Geochemistry of Mine Tailings from Processing of Siderite–Cu Ores and Mobility of Selected Metals and Metalloids Evaluated by a Pot Leaching Experiment at the Slovinky Impoundment,Eastern Slovakia

This work describes the geochemistry, mineralogy, and mobility of selected metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) and metalloids (As, Sb) in a tailings impoundment in the village of Slovinky (eastern Slovakia). The tailings were covered unevenly by slag from processing of Cu wastes. The tailings and slag both have negligible potential for acid mine drainage formation, thus neutral to alkaline conditions predominate, as shown by high paste pH values of the tailings (7.66–8.83) and neutral drainage, with pH values above 7.50. Weathering of the most abundant primary sulfides (chalcopyrite, pyrite, and arsenopyrite) releases low concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn from the tailings impoundment and in leachates from a 150 days pot leaching experiment. This is explained mostly by formation of secondary ferric oxyhydroxides (as weathering rims on the surfaces of primary sulfides or individual grains),which incorporate 4.09 wt% of As, 17.2 wt% of Cu, 1.20 wt% of Pb, 15.0 wt% of Sb, and 1.59 wt% of Zn. Elevated contents of metals and metalloids in weathering rims formed on slag components like glasses, metallic grains, and residues of blast-furnace lining indicate that secondary solid phases are controlling the mobility of the potentially toxic elements. Generally, with the exception of Cu, no separate secondary compounds of the metals or metalloids were found. The potentially toxic elements are mainly immobilized by ferric oxyhydroxides and other iron mineral phases in the tailings impoundment.     

The Combined Impact of Mine Drainage in the Ankobra River Basin,SW Ghana

This study assessed the combined effects of seven large-scale gold mines, one manganese mine, and scattered artisanal gold mining sites on the quality of water in the Ankobra Basin in a geologically complex terrain. Water samples from streams, boreholes, hand dug wells, and mine spoil were analysed. Scatter plots of trends among measured parameters were used to assess drainage quality and differential impacts. Drainage quality exhibits wide seasonal and spatial variations; the geology strongly influences the water chemistry. Areas with low pH (<5.5), and high sulphate ions and trace ions are suggestive of acid mine drainage while sites with high pH (>7.5), HCO₃ ⁻, subdued SO₄ ²⁻, and high trace ions are suggestive of sites where acid neutralization is effective. High metal sources are largely confined to mining operations in the Birimian formation with ores containing more than 2% sulphides. However, restricted high metal regimes are observed in drainage in the Tarkwaian formation associated with scatted sulphide-bearing dolerite dykes in the operational areas of the Tarkwa and Damang mines. Earlier studies disputed sulphides in the Tarkwaian formation until recently, when acid-generating dykes were discovered in operating pits. The most degraded waters emanate from the Prestea and Iduapriem mines, and to a lesser extent, the Nsuta mine sites, all mining Birimian rocks. The Tarkwa mine showed minimal metal loading. Zn, Cu, Ni, As, SO₄, pH, and specific conductance are essential and adequate parameters in determining if acid drainage is taking place at these sites, and are recommended for routine mine environmental monitoring.     

Use of Steel Slag Leach Beds for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage

Steel slag from the Waylite steel-making plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was leached with acidic mine drainage (AMD) of a known quality using an established laboratory procedure. Leaching continued for 60 cycles and leachates were collected after each cycle. Results indicated that the slag was very effective at neutralizing acidity. The AMD/slag leachates contained higher average concentrations of Ba, V, Mn, Cr, As, Ag, and Se and lower average concentrations of Sb, Fe, Zn, Be, Cd, Tl, Ni, Al, Cu, and Pb than the untreated AMD. Based on these tests, slag leach beds were constructed at the abandoned McCarty mine site in Preston County, West Virginia. The leach beds were constructed as slag check dams below limestone-lined settling basins. Acid water was captured in limestone channels and directed into basins to leach through the slag dams and discharge into a tributary of Beaver Creek. Since installation in October 2000, the system has been consistently producing net alkaline, pH 9 water. The treated water is still net alkaline and has a neutral pH after it encounters several other acidic seeps downstream.     

