Sulfide Mining: What is Acid Mine Drainage?

Essentially, when rain, snowmelt and other precipitation runs off the waste from iron mining, it creates rust. No big deal.

When water runs off the waste from sulfide mining, it makes sulfuric acid.

The acid corrodes the rock and leaches out toxic metals. The substance, referred to as Acid Mine Drainage, pollutes lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater. It kills fish or makes them inedible, it makes water dangerous to drink, and it wipes out entire ecosystems.

Watch this one minute video for a simple explanation of the process that creates acid mine drainage: