Mineralogy and geochemistry of tailings from a gold mine in northeastern Thailand

Assawincharoenkij, Thitiphan; Hauzenberger, Christoph; Sutthirat, Chakkaphan

doi:10.1080/10807039.2016.1248894

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Mineralogical results show same tendencies as in previous studies where it is shown that mineralogical and chemical composition of gold mine tailings are similar to conventional material composition used for construction of bricks [9]. Among the main components found, the presence of oxides, muscovite (6%) and quartz (86%), are highlighted.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Among the main components found, the presence of oxides, muscovite (6%) and quartz (86%), are highlighted. However, characteristics of mine tailings depend on the geographic location and type of gold ore extraction process, [10] verified that gold mine tailings characteristics vary according to the place of origin extraction, and even within the same area of the dump [11], in this Project, we found high concentrations of oxides: In general, it should be noted that content of sulphide minerals in a dump is 40%; On the contrary, lower layers indicate the content of goethite, quartz, chlorite, muscovite, calcite, hematite, pyrrhotite and high concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic, copper and lead, depending on the mineral extraction base [9]. It is important to perform a characterization in vertical profiles of mine dumps in order to estimate the amount of oxidized minerals available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

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Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Loaiza

Franco

Vargas

et al. 2020

Ingeniare. Rev. chil. ing.

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In Arequipa -Peru, tailings produced from the gold cyanidation process are deposited in tailings dumps. This accumulation creates the need for large spaces, high maintenance costs, and a negative impact on the environment. The present study aims to develop a process for reusing gold mine tailings as a raw material for the manufacture of bricks. This study deals with important aspects of the mining industry involved in sustainable development, namely the transformation of an environmental liability into an environmental asset. This work will seek to address two problems related to environmental damage: the buildup of toxic solid wastes at mining sites, and the over-exploitation of natural resources in the brick production process. The proposed process has been divided into three stages: (I) thickening and molding; (II) filtering, mixing and neutralizing; and (III) drying and sintering. The development and validation of the process and the evaluation of the final featured products allow defining the process as "recycling" (collection, processing, trading, and use of materials considered wastes). Standard procedures in brick manufacture analyzed physical and mechanical quality from bricks produced. Results showed that the bricks comply with current regulations for materials in compression resistance, maximum absorption, and dimensional variation tests. It is concluded that the enormous environmental liability represented by mining tailings can be used as a raw material within the construction materials industry.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Loaiza

Franco

Vargas

et al. 2020

Ingeniare. Rev. chil. ing.

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“…Mine tailings are recognized as among the main sources of PTMs in the environment [ 13 ]. Tailings usually contain Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Mn, Ni, and other PTMs and acidic compounds [ 14 , 15 ], which undergo weathering, oxidation, and rainfall leaching when exposed to the environment, thereby leading to biogeochemical reactions mediated by a combination of air, water, and microbes [ 16 ]. Furthermore, acid mine drainage containing various PTMs is constantly released into the surrounding environment [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaching Characteristics of Potentially Toxic Metals from Tailings at Lujiang Alum Mine, China

Zhou

Ren³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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To investigate the leaching characteristics and potential environmental effects of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) from alum mine tailings in Lujiang, Anhui Province, soaking tests and simulated rainfall leaching experiments were conducted for two types of slag. PTMs comprising Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni were detected in the slag. Cu and Cd contents exceeded the national soil risk screening values (GB 15618-2018). pH values of the two slag soaking solutions were negatively correlated with the solid:liquid ratio. pH values of the sintered slag soaking solutions with different solid:liquid ratios finally stabilized between 4.4 and 4.59, and those of the waste slag soaking solutions finally stabilized between 2.7 and 3.4. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni leached from waste slag were higher than those from sintered slag, and the dissolved concentrations of these PTMs in sintered slag were higher under rainfall leaching conditions than soaking conditions (the difference in Cr concentration was the smallest, 5.6%). The cumulative release of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni increased as the leaching liquid volume increased. The kinetic characteristics of the cumulative release of the five PTMs were best fitted by a double constant equation (R2 > 0.98 for all fits). Single factor index evaluations showed that Mn and Ni were the PTMs with high pollution degrees (Pi for Mn and Ni exceed 1) in the leaching solutions. However, considering the biotoxicity of PTMs, the water quality index evaluations showed that the water quality of the sintered slag soaking solution, the waste slag soaking solution, and the sintered slag leachate was good, poor, and undrinkable, respectively. The health risk assessment showed that the total non-carcinogenic risk (HI) values in adults for both the sintered slag leachate and waste slag soaking solution exceeded the safe level of 1, with HI values of 3.965 and 2.342, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) for Cd was 1.994 for the sintered slag leachate, and Cd and Cr make up 50.29% and 15.93% of the total risk, respectively. Cr makes up 28.38% of the total risk for the waste slag soaking solution. These results indicate a high non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to Cd and Cr in the leaching solution used for drinking purposes. These findings may provide a reference for the evaluation and ecological control of PTM pollution in alum mining areas.

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“…Gossan rocks are commonly associated with massive sulfide ore deposits which have undergone erosion and oxidation processes during uplifting and exposure to the surface [1][2][3][4][5]. Consequently, gossans usually exhibit a mushroom-like morphology [1,6]. In general, the massive sulfides mainly contain pyrite (FeS 2 ), pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) and arsenopyrite (FeAsS) [7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The gossan rocks have potential to carry heavy metals/metalloids such as arsenic (up to 810 mg kg -1 ), copper (up to 7,500 mg kg -1 ), lead (4-12 mg kg -1 ) and zinc (45-350 mg kg -1 ) [20]. They may be classified as ore-bearing or ore-barren gossan rocks [6][7]24]. The aim of this study was to find out characteristics of various ocher materials including their mineralogical and chemical compositions as well as toxic elements, and also to determine the potential of ocher materials as a natural adsorbent for further study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristics of Gossan Waste Rocks from a Gold Mine in Northeastern Thailand

2017

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The mineralogical and chemical compositions of various ocher gossans from a gold mine in northeastern Thailand were investigated, including some heavy metals and other toxic elements. Mineralogical characteristics were carried out using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) whereas chemical compositions were analyzed using Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer (EPMA). These ocher gossans can be classified, initially based on Munsell color, into five types: type-I (pale-yellow color), type-II (brownish-yellow color), type-III (yellowish-brown color), type-IV (dusky-red color) and type-V (red color). The primary silicate minerals (i.e., quartz, garnet epidote and amphibole) are found in type -I, -II, -III and -IV. They appear to be composed of skarn rock. On the other hand, the secondary minerals (i.e., goethite, jarosite, ankerite, montmorillonite, magnetite, gypsum and secondary quartz) are observed in types-II, -III, -IV and -V. As and Cu are found crucially in types-III, -IV and -V in which both elements can be adsorbed by goethite and/or jarosite. As the result, the gossan rocks in this area are natural adsorbents with high potential to reduce As and Cu contamination into the ecosystem. Therefore, the gossan, a natural attenuation material, is recommended for site remediation because of its low cost and local abundance. Feasibility studies should be conducted to further investigate the potential.

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Mineralogy and geochemistry of tailings from a gold mine in northeastern Thailand

Cited by 17 publications

References 30 publications

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Design and implementation of an alternative process for the manufacture of bricks from gold mine tailings

Leaching Characteristics of Potentially Toxic Metals from Tailings at Lujiang Alum Mine, China

Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristics of Gossan Waste Rocks from a Gold Mine in Northeastern Thailand

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