Evaluation of Metal Attenuation from Mine Tailings in SE Spain (Sierra Almagrera): A Soil-Leaching Column Study

A laboratory study was undertaken using mine tailings and soil columns to evaluate some of the natural processes that can control the mobility of metals at Pb–Ag mine tailings impoundments. The effects of buffering, pH, and salinity were examined with tailings from the El Arteal deposit. Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn were mobilized when the tailings were leached. However, when the mine tailings were placed above alluvial soils, Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn were retained, although Fe and Sr clearly remained mobile. Most of the metal retention appears to be associated with the increase in pH caused by calcite dissolution. The sorption of some metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) onto oxyhydroxides of Fe and Mn, sulphates, clay materials, and organic matter may also explain the removal of these metals from the leachate.     

尾矿库坝体及排渗体三维渗流分析

尾矿库区渗流场具有明显的三维特征,基于有限元方法对尾矿库的三维渗流及尾矿坝排渗体的渗流进行研究分析,模拟了尾矿库三维渗流和尾矿库增加了排渗盲管后的渗流。计算结果较好地反映了实际渗流情况,对指导尾矿库的设计和施工都有重要的意义。     

龙泉尾矿坝渗流场计算分析及降水工程设计

尾矿坝的渗流状态是影响尾矿坝安全稳定的重要因素,如何降低坝体浸润线是尾矿坝安全管理工作的重点。以浙江龙泉尾矿库为例,通过尾矿坝渗流场的模拟,对传统公式法和数值模拟浸润线进行对比验证,以确定坝体浸润线,并设计采用辐射井降水技术降低坝体浸润线,取得了较为理想的工程效果。     

Mobility of Be,Bi, F,Ga, Ge and W in Surface Water and the Water Quality Impact on Epilithic Diatoms Downstream of the Historical Yxsjöberg Mine Site,Sweden

There is a potential risk that the geochemical cycles of several critical metals will be affected when mining of these metals increases to meet the demand of green technology. The geochemistry of Be, Bi, Ga, Ge, and W, herewith called CM5, is lacking, yet is necessary to ensure responsible mine waste and water management. Beryllium, Bi, and W are all considered immobile, but in previous studies of skarn tailings in Yxsjöberg, Sweden, all three elements were mobilized. The tailings are enriched in CM5, together with pyrrhotite, calcite, and fluorite. The mobility and environmental impact of CM5 and F in surface waters downstream of the Yxsjöberg mine site, Sweden, were studied using monthly water samples from seven locations and analysis of diatoms at five of these locations. Bismuth, Ge, and W were present at low concentrations, transported in the particulate phase, and likely settled in the sediments hundreds of meters from the tailings. Beryllium and F were present at high concentrations and dominantly transported in the dissolved phase. At these pH conditions (5.6), Be should form insoluble hydroxides; however, elevated concentrations of dissolved Be were observed more than 5 km from the mine site. Diatoms downstream of the mine site were negatively affected by the mine drainage. The release of low quality neutral mine drainage will continue for hundreds of years if remediation actions are not undertaken since only a small portion of the tailings have weathered during 50–100 years of storage.

     

Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Kettara Mine (Morocco): 1. Environmental Characterization

The Kettara site (Morocco) is an abandoned pyrrhotite ore mine in a semi-arid environment. The site contains more than 3 million tons of mine waste that have been deposited on the surface without concern for environmental issues. Tailings were stockpiled in a dyke and pond and in piles, over an area of about 16 ha, and have generated acid mine drainage (AMD) for more than 24 years. The mine waste and secondary precipitates from this mine were characterized using geochemical and mineralogical techniques. The Kettara wastes contain 1.6–14.5 wt% sulfur, mainly sulfide minerals (e.g., pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite). The main gangue minerals were goethite, quartz, chlorite-serpentine, talc, muscovite, and albite. Carbonates occur at very low quantities (less than 1 wt%). The most abundant heavy metals were Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Co, As, Cd, and Ni. Acid–base accounting static test results showed that all the samples have low values of acid-neutralizing potential (NP) (0–9 kg CaCO3/t). The mine waste has high acid-producing potential (AP) (51–453 kg CaCO3/t). Abundant secondary mineralogy is present, consisting mainly of halotrichite, goethite, jarosite-hydroanion, hydroniumjarosite, starkeyite, gypsum, alunite, copiapite, butterite, and coquimbite. Hardpans, which can prevent water infiltration to fresh tailings beneath and thereby lessen the rate of sulfide reactivity, were observed during sampling of the fine tailings. Mineralogical analysis indicated that the cementitious phase of the hardpan is mainly goethite. The alteration observed in the tailings pond does not extend more than 5–15 cm.     

