Characterization and speciation modelling of cyanide in effluent from an active slimes dam

Abstract

The utilization of cyanide in the process of gold extraction is an environmental concern as this pollutant is discharged with the tailings. The distribution and fate of cyanide in the environment upon release from the tailings dumps depends on its physical-chemical speciation. its immediate environment following its release from slimes dams, an issue of concern as some residential areas have developed in the proximity of such facilities. The major highlight of this work has been the comprehensive characterization of cyanide speciation by using geochemical modelling to complement analytical techniques. This is important in understanding the potential risk posed by this pollutant.

Tailings storage facilities flood exposure assessment using a 2D hydrodynamic model

“…TSFs are commonly constructed in incremental steps over the life span of a mining project (Lottermoser, 2010; Pastor et al, 2002) and their retainment structure is usually constructed using the coarse fraction of the tailings (Villavicencio et al, 2014). In some cases, tailings particles contain high concentrations of hazardous pollutants such as arsenic (Liu et al, 2010), cyanide (Bakatula & Tutu, 2016; Donato et al, 2007), heavy metals (Johnson et al, 2016; Lottermoser, 2010) and depending on the extracted commodity, even traces of radioactive elements (Landa, 2004; Winde & Walt, 2004). Tailings‐borne contaminants can be released into the atmosphere as dust particles (Csavina et al, 2012) or into surface waters as suspended particles or dissolved species (Andrade et al, 2006).…”