An engineered cover system for mine tailings using a hardpan layer: A solidification/stabilization method for layer and field performance evaluation

Geochemical evaluation of heavy metal migration in Pb–Zn tailings covered by different topsoils

“…Topsoil could be affected by underlying tailings via evaporation and suction of soil (Dold and Fontboté, 2002), and an interlayer could efficiently impede the migration of metals from tailings into the topsoil (Ahn et al, 2011;Hosney and Rowe, 2013). The remaining tailings and upper soils were analysed at the end of the column experiment (Table 3), and the mass loss of the tailings and upper soils due to leaching was calculated (Table.…”

“…However, the soluble contents of Pb, Zn and Cd in the lime-layer showed little change. This was likely because the tailings provided the water needs for hydration of the interlayer, and heavy metals in the porewater were stabilized by hydrated lime (Ca(OH) 2 ) or co-precipitated with calcium carbonate (Ahn et al, 2011;Bolan et al, 2014).…”

“…As this hardpan layer became gradually stabilized, the diffusion of heavy metals into topsoil was limited during the three years of the field experiment, and this interlayer acted as an oxygen and water infiltration barrier under the field conditions (Ahn et al, 2011;Quispe et al, 2013).…”

“…Materials such as paper mill by-products, coal ash, phosphate limestone wastes and sewage sludge are typically used in cover systems for tailings pond remediation projects (Pérez-López et al, 2007a;Bossé et al, 2013;Nason et al, 2014). Ahn et al (2011) assessed a cover system on tailings, and a solidified layer of calcium silicate was efficient in reducing water infiltration, sulphide oxidation and acid generation. Heavy metals were stabilized as carbonate-bound phases, and sulphide minerals were surrounded by a calcium silicate matrix, preventing further reaction.…”

Adsorption characteristics of mesoporous silica SBA-15 synthesized from mine tailing

“…At present, the reported amount of accumulated mine tailings is around 88 million tons and the estimated number of abandoned mines is approximately 1000 in Korea. Furthermore, it has been of great concern about the heavy metals present in the mine tailings, because these metals are the primary cause of contamination of any nearby water system, which in turn affects agricultural crops and threatens human life (Ahn et al, 2011;Alothman and Apblett, 2010;Ercikdi et al, 2009;Huang and Hu, 2008;Kim et al, 2011;Li et al, 2010aLi et al, , 2011Machida et al, 2012;Shi et al, 2009).…”