A Geotechnical Solution to Reduce Acid Mine Drainage Generation at Recreio Mine

Coal mining is frequently associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) generated by tailings and waste dumps containing sulphide minerals. A practical and economical alternative to minimise AMD generation is to avoid the contact between water and waste dumps using a compacted soil cover. This study evaluates the use of distinct raw materials as cover layers. The study area was an open pit coal mine in the south of Brazil. Geotechnical characterization, physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses were carried out on two different soils from this mine. Hydraulic conductivity tests were performed using Flexible-Wall Permeameter. The results obtained from the hydraulic conductivity tests for two compacted soils suggest their applicability as impermeable layers. Considering the operational aspects at the mine and the characteristics determined for the soils a new construction scheme for the dump site was suggested.     

Mine water quality deterioration due to acid mine drainage

Water quality deterioration due to acid mine drainage is of concern in the northeastern coalfield of India as the water in this area is severely polluted. The mine drainage water emanating from various collieries are highly acidic in character and contain high hardness, sulphate, total dissolved solids and iron coupled with low pH values—which further results in contamination of trace (heavy) metals at significant levels. Trace metals are highly toxic and undesirable and are injurious to human health. These acidic waters are also typically hard in character because of iron sulphate content rather than common Ca?Mg bicarbonate type hardness.     

Numerical Indices of the Severity of Acidic Mine Drainage: Broadening the Applicability of the Gray Acid Mine Drainage Index

The Gray acid mine drainage index (AMDI) was developed to detect, quantify, and categorise mine water and to monitor recovery of contaminated sites. A modified index (MAMDI) is proposed, incorporating the concentration of the dissolved metals that are present (at significant levels) and analysed at a site, and adjusting the weighting to reflect, in part, the maximum contaminant levels permitted by the U.S. EPA and WHO. In 98% of 206 analytical results applied to MAMDI, one or more of the four metals (Al, Zn, Cu, or Cd) used in AMDI were replaced by Mn, Ni, As, Pb, Tl, CN, and Be, while 63% had two or more replaced. A scatter diagram shows that in general, MAMDI is lower than AMDI when the total score is less than 50 and greater when the score is more than 50.     

Lime Treatment of Mine Drainage at the Sarcheshmeh Porphyry Copper Mine,Iran

Laboratory and field treatment tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of lime treatment for mitigation of environmental effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) at the Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper mine. AMD associated with the rock waste dumps is contaminated with Al (>36,215 μg/L), Cd (>105 μg/L), Co (>522 μg/L), Cu (>53,250 μg/L), Mn (>42,365 μg/L), Ni (>629 μg/L), and Zn (>12,470 μg/L). The concentrations of other metals (Fe, Mo, Pb, and Se) are low or below detection limits (As, Cr, and Sb). Due to the very high Al and Mn content and the low concentration of Fe, a two-stage lime treatment method was chosen for the laboratory tests. In the first stage, the AMD was treated at four pH set points: 7.5, 8.9, 9, and 10. In the second stage, after removing the sludge at pH 9, treatment was continued at pH 10 and 11. The results indicated that a two-stage treatment method was not necessary because elements such as Al, Cu, Co, and Zn were easily treated at pH 7.5, while complete removal of Cd, Mn, and Ni only required a pH of 10. Increasing pH during the treatment process only caused a slight increase in Al. Field treatment tests support the laboratory results. Lime treatment of highly contaminated AMD from dump 11, using simple low density sludge pilot scale equipment, show that contaminant metals are treatable using this method. The mean treatment efficiency for contaminant metals was 99.4% for Al, % for Cd, 99.6% for Co, 99.7% for Cu, 98.5% for Mn, 99.7% for Ni, 99% for U, and 99.5% for Zn. The optimum pH for AMD treatment by lime was in the range of 9–10. The produced sludge in the treatment process was highly enriched in the contaminant metals, especially Cu (>7.34%), Al (>4.76%), Mn (>2.94%), and Zn (>1.25%). A correlation coefficient matrix indicates that the distribution pattern of the contaminant metals between soluble and precipitated phases is consistent with the hydrochemical behavior of the metals during the lime treatment process.     

