INAP’s Pit Lake Database: A resource for water-quality prediction for closure planning

Since 2010, the International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP) has been working diligently on the development of its Pit Lake Database. This comprehensive resource now represents a centralized record of water-quality data for pit lakes across a range of orebody types, host rocks and climatic conditions over time. With more than 2,800 water-quality observations from 303 pit lakes and 26 orebody types, the database is a significant achievement. All the information has been collated from publicly available sources, such as publications and government records and can be fully referenced. INAP encourages stakeholders to share additional public water-quality data to further enhance this valuable resource. The Pit Lake Database is a powerful tool for mining companies, consultants and researchers. Its applications include validating pit-lake models using data from similar orebodies and climates, supporting better outcomes for water-quality prediction and advancing sustainable practices in mine water management. INAP is pleased to announce a new study, awarded to Vandenberg Water Science and Mine Lakes Consulting, which aims to provide insights into the data contained within the database and to review modeling and predictive approaches that can be supported by this extensive resource. By leveraging the data, this study seeks to refine predictive methods and enhance understanding of water-quality dynamics in pit lakes. Access to the Pit Lake Database is now available for research and project work. Contact Gilles Tremblay, INAP technical manager, at gilles.tremblay@inap.com.au to request access or to submit published data. ADTI initiatives for 2025-2026 The ADTI is advancing several initiatives during 2025-2026 in support of the mining industry and our specialized discipline of mine waste geochemistry, including: A book on the biogeochemistry of mine waste (in progress), edited by Linda Figueroa and Lisa Kirk. This publication will complement the six previous books written by ADTI members on the characterization, modeling and management of mine waste and mine-impacted water. An initiative to recruit geology students and early-career geologists to the discipline of mine waste management. This has included a survey of SME members to determine how they came to the discipline, preparation of a list of courses that a mine waste geochemist should take, and reaching out to geology schools to determine if they have the recommended courses. An undergraduate field trip to acid rock drainage sites in Colorado, proposed as part of the 2026 Geological Society of America Meeting in Denver. If you are interested in participating in the ADTI, contact Patrick Williamson at pwilliamson@intera.com or Laura Nelson at nelson@smenet.org. In Memoriam: Dave Williams It is with sadness that ADTI shares the loss of one of our key members, as our friend and colleague Dave Williams passed in early July. Williams was actively involved with issues related to acid rock drainage and abandoned mine lands during his more than 40 years with the Bureau of Land Management. Williams served as ADTI Chair and contributed substantially to the development of the SME-ADTI guidebooks on Mitigation of Metal Mining Influenced Water, in addition to mentoring many of the current ADTI members. He was presented with the AIME Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award in 2021 for his work on mine site remediation. His intellect and sense of humor will be greatly missed. n

INAP’s Pit Lake Database: A resource for water-quality prediction for closure planning

Authored by: Patrick Williamson

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