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.     

Hydrogeochemistry and Contamination of Trace Elements in Cu-Porphyry Mine Tailings: A Case Study from the Sarcheshmeh Mine,SE Iran

Geochemical and hydrochemical investigations were performed to understand the contamination potential of the Sarcheshmeh mine tailings. The geochemical mobility for the tailings is as follows: Cu > Cd > Co > Zn > Ni > Mn > S > Cr > Sn > As > Se > Fe = Bi > Sb = Pb = Mo. Highly mobile and contaminant elements (Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Ni, S, and Cr), which significantly correlated with each other, were mainly concentrated in the surface evaporative layer of the old, weathered tailings, due to the high evaporation rate, which causes subsurface water to migrate upward via capillary action. The contamination potential associated with the tailings is controlled by: (1) dissolution of secondary evaporative soluble phases, especially after rainfall on the old weathered tailings, accompanied by low pH and high contamination loads of Al, Cd, Co, Mg, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, S, Se, and Zn; (2) processing of the Cu-porphyry ore under alkaline conditions, which is responsible for the high Mo (mean of 2.55 mg/L) and very low values of other contaminants in fresh tailings in the decantation pond; (3) low mobility of As, Fe, Pb, Sb, Mo, and Sn due to natural adsorption and co-precipitation in the tailings oxidizing zone. Speciation modeling showed that sulfate complexes (MSO₄ ⁺, M(SO₄)_(aq), M(SO₄) ₂ ^?2 , and M(SO₄) ₂ ^? ) and free metal species (M⁺² and M⁺³) are the dominant forms of dissolved cations in the acidic waters associated with the weathered tailings. In the alkaline and highly alkaline waters, trace element speciation was controlled by various hydroxide complexes, such as M(OH)⁺, M(OH) ₃ ^? , M₃(OH) ₄ ⁺² , M₂(OH) ₃ ⁺ , M(OH)_2(aq), M(OH) ₄ ^?2 , Me(OH) ₂ ⁺ , Me(OH) ₄ ^? , Me(OH) ₂ ⁺ , Me(OH)_3(aq), and Me(OH) ₄ ^? (where M represents bivalent and Me represents trivalent cations). The speciation pattern of As, Mo, and Se is mainly dominated by oxy-anion forms. The obtained results can be used as a basis for environmental management of the Cu-porphyry mine tailings.     

Trace Metal Occurrence and Mobility Assessment in Stream Sediments near the Sungun Porphyry Copper Deposit in Northwest Iran

The Sungun porphyry copper deposit is located 100?km northeast of Tabriz in the Azarbaijan province of Iran. The total concentration and chemical fractionation of metals and metalloids (As, Se, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, and Zn) in sediment downstream of the Sungun mine was investigated. The degree of contamination was evaluated using the sediment pollution index (SPI) and enrichment factor. The concentrations of As, Cd, Se, and Zn in the contaminated sediments were elevated due to anthropogenic activities. According to the SPI, surface sediments in the ephemeral rivers flowing in the vicinity of the Sungun porphyry copper deposit are classified as natural sediment with no ecological risk, while sediments that received contaminated effluents are classified as slightly polluted. Sequential extraction indicated that Co was principally associated with the iron and manganese oxide fraction, while other elements (As, Zn, Cr, Se, and Ni) were mainly distributed in residual phases. Cadmium is the only element that has a high potential for mobility and bioavailability in the sediments and, of the investigated elements, it poses the greatest potential risk to the local aquatic ecosystems. The chemical fractionation pattern of elements appears to be influenced by industrial effluents. Although the bioavailable fraction of most contaminant metals is low due to the freshness of the sediments, over time, the oxidation of sulfide minerals in these sediments could contribute contaminant elements in soluble form.     

Environmental Isotope Investigation of Groundwater in the Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine Area,Iran

Precipitation, surface, and groundwater samples were collected during 2009–2010 in the Sarcheshmeh copper mine drainage basin, Kerman Province, Iran. Groundwater samples were collected from both shallow and deep aquifers. All of the samples were analyzed for stable isotopes, deuterium (²H), and oxygen-18 (¹⁸O), and some were analyzed for tritium (³H). The results show a more restricted range of isotopic composition in groundwater samples than in precipitation samples based on the isotopic composition of the precipitation. The isotopic composition of surface and groundwater samples plot to the right of the local meteoric water line of the Sarcheshmeh area and around the evaporation line, indicating that the groundwater within the study area originates from meteoric water that has undergone secondary evaporation before or during recharge. Tritium was below the detection limit in the deep groundwater samples while shallow groundwater samples had tritium concentrations between 1.2 and 1.7 TU, which indicates a longer residence time for deep groundwater.     

