Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Abandoned metal mining sites have left a degraded environmental legacy, threatening the ecosystem and human health, particularly through the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as As, Cd or Pb. Before planning a soil remediation program, it is necessary to study the PTE content, natural mobility and potential mobilization and toxicity effects to obtain a comprehensive environmental and health risk assessment.

In addition, the use of non-invasive methods, particularly environmental geophysics, plays a key role in assessing and monitoring degraded areas, enhancing the understanding of subsurface features and contaminant dispersion.

The main objective of this Topic is to study the impact that the exploitation of mining deposits can have on the environment and its possible remediation. This study includes an evaluation of the levels of pollutants in soil and water, as well as a study of their source of origin, the processes by which they are dispersed and the application of innovative methods for their comprehensive characterization, remediation and restoration.

Prof. Dr. María de la Luz García Lorenzo
Dr. José María Esbrí
Dr. Oscar Andreu Sánchez
Dr. Francisco J. Martínez Moreno
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.9	6.1	2011	15 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Environments environments	4.3	5.7	2014	18.6 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Geosciences geosciences	2.3	4.4	2011	22.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Minerals minerals	2.7	4.9	2011	17 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Mining mining	2.9	4.5	2021	22.5 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Toxics toxics	4.9	7.8	2013	17 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Open AccessArticle

Source Apportionment and Health Risks of Toxic Metals in Groundwater from a Dual-Aquifer Coal Mine System

by Gan Jiang, Kai Chen and Qimeng Liu

Toxics 2026, 14(9), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14090740 - 22 Aug 2026

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in mining-affected groundwater may pose potential risks to drinking water safety and human health. In this study, 25 groundwater samples, including 18 from Aquifer IV of the Cenozoic unconsolidated porous aquifer system and 7 from the Taiyuan Formation limestone karst [...] Read more.

Heavy metal contamination in mining-affected groundwater may pose potential risks to drinking water safety and human health. In this study, 25 groundwater samples, including 18 from Aquifer IV of the Cenozoic unconsolidated porous aquifer system and 7 from the Taiyuan Formation limestone karst aquifer, were collected from the Zhuxianzhuang Coal Mine, Huaibei Coalfield, China. The Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index (MI), Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), and oral-ingestion health risk model were applied to assess metal contamination, source contributions, and human health risks. HPI values ranged from 8.0 to 37.5, with a mean of 21.5, indicating a low overall pollution level. In contrast, MI values suggested cumulative metal contamination, with higher mean values in Taiyuan Formation limestone karst groundwater (5.60) than in Aquifer IV groundwater (2.38). PMF identified two major factors, interpreted as a natural water–rock interaction source and a combined anthropogenic and mining-related source. Health risks were consistently higher in Taiyuan Formation limestone karst groundwater. Non-carcinogenic risks were higher for children and mainly controlled by As, whereas carcinogenic risks were higher for adults and mainly associated with Cr. These findings highlight the need for aquifer-specific monitoring and source control to reduce toxic metal exposure in coal mining areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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22 pages, 5491 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Chemical Forms of Lanthanum, Cerium and Fluorine on the Farmland Soil Microbial Community

by Ying Jiang, Yunzhu Chen, Lichao Nengzi, Xuemei Wang, Zhe Nan, Yanjun Yang, Wanming Zhang and Yuan Qing

Environments 2026, 13(7), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13070395 - 13 Jul 2026

Viewed by 500

Abstract

Rapid accumulation of soil lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and fluorine (F) caused by bastnasite mining development has increasingly become a concern worldwide in the past decades. However, the effects of the different chemical forms of these elements on the composition and diversity of [...] Read more.

