Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Gold Mine Tailings for the Potential of Acid Mine Drainage in the Sabie-Pilgrim’s Rest Goldfields, South Africa

doi:10.17758/eares.eap517219

Nov. 27-28, 2017 South Africa ASETWM-17, RCABES-17 &Amp; EBHSSS-17 2017

DOI: 10.17758/eares.eap517219

|View full text |Cite

Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Gold Mine Tailings for the Potential of Acid Mine Drainage in the Sabie-Pilgrim’s Rest Goldfields, South Africa

Abstract: Abstract-The environmental hazards arising from active and abandoned mine tailings are a cause for concern. We report on the presence of mineral-related environmental hazards in both Glynn Lydenburg and Nestor mine tailings, approximately 6 km apart and located in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Based on XRD, shows a wide range of minerals: pyritic sulphide, quartz and mica. The XRF results showed that quartz was the dominant oxide in both the mine tailings; followed by Fe 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 . Further… Show more

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2021

Publication Types

Select...

Article1

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent1

Authors

Journals

Cited by 1 publication

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

A Systemic Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining within the Blyde River Catchment, a Strategic Water Area of South Africa

Selebalo

Scholes

Clifford-Holmes

2021

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Exploratory modelling of the impact of gold mining on groundwater in a strategic water area of South Africa was undertaken. A systems dynamics (SD) model was developed to simulate the impact of gold mining on water quality, focusing on groundwater contamination risk, within the context of competing developmental priorities around water resource development and the socio-economic gains from gold mining. The model also identified interventions to minimise the impacts by the year 2040. The study area was the Blyde River Catchment (BRC), which is part of the Olifants Water Management Area in South Africa. This area is an important contributor, currently and in the future, to freshwater flows and groundwater in the Olifants River Catchment, which is one of South Africa’s most economically important catchments. The model development process included a causal loop diagram–based problem conceptualisation, followed by the drawing of stock-flow diagrams and the determining of model parameters based on a combination of background literature, data from environmental impact assessments, and from the national Department of Water and Sanitation. The model showed the potential environmental risks of gold mine wastewater production and interventions to minimise these risks. The most effective intervention identified to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination was the development and use of synthetic-lined tailings dams. The baseline simulation result of sulphate loading of 5430 t/year can be reduced by 3070 t/year to give a simulated sulphate load of 2270 t/year in 2040 using this intervention. In comparison, the simulated wastewater recycling intervention only reduced the sulphate load to 4630 t/year and the wastewater treatment interventions to 3420 t/year. This project contributes to the exploratory modelling of an understudied region of the Olifants River Catchment that is a crucial provider of freshwater flows to the Olifants, which is threatened by increasing gold mining in the upper BRC. The SD model highlighted the importance of protecting the dolomitic aquifers in the BRC for the long term sustainability of the catchment, which is particularly important if groundwater development occurs.

show abstract

A Systemic Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining within the Blyde River Catchment, a Strategic Water Area of South Africa

Selebalo

Scholes

Clifford-Holmes

2021

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Gold Mine Tailings for the Potential of Acid Mine Drainage in the Sabie-Pilgrim’s Rest Goldfields, South Africa

Cited by 1 publication

References 9 publications

A Systemic Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining within the Blyde River Catchment, a Strategic Water Area of South Africa

A Systemic Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining within the Blyde River Catchment, a Strategic Water Area of South Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About