Electrokinetic Studies of Mine Tailings Considering Dewatering and Mass Transport at the Miduk Copper Mine,SE Iran

Mine Water and the Environment - The effect of the electrokinetic process on the extraction of trapped water was evaluated in the Miduk copper mine’s tailings slurry. The effect of the...     

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.     

Pollution of Water and Stream Sediments Associated with the Vale De Abrutiga Uranium Mine,Central Portugal

Abstract.   The Vale de Abrutiga uranium deposit, located in Central Portugal near the Aguieira dam reservoir, was surface mined. Low-grade ore and waste rock were deposited on permeable ground, close to the mine, and were not revegetated. A lake has formed in the open pit. Surface waters draining the mine site are acidic, have high conductivity, and high concentrations of U, SO42-, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ra, Cu, Th, and Pb. The groundwater and the water from the reservoir cannot be used for human consumption or irrigation. The sampled waters show higher contaminant concentrations in winter than in summer. Stream sediments have high geoaccumulation indices for U, Fe, Ag, Zn, Cr, Co, and Pb. In general, sediments bordering the dam reservoir have higher metal contents in winter than in summer.     

Assessment of Trace Elements in Soils and Mine Water Surrounding a Closed Manganese Mine (Anti Atlas,Morocco)

Five mine water samples, 23 topsoil samples, and four mine waste (tailings) samples were collected to assess the effects of a closed Moroccan Mn mine. Based on the pH, electrical conductivity, and concentrations of sulphate, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Mn, mining has not adversely influenced mine water quality. Soil samples were analyzed for 23 chemical elements and the results were interpreted by univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Based on an enrichment factor (EF) calculation, only Cd, As, V, and Mn were selected for further study. Geochemical background (GB) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) were determined for these elements to differentiate between geogenic and anthropogenic enrichment. The GB values showed that the Tiwiyyine soils contained a high geogenic content of Cd, As, V, and Mn that reflected the geochemistry of the parental rocks in this mineralized region. The I_geo calculation revealed that these soils were moderately influenced by anthropogenic activity, which had increased the concentrations of those elements. Finally, geochemical maps revealed that mining was likely responsible for the anthropogenic soil pollution.     

淮北煤田孟庄煤矿煤中微量元素赋存状态及环境效应

运用数理统计思想,利用聚类分析和因子分析方法,研究淮北煤田孟庄煤矿煤中10种微量元素的丰度特征、赋存状态及环境效应。结果表明,孟庄煤矿煤中微量元素丰度变化范围较大,但基本处于正常范围。煤中Cr、U、V、As、Th、Ba和Mo属于黏土矿物吸附类;Mn和Cu属于硫化物矿物类;Sb属于有机结合类。Cr在煤灰分中富集程度高,在煤中含量高,可以通过洗选脱除来减小危害;Sb属于易挥发元素,但是在煤中含量低,危害小。     

喇嘛苏铜矿区中酸性岩体微量元素特征及其成因分析

根据喇嘛苏铜矿中酸性岩体新鲜样品的微量元素含量测试结果,岩体中Ni的平均含量接近于维氏值,而Ti、Cr、V则低于维氏值;高场强元素含量为（611.25~1 210.11）×10^-6,平均值为1 031.211×10^-6;大离子亲石元素含量为（1 041.05~2 708.61）×10^-6,平均值为1 845.15×10^-6;Rb、Ba、K、La、Sm和Th的含量较高,Ta、Nb、Ti较低,而且Th含量远远大于Ta含量;在花岗岩类岩石的非活动性元素构造环境判别图上,所有的样品点均落入火山弧花岗岩区域内,说明本区花岗岩类岩石为造山带的I型花岗岩,属正常的钙碱性大陆边缘弧花岗岩类岩石,是产于消减带而来自壳源的火成岩,在其形成过程中有可能有洋壳物质和流体的加入,同时也混染了围岩。     

Groundwater Source Identification and Flow Model of the Dareh-Zar Copper Mine in Central Iran by Chemo-isotopic Techniques

Mine Water and the Environment - Seepage with AMD characteristics is observed in the Dareh-Zar copper mine in central Iran and more water inrush events are expected since the pit extends below the...     

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.     

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,...     

