Tailings and Mine Waste Conference

Assessing weathering in field cell experiments using quantitative mineralogy and sequential leaching Haupt, Charlene; Kabwe, Louis; Klein, Bern; Jorge, Alberto; Altun, Emre

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the weathering behavior of select samples from the non acid producing waste rock materials at the Antamina mine using field cell tests and laboratory scale sequential extraction tests. Field cell results have indicated the release of metals, particularly arsenic and zinc, under neutral pH conditions. Sequential extraction and mineralogical characterization tests have demonstrated that carbonate dissolution under acidic conditions may be a significant source of leached metals. Comparison of field cell and sequential extraction tests demonstrated that solid phase metal content and leachate metal concentration are not necessarily correlated: a high metal content in the solid phase does not imply high concentrations in the leachate, and conversely, relatively low levels of metal in the solid phase can result in significant metal release. The observed field cell behavior can be explained by differences in the mineralogical forms of the metals. [All papers were considered for technical and language appropriateness by the organizing committee.]

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