Rapid accumulation of soil lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and fluorine (F) caused by bastnasite mining development has increasingly become a concern worldwide in the past decades. However, the effects of the different chemical forms of these elements on the composition and diversity of soil dominant, moderate, and rare microorganisms are unclear. In this study, Planctomycetota was changed from dominant to moderate, caused by exchangeable and carbonate-bound forms of La and Ce. Both organic bound La (La_ORG) and water-soluble F (F_WS) were the crucial factors driving variations in the relative abundance of Patescibacteria and Bacteroidota from moderate to dominant, while the fungal phylum Chytridiomycota was changed from moderate to dominant, promoted by F_WS. La_ORG, the ferrum-manganese bound form of Ce, and F_WS displayed a negative correlation with the three rare bacterial phyla, i.e., Abditibacteriota, GAL15, and Deinococcota respectively. F_WS caused the disappearance of the rare fungal phylum Monoblepharomycota and the appearance of the rare bacterial phylum Fibrobacterota. Organic bound forms of both Ce and F showed a negative correlation with the bacterial Sobs and fungal Phylogenetic diversity indices, respectively. To summarize, the different chemical forms of La, Ce, and F showed varied effects on the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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20 pages, 2623 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil of a Historical Mining Region in Serbia: Geochemical Fractionation, Ecological Impact, and Health Risk Assessment

by Almasa Lekpek, Svetlana Đogo Mračević, Zoran Dinić, Aleksandra Šajnović, Slavica Ražić, Milan Stanković and Branimir Jovančićević

Toxics 2026, 14(7), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14070608 - 12 Jul 2026

Viewed by 483

Abstract

Natural metal enrichment, combined with centuries of mining activity in the Rudnik Mountain region of Serbia, has led to the long-term accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil. Although the investigated area lies outside the current zone of active exploitation, the [...] Read more.

Natural metal enrichment, combined with centuries of mining activity in the Rudnik Mountain region of Serbia, has led to the long-term accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil. Although the investigated area lies outside the current zone of active exploitation, the persistence and mobility of accumulated PTEs, historical contamination can still affect the local population. This study integrated assessments of soil characterization, enrichment, sequential extraction-based fractionation, mobility, and bioavailability of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, as well as the associated ecological and human health risks. Geochemical and environmental pollution indices further identified As, Pb, and Cd as the main contributors to environmental risk. Sequential extraction results based on the BCR protocol indicated significant bioavailability of Cd (32% in the exchangeable fraction) and Pb (74% in the reducible fraction). In contrast, over 80% of As was present in the residual fraction, indicating limited mobility and low bioavailability. Health risk assessment for the local rural population revealed significant potential health concerns at the investigated sites, with exceedances of the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) values, primarily associated with As as the main contributing pollutant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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38 pages, 34694 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Geoenvironmental Modeling of Mining Impacts in Southern Peru Using Sediment Fingerprinting

by Madeleine Guillen and Guillermo Iriarte

Mining 2026, 6(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining6030046 - 30 Jun 2026

Viewed by 264

Abstract

Identifying sediment sources in mining-impacted watersheds is essential for understanding sediment dynamics and supporting environmental management. This study applies a geoenvironmental modeling approach based on geochemical sediment fingerprinting to quantify the relative contribution of three sediment sources in the Colca River micro-watershed (southern [...] Read more.

Identifying sediment sources in mining-impacted watersheds is essential for understanding sediment dynamics and supporting environmental management. This study applies a geoenvironmental modeling approach based on geochemical sediment fingerprinting to quantify the relative contribution of three sediment sources in the Colca River micro-watershed (southern Peru): agricultural areas (ZAGR), non-mining areas (QSAM), and mining-influenced zones (ZAM). Water and sediment samples were collected during dry and wet seasons, and 31 elements were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), supported by complementary analytical techniques. Source apportionment was performed using the FingerPro model in R 4.5.0, applying Conservation Index (CI), Consensus Ranking (CR), and Consistent Tracer Selection (CTS) methods. Results indicate that non-mining zones dominate sediment sources, contributing approximately 58–60%, while mining-influenced zones contribute up to 31.5% in downstream areas. Although ZAM represents a lower contribution, it is associated with elevated concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and As. The selected tracers (Ca, Mg, P, and Y) showed high discriminatory power. These findings demonstrate that sediment fingerprinting provides a robust framework for assessing sediment source contributions in mining-affected watersheds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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15 pages, 3162 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Fluoride and Potentially Toxic Elements in Coal Mine Water of Shanxi Province, North China: A Comparative Analysis of Raw Mine Water and Mine Drainage

by Yulu Pei, Jie Luo, Chunyu Ma, Pingchuan Ma, Xin Lin, Weihua Li, Juping Yan and Xuejun Sun