凤凰山铜矿浮选系统改造与生产实践

介绍了BFP型浮选机使用中存在的问题及XCF／KYF型合联浮选机组的性能，以XCF／KYF型联合浮选机组取代BFP型浮选机进行浮选系统改造，取得了较好的经济效益和社会效益。     

Geochemistry of Mine Stream Sediments and the Control on Potentially Toxic Element Migration: A Case Study from the Baccatoio Basin (Tuscany,Italy)

Mine Water and the Environment - The concentration of 14 potentially toxic elements (PTE), including emerging contaminants, was determined in mine tunnel sludges, streambed sediments, and in the...     

Assessment of Soil and Water Contamination at the Tab-Simco Coal Mine: A Case Study

In 1996, the Tab-Simco site, an abandoned coal mine 10 km southeast of Carbondale, Illinois, was listed as one of the most highly contaminated AMD sites in the mid-continent region. A suite of impacted soil and water samples were collected from various locations to characterize the current extent of AMD pollution, following standard U.S. EPA protocols. The mean pH of soil and water samples were found to be 2.69 and 2.07, respectively. The mean sulfur content of the soil samples was 0.5 %. The AMD-impacted soils contained high concentrations of Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, and As. The AMD also contained high concentrations of Fe, As, Zn, Pb, Cr, Al, Cd, Cu, and Ni, as well as \({\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - }\), all of which were significantly above their U.S. EPA permissible limits for surface water.     

江西某铜矿排土场与尾矿库重金属释放规律及其对地下水的污染风险

对江西某铜矿排土场、尾矿库、疏干井排水口淤泥进行了取样测试。浸出毒性判别结果表明排土场土壤、尾矿砂及淤泥为不具有浸出毒性的危险废物,但浸出液重金属浓度超过《地下水质量标准》中Ⅲ类水标准,尤其是铜、铅、镉元素超标严重,对地下水环境构成威胁。重金属释放实验显示,随时间增加重金属释放量也增加,酸性降水条件下重金属释放量明显高于中性条件。因此,为避免土壤及地下水受到污染,应采取控制与修复措施。     

Evaluating the Origin of Seepage Water in the Golgohar Iron Mine,Iran

The Golgohar mine produces iron ore from an open pit in south-central Iran that is now more than 100 m below the water table, and dewatering has not solved the mine’s water seepage problem. Previous studies had reported that Kheirabad (Sirjan) Playa, 13 km north of the mine, was the most probable groundwater source. A combination of geological, hydrogeological, hydrochemical, and isotopic techniques were used to evaluate the hydraulic connectivity between the mine and the lake, and to characterize the probable water sources. Thirty-two surface and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major and minor (Li, B, and Br) constituents. Ten water samples were analyzed for oxygen-18 and deuterium and three samples were analyzed for tritium. The results indicated that impermeable formations and very low-permeability alluvial deposits lie between lake and the pit. In addition, the chemical and isotopic signatures of the two water sources indicated different origins. Inverse geochemical modeling and the mine water’s isotopic signatures suggest that the water is coming from the surrounding alluvial aquifer, or is deep basin water from within the fractured bedrock, or a mixture of the two.     

Assessment of Metal Contamination in the Mine Water of the West Bokaro Coalfield,India

This study was carried out in the West Bokaro coalfield area of the Jharkhand state of India to assess water quality for drinking and domestic purposes. Thirty mine water samples were collected from opencast and underground mines, and concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn were determined using ICP-MS. Spatial distribution maps were prepared using GIS software so that the quality of the mine water could be easily understood. Metal concentrations were higher in the pre-monsoon season than in the post-monsoon season, irrespective of location, but there were more significant seasonal variations in the opencast mine water than in the underground mine water. The concentrations of Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, and Ni exceeded the desirable as well as the permissible drinking water limits in both seasons. The quality of the surface water as well as the groundwater in the region may be adversely affected by the high metal concentrations in this mine water.     

巴基斯坦山达克铜金工程冶炼厂转炉吹炼原矿的试验

介绍巴基斯坦山达克铜金工程冶炼厂反射炉熔炼及P-S转炉吹炼工艺过程，重点介绍了转炉吹炼原矿的试验过程及实际效果。结果表明在转炉吹炼原矿是可行的。但在进转炉前必须对原矿进行分选，进转炉的块矿粒度必须大于25mm。要求原矿含铜品位必须大于10％，含硫品位必须小于35％。在主要工艺指标上．每吹炼1包原矿（8～10t）增加吹炼时间30～45min。多产粗铜0．8～1．0t，此外其他工艺指标基本无变化。2004年和2005年分别处理原矿1065t和2100t。