Prediction of AMD generation potential in mining waste piles, in the sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit, Iran

Abstract

This study investigates the possibility of acid mine drainage (AMD) generation in active and derelict mine waste piles in Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine produced in several decades, using static tests including acid-base accounting (ABA) and net acid-generating pH (NAGpH). In this study, 51 composite samples were taken from 11 waste heaps, and static ABA and NAGpH tests were carried out on samples. While some piles are acid producing at present and AMD is discharging from the piles, most of them do not show any indication on their AMD potential, and they were investigated to define their acid-producing potential. The analysis of data indicates that eight waste piles are potentially acid generating with net neutralization potentials (NNPs) of -56.18 to -199.3, net acid generating of 2.19-3.31, and NPRs from 0.18 to 0.44. Other waste piles exhibited either a very low sulfur, high carbonate content or excess carbonate over sulfur; hence, they are not capable of acid production or they can be considered as weak acid producers. Consistency between results of ABA and NAGpH tests using a variety of classification criteria validates these tests as powerful means for preliminary evaluation of AMD/ARD possibilities in any mining district. It is also concluded that some of the piles with very negative NNPs are capable to produce AMD naturally, and they can be used in heap leaching process for economic recovery of trace amounts of metals without applying any biostimulation methods.

Distribution of Zinc, Copper, and Iron in the Tailings Dam of an Abandoned Mine in Shimokawa, Hokkaido, Japan

“…The distribution and chemical species of metals in a tailings dam differ, depending on the ore minerals, tailings properties, deposit time, and local climate (Duanmu et al 2011). Several studies have shown changes in AMD generation rates (Bouzahzah et al 2014;Greenhill 2000;Hakkou et al 2008;Lengke et al 2010;Modabberi et al 2013;Morin and Hutt 1998;Schafer 2000) and the leaching behaviors of contaminants from mine sites over time (Bogush and Lazareva 2011;Lee et al 2005;Wang et al 2017;Zhang et al 2016). However, the factors and processes controlling AMD generation and distribution of potentially toxic elements in tailings dams are not fully understood.…”

Sustainable rehabilitation of mining waste and acid mine drainage using geochemistry, mine type, mineralogy, texture, ore extraction and climate knowledge

“…Intensive mining activities have produced a vast amount of hazardous wastes throughout the world, which are commonly associated with high content of acid generating sulfide minerals, and potentially toxic metals and metalloids (PTMs) e.g., As, Sb, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Hg, Ag, Sn, Fe, Al, Mn, Tl, U, Th and W (Ashley et al, 2003(Ashley et al, , 2004Bhattacharya et al, 2006;Jung, 2008;Modabberi et al, 2013). The erosion, dispersal, leaching, and atmospheric transport of tailings may spread these elements in a natural aquatic and terrestrial system (Paktunc et al, 2003;Anawar et al, 2011a).…”

“…The Table 2 Major geochemical reactions in the mining environments (adapted from Salmon and Malmstrom, 2004;Kruse and Younger, 2009;Bea et al, 2010;Modabberi et al, 2013).…”

“…In gold (except placer Au deposits), base metal, U, Hg, coal, lignite, kyanite and AseSb mines, the main ore and associated minerals are sulfide minerals such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, bornite (Cu 5 FeS 4 ), chalcocite, covelite, stibnite, tetrahedrite, stannite and berthierite, that can generate acidity and PTMs (Ashley et al, 2003;Salmon and Malmstrom, 2004;Shikazono et al, 2008;Navarro et al, 2006Navarro et al, , 2009Oyarzun et al, 2011;Souissi et al, 2013;Modabberi et al, 2013). The feldspar, kaolin minerals, aluminosilicates, amphibole, biotite, muscovite, pyroxene, albite, chlorite, calcite, dolomite, mica, gypsum, apatite, etc.…”

The study of leachability and toxicity of sludge after neutralization of Saraka and Robule AMD wastewaters

“…It is characterized by low pH value and high concentrations of potentially toxic dissolved metals, metalloids and sulphate [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”