Toxics 2026, 14(7), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14070553 - 25 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 482

Abstract

Coal mining critically affects Shanxi’s economy and national energy security in China, whereas mine water significantly influences regional water quality and ecological stability. However, studies on pollution characteristics and health risks of fluoride and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) remain limited, especially comparative analyses [...] Read more.

Coal mining critically affects Shanxi’s economy and national energy security in China, whereas mine water significantly influences regional water quality and ecological stability. However, studies on pollution characteristics and health risks of fluoride and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) remain limited, especially comparative analyses between raw mine water and treated mine drainage. This study comprehensively analyzed the pollution characteristics of fluoride and PTEs, along with water quality evaluation, ecological risks, and human health risks associated with raw mine water and mine drainage. Fluoride concentrations in raw mine water from several mines exceeded the WHO guideline limit of 1.5 mg/L, whereas those in mine drainage were below the WHO standard. The total hazard index (THI) of fluoride in both water types was unacceptable (THI > 1). For PTEs, only arsenic in raw mine water exceeded the Grade III groundwater standard, while all PTEs in mine drainage met standards. Total health risk of PTEs in raw water was approximately one order of magnitude higher than in mine drainage, and both exceeded acceptable levels, mainly contributed by carcinogenic elements, particularly arsenic. These results underscore continuous monitoring and targeted control of arsenic are still required for safe utilization of coal mine water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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14 pages, 1813 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Cu, As, Pb, Zn and Fe Enrichment in Intertidal Sediments Along the Atacama Coast, Northern Chile

by Estefanía Bonnail, Edgardo Cruces, John Santibáñez, Juan Manuel Muñoz, María Isabel Prudencio, María Isabel Dias, Rosa Marques, Manuel Abad, Tatiana Izquierdo and Francisco Ruiz

Minerals 2026, 16(6), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16060643 - 18 Jun 2026

Viewed by 541

Abstract

Textural and geochemical analysis of intertidal sediments in the southern Atacama region makes it possible to identify sites primarily affected by mining-related pollution, based on a multivariate statistical analysis of the concentrations of five elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Pb) and their geoaccumulation [...] Read more.

Textural and geochemical analysis of intertidal sediments in the southern Atacama region makes it possible to identify sites primarily affected by mining-related pollution, based on a multivariate statistical analysis of the concentrations of five elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Pb) and their geoaccumulation indices. These concentrations are not correlated with grain size, which is dominated by the sandy fractions. Spearman’s matrix and principal component analysis make it possible to distinguish between two groups of elements (group A: Fe-Cu-As; group B: Zn-Pb), with a strong correlation between them (ρ ≥ 0.51; p < 0.01) and the first two components explain 96.3% of the variance. Three heavily polluted sites (Playa Blanca, Bahía Sarco and Chañaral de Aceituno; I_geo Cu > 8) have been identified linked to waste from the washing of tailings, a copper smelter and frequent boat trips. In addition, four moderately polluted sites (Playa Grande, Balneario Caldera, the mouth of the Copiapó River and Carrizal Bajo; 1.7 < I_geo Cu < 8; 1.2 < I_geo Pb < 2.6), mainly due to activities associated with mining and oil refineries, have been identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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25 pages, 2771 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution of Asbestos and Perceptions of Asbestosis Risk in the Ga-Mathabatha Community, Limpopo Province, South Africa

by Manuel Teleki Thobejane, Mologadi Clodean Mothapo, Hector Chikoore and Fhatuwani Sengani

Minerals 2026, 16(5), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16050527 - 15 May 2026

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Abstract

Asbestos dust exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly in areas with unrehabilitated asbestos mines. This study aims to evaluate the spatial distribution of asbestos and community awareness and perceptions of the risk of asbestosis in Ga-Mathabatha, a rural settlement in Limpopo [...] Read more.

