Understanding the Mechanism of Arsenic Mobilisation and Behaviour in Tailings Dams
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Date
2017-06-20
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Ghana Mining Journal
Abstract
This study was carried out on leaching of tailings at 30 ᵒC and 40 ᵒC. The mineralogical and chemical composition of the
tailings material were determined by Quantitative X-Ray Diffractometry (QXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy
combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX). The study revealed that the tailings contain sulphides
(arsenopyrite and pyrite) which can leach to produce arsenic (As) and other ions in solution. The acid released during
leaching depends on the temperature of leaching. More acid was produced at higher temperature (40 ᵒC) than lower
temperature (30 ᵒC). It was established that arsenic precipitation from solution was higher at higher temperature (40 ᵒC) than
lower temperature (30 ᵒC). Mimicking the study in a typical tailings environment, it could be proposed that As mobilisation
will be enhanced at lower temperature (30 ᵒC) than at higher temperature (40 ᵒC).
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Citation
Koomson B., Asiam, E. K, Skinner, W., and Addai-Mensah, J., (2017), “Understanding the Mechanism of Arsenic Mobilisation and Behaviour in Tailings Dams”, Ghana Mining Journal, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 85 - 89.