Innovative Management of Groundwater Resources in Europe - Training and RTD Coordination (IMAGE-TRAIN) is an initiative fundet by the European Union's Research Directorate General and has the ambition to improve cooperation and interaction between ongoing research projects in the field of soil and groundwater contamination and to communicate new technology achievements to young scientists by mean of training courses. The 2nd IMAGE-TRAIN Advanced Study Course was held in Pecs, Hungary from June 23 to 27, 2003 and focused on mine water management. The choice of the venue was closely linked to the topic. Close to Pecs one of Europe's largest uranium mines operated between 1958 and 1997. At the end of the last millenium uranium mining practically vanished from Europe due to the enormous break down of the world market price. The closure of the uranium mining and processing sites near Pecs resulted in an enormous economic loss (2000 people lost their job) and an incredible environemental burden for the region. At the uranium ore processing site near Pecs uranium ore was processed by conventional milling technologies. Uranium ore tailing were deposited in ponds constructed withour or with very poos sealing. Process water from these ponds partly seeped through the underground causing a huge chemical contamination of groundwater. Main polluting components were above all magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride. The remediation of the tailing ponds was urgently needed to solve the stabilisation of the ponds on the one hand and to restore the groundwater quality on the other hand. Different options were chosen to handle the problem: a pump and treat system with an on-site groundwater station, surface stabilisation of the tailing ponds with geo-material, multi layer covering and revegetation and a complex drainage and groundwater containment system. Furthermore, a pilot reactive barrier was installed to prevent the migration of uranium from contaminated groundwater. Along the course the measures undertaken by Mecsekerc Rt. were comprehensively presented in theory as well as in practice along a one-day excursion. Two research projects of the 5th EU framework Programme for RTD were involved in the organisation of this course: PEREBAR - Long-Term Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers used for the Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater. The Mecsekerc site functioned as a case study along this research project. The development of a tailored reactive barrier for uranium contaminated groundwater was a central part of the research undertaken. PIRAMID - Passive In Site Remediation of Acidic Mine and Industrial Drainage. Building on already existing research capacity in this area the key aim of the PIRAMID projet was to produce comprehensive engineering guidelines for the passive remediation of acidic and/or mealliferous mine drainage and similar wastewaters. The key purpose of this course was to provide young scientists and engineers with up-to-date information of current research activities in the field of minewater management. The course was attended by 35 participants from 16 different European countries. The share of women was 35% and the averagy age was 31 years. Participants were selected according to selection criteria defined by the project's co-ordination team (i.e. university degree in a thematically related field, added value for current work). The following report includes review papers of the key-note lectures. With this course we intended to inspire young scientists and engineers in their future work and to support the strengthening process of the European research community regarding management of soil and groundwater resources.