Asbestos dust exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly in areas with unrehabilitated asbestos mines. This study aims to evaluate the spatial distribution of asbestos and community awareness and perceptions of the risk of asbestosis in Ga-Mathabatha, a rural settlement in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite imagery, remote sensing techniques, and GIS mapping, we predicted areas containing different types of minerals associated with asbestos, validated by field observations at Makapeng, Moleke, Maseleseleng, Success, Masioneng, Olifants River, Mphogodima River, and Tongwane River sites. A mixed-methods research approach, including 18 in-depth interviews and 250 survey questionnaires, assessed community awareness and perceptions of potential asbestosis risk. Remote sensing analysis results indicated high concentrations of chrysotile asbestos in the eastern part of the study area, tremolite asbestos in the southern part, and minor serpentine deposits in the east. Field observations confirmed asbestos deposits along riverbanks and in the surrounding villages. Survey results revealed that 45.6% of participants were not aware of areas of high asbestos concentration in Ga-Mathabatha, while 28% (15% + 13%) did not perceive passing near asbestos dumps with or without herds as another source of exposure. These findings underscore the need for targeted education and awareness programs for communities living near asbestos deposits and those whose day-to-day activities increase their risk of exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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44 pages, 33818 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Blasting-Induced Ground Vibration in Mines Using Machine Learning and Empirical Models: Advancing Sustainable Mining and Minimizing Environmental Footprint

by Nafiu Olanrewaju Ogunsola and Hendrik Grobler

Mining 2026, 6(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining6020032 - 7 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 842

Abstract

Blasting-induced ground vibrations, typically quantified by peak particle velocity (PPV), pose one of the most critical environmental challenges in surface mining and can damage nearby structures and disrupt surrounding ecosystems. Consequently, the development of reliable and accurate predictive models is essential for designing [...] Read more.

Blasting-induced ground vibrations, typically quantified by peak particle velocity (PPV), pose one of the most critical environmental challenges in surface mining and can damage nearby structures and disrupt surrounding ecosystems. Consequently, the development of reliable and accurate predictive models is essential for designing safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable blasting operations. This study develops a robust predictive framework using a harmonized database of 506 blasting events, from which 386 high-quality records were retained after preprocessing to model PPV as a function of charge per delay (Q), monitoring distance (R), and rock mass rating (RMR). Several machine learning (ML) algorithms, including artificial neural networks trained using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (ANN-LM), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and decision trees (DT), were evaluated alongside conventional empirical models such as the USBM, Ambraseys–Hendron, Langefors–Kihlstrom, and BIS. To further enhance predictive capability, two optimization strategies, Bayesian optimization (BO) and differential evolution (DE), were applied to the GPR model, producing optimized BO-GPR and DE-GPR variants. Model performance was assessed using the correlation coefficient (r), variance accounted for (VAF), mean absolute error (MAE), and relative root mean square error (RRMSE). Results indicate that the BO-GPR model achieved the best predictive performance during testing for both the two-input (Q, R) and three-input (Q, R, RMR) configurations, with r values of 0.97426 and 0.98381, respectively, and VAF values exceeding 94%. SHAP analysis revealed monitoring distance as the dominant attenuating factor controlling PPV. The optimized framework provides an accurate, interpretable tool for vibration prediction and precision blast design, supporting environmentally responsible, sustainable mining operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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16 pages, 3621 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Rock Mass Discontinuity on Blast-Induced Vibration Attenuation in Quarry

by Chi-Han Wang, Yung-Chin Ding and Fu-Hao Lee

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3990; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083990 - 20 Apr 2026

Viewed by 697

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of rock mass discontinuities on blast-induced ground vibration attenuation in a marble quarry in eastern Taiwan. A total of 53 blasts and 106 vibration records were collected and analyzed using image-based rock mass characterization with WipFrag (Version 4) [...] Read more.

