Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the abandoned Valzinco (lead-zinc) and Mitchell (gold) mine sites prior to reclamation, Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Hammarstrom, Jane M.; Johnson, Adam N.; Seal, Robert R.; Meier, Allen L.; Briggs, Paul L.; Piatak, Nadine M.

doi:10.3133/sir20065085

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Fluvial tailings were generally < 1 m (3.3 ft) thick. In general, unoxidized tailings were encountered at depths between 20 and 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in) (Hammarstrom et al, 2006). The tailings were dominated by quartz, muscovite, chlorite, and pyrite, and lesser amounts of sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, magnetite, and albite.…”

Section: Mine-waste Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The tailings were dominated by quartz, muscovite, chlorite, and pyrite, and lesser amounts of sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, magnetite, and albite. Jarosite, gypsum, and secondary efflorescent salts were common in the oxidized upper zones of the tailings material (Hammarstrom et al, 2006;Seal et al, 2008).…”

Section: Mine-waste Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The bulk geochemistry of the tailings reflects their mineralogy (Hammarstrom et al, 2006;Seal et al, 2008). All samples of tailings have concentrations of Fe (8.0 to 12.0 wt.…”

Section: Mine-waste Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first post-reclamation sampling was done a few months after the completion of remediation construction, the second approximately ten months later, and the last five years after the first post-reclamation sampling. Pre-reclamation characterization of the water quality and mine waste has been presented by Seal et al (2002) and Hammarstrom et al (2006), respectively. Seal et al (2008) described processes controlling the generation of acid drainage and the associated mobility of metals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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WATER QUALITY BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION AT THE ABANDONED VALZINCO Zn-Pb MINE SITE, SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Seal¹,

Hammarstrom²,

Bishop³

et al. 2008

JASMR

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The Valzinco deposit was a massive sulfide ore body, dominated by pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. It was mined intermittently in the first half of the 20th century by underground methods. The host rocks were metamorphosed felsic volcanic rocks. Mine wastes were dominated by flotation tailings deposited in the stream channel, which were subsequently partially transported downstream by fluvial processes. Acid-base accounting results indicate that the tailings are net acid (net neutralizing potential =-268 to-138 kg CaCO 3 /tonne) and leach significant quantities of Fe, Al, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and SO 4 2-. Pre-reclamation quarterly sampling of the stream below the site documented low-pH waters having elevated concentrations of Fe, Al, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and SO 4 2-. Reclamation began in 2001 and major construction was completed in 2002. Reclamation included the removal and encapsulation on site of tailings, application of bactericide, installation of limestone drains, construction of wetlands, and revegetation. Results of recent sampling of the site (June 2007) indicate an increase in pH from 3.4 to 5.1, an increase in hardness of 37 %, and decreases in total dissolved solids (68 %), Fe (94 %), Al (98 %), Zn (77 %), Pb (99.5 %), Cu (97 %), Cd (94 %), and SO 4 2-(81 %) relative to mean prereclamation values. Even though significant reductions in dissolved metals have been achieved and positive biologic indicators of ecosystem health are present, the concentrations of Cu and Zn remain above hardness-based acute ecosystem toxicity criteria. The elevated concentrations, in part, appear to be a natural, premining characteristic of the watershed. The elevated concentrations also highlight the sensitivity of calculated hardness-based toxicity criteria for soft waters. The hardness-based criteria do not account for the mitigating effect of dissolved organic carbon on metal toxicity in wetland areas such as at Valzinco.

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Section: Mine-waste Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Mine-waste Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The bulk geochemistry of the tailings reflects their mineralogy (Hammarstrom et al, 2006;Seal et al, 2008). All samples of tailings have concentrations of Fe (8.0 to 12.0 wt.…”

Section: Mine-waste Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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WATER QUALITY BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION AT THE ABANDONED VALZINCO Zn-Pb MINE SITE, SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Seal¹,

Hammarstrom²,

Bishop³

et al. 2008

JASMR

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Environmental geochemistry of a Kuroko-type massive sulfide deposit at the abandoned Valzinco mine, Virginia, USA

Seal

Hammarstrom

Johnson

et al. 2008

Applied Geochemistry

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Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the abandoned Valzinco (lead-zinc) and Mitchell (gold) mine sites prior to reclamation, Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Abstract: Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the insert datum name (and abbreviation) here, for instance, "North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)" Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Cited by 2 publications

References 6 publications

WATER QUALITY BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION AT THE ABANDONED VALZINCO Zn-Pb MINE SITE, SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA

WATER QUALITY BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION AT THE ABANDONED VALZINCO Zn-Pb MINE SITE, SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Environmental geochemistry of a Kuroko-type massive sulfide deposit at the abandoned Valzinco mine, Virginia, USA

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