Active Treatment Trials - innovative technology and approaches

In 2011, the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines (WAMM) Programme was set up between the Environment Agency, Defra and the Coal Authority to address pollution of rivers by abandoned metal mines.

Currently, the Coal Authority operates four WAMM mine water treatment schemes, each using a different treatment technology, which are improving water quality in about 20 km of rivers.

In January 2023, Parliament adopted a statutory metal mines target, under the Environment Act 2021, to halve the length of English rivers polluted by harmful metals from abandoned metal mines by 2038.

The Government's Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), published in January 2023, estimated that to achieve this long-term target would likely require around 40 new mine water treatment schemes and a similar number of diffuse interventions.

The EIP set a non-statutory interim target to construct 8 mine water treatment schemes and 20 diffuse interventions by 31 January 2028.

To help deliver the interim and long-term targets, the WAMM Programme is currently investigating active treatment options for mine water discharging from abandoned metal mines by undertaking active treatment trials on up to five sites

This opportunity is now open with a submission deadline of 29 October 2024

All interested parties are advised to visit each site to familiarise themselves with the sites layout, limitations, restrictions and access.

Visits to the premises must be made by appointment only with the Coal Authority

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There is limited parking at each site, interested parties shall only attend at the agreed time provided by the Client.

Wheal Jane, TR3 6EE: 15th October 2024 Bridford, Nr EX6 7AR: 16th October 2024 Cambokeels, Nr DL13 2HW: 1st October 2024 Killhope, DL13 1AR: 30th September 2024 Nent Haggs, CA9 3LE: 3rd October 2024

PPE required:

Should you wish to attend any , or all of the sites please contact peterkobryn@coal.gov.uk who will confirm arrangements

Full and free access to all tender documents is available through the Coal Authority portal InBye

Additional information: The appointed party / parties will design and undertake pilot trials for the active treatment of mine water of up to 5 no. sites to obtain data for optimised treatment process and costs for treating the mine water at full-scale.

The Coal Authority is looking to award a number of packages of work through this tender ranging from 1 no. of the active trials up to 5 no. active trails. These may be at any of the 5 identified sites.

The Coal Authority reserves the right to award to multiple parties depending on the proposals provided during the tender period. Tenders shall be scored on the basis of most advantageous economic tender against criteria to be published in the tender documents.

The appointed party / parties shall design and supply a suitable pilot scale active treatment plant for each of the mine water sources to be treated.

The appointed party / parties shall provide an individual report at the end of each trial detailing the outcomes.