This study investigates the influence of rock mass discontinuities on blast-induced ground vibration attenuation in a marble quarry in eastern Taiwan. A total of 53 blasts and 106 vibration records were collected and analyzed using image-based rock mass characterization with WipFrag (Version 4) software. Discontinuity conditions were quantified through the joint factor (JF), defined by the median size (D50) and maximum size (D100) from cumulative size distribution curves. The PPV (peak particle velocity) data were fitted using the USBM, Sadovsky, and a modified Simangunsong equation incorporating a discontinuity correction factor. The modified Simangunsong model yielded the highest correlation (R² = 0.8632), followed by the Sadovsky (R² = 0.8067) and USBM (R² = 0.7674) equations, indicating improved in-sample fitting performance when discontinuity effects are included. The results show that explicitly considering discontinuity effects enhances the reliability of PPV estimates for the studied site and that highly fractured rock masses with smaller block sizes result in greater vibration attenuation. The study demonstrates that a practical approach to quantify discontinuities through image analysis and embedding them into empirical PPV attenuation models can be used to refine quarry blasting design for vibration control purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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17 pages, 1829 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Cultivating Lavandula dentata in Coal-Waste Technosols: Implications for Essential Oil Production and Post-Mining Restoration

by Arthur Cesa Venturella, Eduardo Kercher de Oliveira, Jéssica Weiler, Eduardo Miranda Ethur and Ivo André Homrich Schneider

Mining 2026, 6(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining6010025 - 21 Mar 2026

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Abstract

This study assessed the feasibility of cultivating Lavandula dentata in Technosols produced from fine and coarse coal mining waste, focusing on plant development, substrate functionality, essential oil production, and post-mining ecosystem restoration. The Technosols were formulated using coal waste from the Moatize Coal [...] Read more.

This study assessed the feasibility of cultivating Lavandula dentata in Technosols produced from fine and coarse coal mining waste, focusing on plant development, substrate functionality, essential oil production, and post-mining ecosystem restoration. The Technosols were formulated using coal waste from the Moatize Coal Mine, Mozambique, combined or not in different configurations with agricultural soil and amended with sewage sludge (3% organic matter) and chemical fertilizer to ensure adequate nutrient availability. The experiments were conducted in 30 L containers, performed in triplicate for each experimental group. All settings allowed good plant growth, although the treatment that used only fine waste presented the closest performance to agricultural soil in terms of the production of aerial biomass. In this case, the dried biomass production of the shoots reached an average of 165 g per pot over 8 months (with a standard deviation of 20.3). The study showed a positive correlation between plant development and the available water capacity of the substrates. The plant tissue of L. dentata, in all the Technosols configurations studied, presented a similar composition to the control, with a biomass composition within the standard range established by the literature. The essential oil production ranged from 0.3 to 0.7% (m/m), averaging 0.5% (m/m), with chemical characteristics also alike the control trial. Technosols composed of coal waste from Moatize appear to be an alternative, both to provide a suitable destination for mining waste and to provide conditions for the revegetation and recovery of degraded areas by coal mining. This avoids the commissioning of nearby areas to supply soil for the restoration process. L. dentata, in addition to its various medical, ornamental, and aromatic uses, has potential as an “ecological trigger” in the restoration process with environmental and socioeconomic benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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31 pages, 16922 KB  

Open AccessReview

Recycle and Reuse of Calcium-Rich Waste in Brownfield: Review of Practices of Sludge Pond Reuse, Upper Kama Region (Russia)

by Evgeniya Ushakova, Elena Kalinina, Pavel Belkin, Elena Menshikova, Sergey Blinov, Roman Perevoshchikov and Vladimir Pugach

Mining 2026, 6(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining6010024 - 17 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1343

Abstract

The organization of safe industrial waste management is an integral part of the global sustainable development strategy. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the processing and recycling potential of strongly alkaline (pH 11–12) sediments accumulated in an abandoned sludge pond (Berezniki, Perm [...] Read more.

