کنفرانس ملی مهندسی و مدیریت محیط زیست

صفحه اصلی / هفتمین کنفرانس ملی مهندسی و مدیریت محیط زیست

Acid-Generating Potential of Mineral Processing Residues

نویسندگان :

Ahmad Akhavan¹

1- سازمان پژوهش های علمی و صنعتی ایران

کلمات کلیدی :

Mine tailing،Pollution،Leaching،Net Acid Generation،Acid Production Capacity

چکیده :

The acid-generating capacity of mining wastes, particularly sulfidic materials, represents a serious environmental concern due to the potential for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and widespread contamination of water and soil. This study investigated the acid production potential of lead and zinc mine tailings from the Zanjan region. Two distinct waste types (S1 and S2) were identified at the disposal site and sampled for analysis. Evaluations were conducted using standard tests, including Acid Production Capacity (APC) and Net Acid Generation (NAG) tests. The results confirmed a high inherent potential for acid generation in both samples. The calculated Net Acid Generation (NAG) values for samples S1 and S2 were 19.6 and 29.4 kg H₂SO₄ per ton of tailing, respectively. These values classify the materials as Potentially Acid Forming (PAF). Consequently, the studied tailings pose a significant risk of acidic contamination if exposed to oxidizing conditions without proper management. Therefore, the precise determination of the lime requirement (neutralization ratio) is proposed as an essential first step in planning for the safe and sustainable disposal of these wastes. Implementing control measures such as capping or stabilization, alongside chemical neutralization, is imperative to mitigate the long-term environmental hazards of these tailings. This study underscores the necessity of incorporating acid generation criteria into the management strategy for sulfidic mining wastes.