The availability of second generation feedstocks for the treatment of acid mine drainage and to improve South Africa's bio-based economy

South Africa has a wide range of mining activities making mineral resources important economic commodities. However, the industry is responsible for several environmental impacts; one of which is acid mine drainage (AMD). Despite several years of research, attempts to prevent AMD generation have proven to be difficult. Therefore, treatment of the resulting drainage has been common practice over the years. One of the recommended treatment methods is the use of second generation feedstocks (lignocellulosic biomass). This biomass is also acknowledged to be an important feedstock for bio-refineries as it is abundant, has a high carbon content and is available at minimal cost. It can also potentially be converted to fermentable sugars (e.g. glucose) through different treatment steps, which could further yield other valuable commodities (cellulase, poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) and penicillin V). It is estimated by a generic flowsheet model that 7 tons of grass biomass can produce 1400 kg of glucose which can subsequently produce 205 kg, 438 kg and 270 kg of cellulase, PHB and Penicillin V, respectively. In this paper we investigate the feasibility of grass as feedstock for AMD treatment and the subsequent conversion of this acid pre-treated grass into valuable bio-products. [Display omitted] •South Africa has the potential to use invasive species as biomass feedstock.•AMD can be used as resource for pre-treatment of 2nd generation biofuel feedstocks.•Hydrolysed lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to produce fermentable sugars.•Resulting biomass could also be suitable for commodity products.•This could be a cost effective way to improve water quality and produce products.