The removal of pollutants from acid mine drainage using metallurgical by-product slags was studied in laboratory scale. Metallurgical by-product furnace slags were used as sorbents for metal ions and dispersed air column flotation was employed for the solid/liquid separation of the loaded slags. Batch sorption/pH/kinetic studies were conducted using simulated Cu and Pb bearing wastewater. The calcium glass type of slags had high surface area and porosity. Promising result was succeeded from the combined process of slag sorption/flotation on the treatment of an acid mine drainage from a South African gold mine. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.