Assessment of Metal Attenuation in a Natural Wetland System Impacted by Alkaline Mine Tailings,Cobalt, Ontario,Canada

A natural wetland in the Farr Creek drainage basin near Cobalt, Ontario was studied because its floor is covered with alkaline mine tailings that contain elevated levels of metals, including As, Co, Cu, and Zn, due to mining that occurred intermittently from 1904 to the 1980s. Our objectives were to characterize the biogeochemical interactions occurring throughout the wetland and to assess its ability to effectively attenuate the metal contamination. We were not able to conclusively determine if this wetland is a net source or net sink for As, Co, Cu, and Zn; it is not clear whether this wetland has reached its capacity for attenuating these trace elements. Both oxidizing and reducing bacteria were quantified and found to be prevalent throughout the wetland, with similar population densities. It is likely that the presence of localized oxic zones in the root zones of Typha latifolia supported the oxidizing bacteria populations observed. The results indicate the importance of understanding the conditions in systems being used to treat mine drainage, as well as the importance of having a detailed understanding of the metals of concern in the mine waste.     

Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Using a Fly Ash Zeolite Column

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and fly ash from thermal power plants both pose substantial environmental problems in India. Fly ash from the Talcher super thermal power plant was converted into zeolite and used in a column to treat AMD from the abandoned Gorbi opencast mines (Singrauli coalfields, NCL). The pH of the mine water increased, and 100 % of the total hardness, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and acidity were removed, along with 99 % of the Fe and 90 % of the Cu.     

Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Kettara Mine (Morocco): 2. Mine Waste Geochemical Behavior

Weathering and humidity cell tests were used to predict the potential for acid mine drainage (AMD) and to estimate the mineral reaction rates and depletion of fine and coarse tailings from the abandoned Kettara mine, Morocco. The geochemistry of the fine and coarse mine wastes was similar and, as expected by static tests, the wastes produced significant amounts of AMD. The sulfate production rate of both fine and coarse tailings was very high (2,000–8,000 and 2,400–560 mg SO₄/kg/week, respectively) during the first weeks of kinetics tests. After 9 weeks, sulfate release became low, ranging between 600 and 78 mg SO₄/kg/week for fine tailings and 500–120 mg SO₄/kg/week for coarse tailings. Effluent water samples had low pH (2.9–4.2) and elevated concentrations of acidity, sulfate, iron, copper, and zinc. Most or all of the dissolved K, Na, Al, Mg, and Si in the AMD result from the acidic dissolution of silicates (chlorite, talc, muscovite, and albite). Fine tailings produce much higher concentrations of acidity and sulfate than coarse tailings. However, due to greater transport of oxygen and water within the coarse waste, coarse tailings could be of greater environmental significance than fine tailings. The coarse waste continued to release acid after 378 days of leaching, whereas the fine tailings naturally passivates. These laboratory results agree with field observations; the upper profile of the coarse waste rock dam is highly oxidized (75 cm) whereas oxidation in the fine tailings does not extend more than 5–15 cm beneath the surface. A comparison between weathering and humidity cell tests indicated that the general trend of dissolution of metals was essentially similar for both methods. However, sulfate depletion rates were higher for the weathering cell tests. These tests indicate that the Kettara tailings piles and dam will continue to release acid for a long time unless remedial action is taken.     

Thallium Contamination in the Raibl Mine Site Stream Drainage System (Eastern Alps,Italy)

The Raibl mine (Cave del Predil village, northern Italy) belongs to the Pb–Zn minerogenetic district in the southeastern Alps, hosted in Middle Triassic carbonates. The drainage water quality reflects the high acid-buffering capacity of the carbonate rocks, which controls the mobility of most metals. In particular, Fe is non-detectable in solution, having formed hydrous-oxides precipitates. Molybdenum, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Tl are present, and the Pb, Tl, and Zn concentrations sometimes exceed the Italian regulatory thresholds. Thallium concentrations substantially exceed the 2 µg/L limit at some sampling stations, ranging between 12 and 30 µg/L in the mine drainage, and reaching 5 µg/L downstream of the mine site, despite strong dilution. The data indicate that Tl behaves almost conservatively and is not significantly scavenged by the Fe precipitates. The elevated Tl represents a potential risk for the stream ecosystem. Although Tl is not regulated in drinking water in Italy or the European Community, its distribution in natural waters may help to determine if health actions should be taken.     

