Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a structured, practical approach to preventing acid mine drainage (AMD) across Australian mining and extractive operations. It guides sites through design, operation, monitoring and closure controls to protect workers, the environment and your licence to operate from the long‑term risks of acid-generating materials.

Acid mine drainage is one of the most significant long-term risks associated with mining and quarrying in Australia. When sulphide-bearing materials are exposed to oxygen and water, they can generate acidic, metal-laden drainage that threatens worker safety, site infrastructure, downstream ecosystems and community confidence. This Acid Mine Drainage Prevention Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, repeatable method for identifying acid-forming materials, designing appropriate controls, and managing day-to-day activities to prevent AMD from occurring in the first place.

Developed for Australian conditions and regulatory expectations, this SOP helps operations integrate AMD prevention into routine planning, construction, production and closure activities. It addresses critical interfaces between safety, environmental performance and regulatory compliance—covering waste rock and tailings management, surface water diversion, monitoring programs, incident response and contractor controls. By implementing this SOP, your business can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the risk of costly remediation liabilities, avoid regulatory non‑compliance, and safeguard the health and safety of workers and surrounding communities over the full life of the mine.

Key Benefits

• Prevent the generation and uncontrolled release of acidic, metal-laden drainage from mine workings, waste rock and tailings facilities.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS, environmental protection and mining approval conditions related to acid and metalliferous drainage.
• Reduce long-term rehabilitation and remediation liabilities by embedding AMD prevention into planning, design, operations and closure.
• Strengthen risk management by standardising how acid-forming materials are identified, handled, stored and monitored across the site.
• Improve stakeholder confidence by documenting clear, auditable controls that protect workers, water resources and downstream communities.

Who is this for?

• Mine Managers
• Environmental Managers
• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Managers
• Geotechnical Engineers
• Environmental Scientists
• Processing Plant Managers
• Contractor Managers
• Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Advisors

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure of workers to acidic water and elevated dissolved metals
• Corrosion and structural degradation of pipelines, pumps, tanks and containment structures
• Instability and failure risk of waste rock dumps and tailings storage facilities due to AMD processes
• Contamination of surface water and groundwater used for potable or process supply
• Chemical burns and skin/eye irritation from contact with low pH water and sludges
• Inhalation of aerosols or dust containing acid salts and metals
• Environmental harm leading to regulatory sanctions, site shutdowns and reputational damage

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (including AMD/ARD, PAF, NAF, ANCOLD, TSF)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Management, Supervisors, Operators, Contractors, HSE)
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Framework (WHS, environmental and licence conditions)
• 5.0 AMD Risk Identification and Classification of Materials
• 6.0 Planning and Design Controls for AMD Prevention
• 7.0 Operational Controls for Waste Rock and Tailings Management
• 8.0 Water Management and Surface Runoff Diversion Requirements
• 9.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Sampling Procedures (field and laboratory)
• 10.0 Control Measures for Identified AMD Risks (engineering and administrative)
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safe Work Practices Around Acidic Water
• 12.0 Contractor Management and Communication of AMD Requirements
• 13.0 Incident, Spill and Non-Conformance Response for AMD Events
• 14.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Regulatory Notification
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Awareness Requirements
• 16.0 Integration with Mine Closure and Rehabilitation Planning
• 17.0 Document Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• State and Territory Environmental Protection Acts and mining/environmental authority conditions (e.g. EP Act 1994 (Qld), POEO Act 1997 (NSW))
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• AS/NZS ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines
• ANCOLD Guidelines on Tailings Dams and Water Retaining Dams (as applicable)
• Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining – Managing Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (Australian Government, where referenced)