and implementation of a best management practice (BMP) system for a clay mining facility in Northern Taiwan. The mining factory is a 32-hectare operation located next to the Masu River, whose watershed is still relatively undeveloped except for the clay mine and some chicken and hog farms. Processed water and stormwater runoff from the mining areas have been found to cause sediment and acidity problems for the Masu River. The Water and Environment Research Center (WERC), working with Taiwan Normal University, initiated a study in 2002 on using BMPs for mitigating the impact of the clay mining operation on the Masu River water quality. The long-term BMP plan includes the use of coral rock ditches, swales, dry and wet ponds and constructed wetlands. The first phase BMP plan called for the use of three existing ponds in series, modified to include coral rocks, wetland vegetation and swales, to form a BMP treatment train. Field sampling results show that the ponds are very efficient in removing suspended sediment (more than 90%), but not as efficient in raising the pH level in the effluent water. Further tests are continuing at the present time.