Methods of environmental impact assessment for mine waters have focused
to date on quantifying existing impacts via chemical, ecological, and
visual characterization. In terms of chemical variables, extensive research
has focused on metal fate in streams receiving acid mine drainage (e.g.,
[17–19]. Simultaneously, computer modeling techniques have been developed
to simulate the fate of metals and the impact of mine water discharges
in receiving watercourses (e.g., [20–22]). Such computer models have not
yet been refined sufficiently to allow using the results of these chemical
simulations for predicting ecological and aesthetic impacts, but they may
nevertheless constitute a useful tool in mine water EIA in some instances.