Acid mine drainage (AMD) has long been a significant environmental problem resulting from the microbial oxidation of iron pyrite in the presence of water and air. This Article describes a method to produce acicular goethite particles (AGNs) from AMD and their application as a catalyst for the combustion of volatile organic compounds. Ferric ions were recovered from AMD as AGNs with relatively high purity via an oxidation-selective precipitation process during AMD treatment. Hematite materials (PNs) were produced when the AGNs were treated at 450 degrees C. These materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, and N-2 adsorption/desorption. The PNs were tested as a combustion catalyst and shown to be useful for the oxidation of toluene. AGNs impregnated with manganese were used to prepare the PN_Mn5 catalyst. The catalysts selectively produced CO2 and water, representing a good alternative to commercially available catalysts in terms of origin and availability.