Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of treating mine water to remove ferric hydroxide comprises:combining acidic mine water with a predetermined amount of a fatty oil to produce a mixture;agitating the mixture for a first predetermined period of time to agglomerate solid ferric hydroxide and oil;allowing the agitated mixture to settle within a vessel for a second predetermined period of time to cause agglomerated ferric hydroxide and oil to rise to an upper level of the agitated mixture to provide a settled mixture of agglomerated hydroxide and oil floating atop remaining liquid therebelow; andseparating the agglomerated ferric hydroxide and oil at the upper level of the settled mixture from the remaining liquid.The process can also be conducted under such conditions that most all of the zinc follows the ferric hydroxide into the agglomerate phase.