The organization of safe industrial waste management is an integral part of the global sustainable development strategy. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the processing and recycling potential of strongly alkaline (pH 11–12) sediments accumulated in an abandoned sludge pond (Berezniki, Perm Krai, Russia), based on the initial characterization of their material composition. Sediment samples from the sludge pond were collected, layer-by-layer, over the entire depths of four sediment cores. The collected samples have the following characteristics: sediment particles are composed of up to 80% fine particles < 0.05 mm, with up to 20% fine particles < 0.002 mm. XRD data showed that the sediment consisted of calcite (67.7 wt.%), halite (11.5 wt.%), and other hydrogenic and terrigenous minerals. XRF data also found that the primary constituents in the sediment are CaO (up to 40%), Cl (up to 13%), and LOI (up to 35%). The results of the material composition study indicate a high degree of similarity between the accumulated sediments and solid waste from soda ash production, known as ammonia–soda residue (ASR). Based on experience with calcium-containing waste, this study recommends options for the secondary use of sludge, identifying two main possibilities: environmental protection and construction. We have developed an algorithm for the recycling and reuse of sludge that identifies risks, limitations, and recommended next steps. However, significant knowledge gaps regarding the environmental, toxicological, and the physical–mechanical properties of sludge prevent us from recommending a specific disposal option. The results of this review will serve as guidelines to help develop a roadmap for the disposal process. They will also inform decision-makers about sustainability issues related to industrial waste disposal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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27 pages, 10326 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Acid-Generating and Acid-Neutralizing Reactions in the Pyrite-Rich Waste Rock Composing the Main Waste Stockpile at the Red Dog Mine, Alaska, USA

by Jeff B. Langman, Amanda Balogh, D. Eric Aston, Timothy E. Link, Emile Milan, Bridget Eckhardt and Sarah Mulzet

Geosciences 2026, 16(3), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16030125 - 17 Mar 2026

Viewed by 965

Abstract

Mining at the Red Dog Mine generated a 60 million-tonne waste rock stockpile that produces acid rock drainage with pH values typically below 3. The drainage chemistry is controlled by the competing kinetics of acid-generating iron sulfide weathering and acid-neutralizing carbonate and phosphate [...] Read more.

Mining at the Red Dog Mine generated a 60 million-tonne waste rock stockpile that produces acid rock drainage with pH values typically below 3. The drainage chemistry is controlled by the competing kinetics of acid-generating iron sulfide weathering and acid-neutralizing carbonate and phosphate dissolution. To evaluate the interaction of these reactions, waste rock was collected from the stockpile by drilling a borehole from the surface to a depth of 52 m, terminating at the shale bedrock. A temporal paste pH test was conducted to extend the utility of the static paste pH test to a continuous (30 min) measurement of pH and ORP over a 24-h period. The 24-h paste pH results revealed multiple acid-generating and acid-neutralizing reactions: pH values ranged from 3.31 to 6.96. Mineralogical analysis indicated initial acidic conditions in 12 of the depth intervals (upper and lower zones) were due to the release of stored acidity from soluble iron sulfate minerals. Subsequent pH increases were driven by calcite dissolution and likely phosphate and clay mineral acid-neutralizing reactions. Conversely, late-stage pH decreases in the lower middle zone indicated the presence of highly reactive/available iron sulfide surfaces, which allowed for earlier acid generation compared to less reactive/available iron sulfide minerals in other zones. The utility of this temporal paste pH test and associated mineral analysis is to understand the mineralogical controls on early temporal acid generation to guide batch reactor testing of remaining acid potential under saturated conditions. This sequential approach provides critical information for predicting long-term acid generation and information management of the stockpile for mine site remediation and closure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution and Remediation in Mining Areas)

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