Mobility and Behaviour of Metals in Copper Mine Tailings and Soil at Khetri,India

Mine Water and the Environment - The mobility and behaviour of metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Pb) in mine tailings and neighbouring soils were studied in the Khetri copper mine region, Rajasthan,...     

Potential Release of Metals from Tailings and Soil at the Hamekasi Iron Mine,Hamadan, Iran

This study focused on acid neutralization reactions and the effects of water composition on the release and mobility of metals from mine tailings. The aims of this study were to: investigate leaching of metals from neutral mine tailings, determine the factors responsible for metal leaching, and investigate potential metal filtering by the soil. Tailings and soil samples were collected from an iron mine and analyzed. Equilibrium thermodynamic data and metal fractionation were then used to predict precipitation/dissolution of minerals and ion adsorption/desorption. Three column experiments were designed. The first column was filled with tailings, while the second column contained tailings above a layer of soil; both were leached with distilled water as rainfall. The third column was packed with soil and percolated with synthetic groundwater. The results indicated that iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) mobility are mainly controlled by precipitation–dissolution mechanisms, while sorption onto oxides and carbonates limit the mobility of copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni). Cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn) mobility are affected by both mechanisms. Water discharging from column 3 (soil washed with groundwater) contained high concentrations of dissolved metals, indicating that water composition played an important role in metal mobility. Buffering minerals like carbonates and hornblende, chlorite, and albite decreased acid generation.     

Anaerobic Bioremediation of Acid Mine Drainage using Emulsified Soybean Oil

Abstract  Batch incubation and flow-through column experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of emulsified soybean oil for in situ treatment of acid mine drainage. Addition of soybean oil, soluble substrates, and a microbial inoculum to the batch incubations resulted in complete depletion of SO₄, 50% reduction in Fe, and an increase in pH to >6. A one time injection of emulsified soybean oil, lactate, yeast extract, and a microbial inoculum stimulated SO₄ and metal ion reduction for ≈300 days in laboratory columns packed with mine tailings receiving influent solutions with a pH≈3 and≈5. In all emulsion treated columns, SO₄ and Fe were reduced, pH increased to >6, and Al, Cu and Zn removal efficiency was 99% or greater. Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were removed as metal sulfides and/or carbonates with removal efficiency decreasing with increasing metal sulfide solubility. The low pH and high heavy metals concentrations did not significantly inhibit biological activity. However, SO₄ removal with associated precipitation of metal sulfides may have been limited by the short hydraulic retention time (6-7 days) of the columns. There was a significant hydraulic conductivity loss in one of the four treated columns, indicating that hydraulic conductivity loss may be an issue under certain conditions.     

Reverse Oxidation Zoning in Mine Tailings Generating Arsenic-rich Acidic Waters (Carnoulès,France)

The Carnoulès Pb mine closed 40 years ago, leaving tailings (pyrite-rich silts) exposed. In 1982, the tailings were gathered and placed behind a concrete dam, above a drainage pipe, and then covered with a clay layer. The As-rich pyrite in the tailings has oxidized; acidic water with high As concentrations (100–350 mg/L As) now emerges from the base of the dam. Strikingly, there is no oxidation zone at the surface of the tailings. The clay cover and the low hydraulic conductivity of most of the tailings (10⁻⁷ m/s) strongly limit rainwater infiltration. Water table variations, water balance calculations, and flow modelling indicate subsurface water input and water flow along the bedrock within a more permeable sandy horizon. This lower horizon is strongly oxidized due to this flow pattern. The As-rich water is mainly produced in the northern part of the tailings area, where seasonal variations in the water table (a succession of aerobic/anaerobic periods) are important. This water flows through a drainage pipe to an acidic spring. The disposal of tailings can release acidic and toxic waters into the environment. Monitoring and modelling of such tailings allow one to define the potential impact and propose remedies.