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Prediction of Acid Rock Drainage Using Field-Based Testing Tools
chapter
posted on 2023-05-22, 17:17 authored by Anita Parbhakar-Fox, John Aalders, Jackson, L, Bernd LottermoserTests currently used by the industry for acid rock drainage (ARD) prediction heavily utilize static geochemical tests. Instead, effective tools which allow for early domaining should be utilized as they can be perfonned on a greater number of samples, allowing for deposit-wide environmental characterization. These must be simple enough to perfonn in the core shed or field-laboratory to keep cost and tum-around time to a minimum. Simple field-based pH tests and chemical staining should be performed. In addition, mineralogical characterization methods for drill core materials i.e., an ARD focused logging code and the use of portable instruments (i.e., pXRF, Equotip) should be pursued. This chapter presents several field tools appropriate for ARD prediction. These tools were developed, tested and validated using drill core and waste rock materials obtained from several Australian mines with differing geology, mineralogy and mineralization style. This chapter demonstrates that by utilizing these field based tests, industry has the opportunity to achieve: (i) effective ARD prediction testwork; (ii) detailed deposit-wide characterization, (iii) development of best practice waste management plans; and (iv) identification of the most suitable rehabilitation options.
History
Publication title
Environmental Indicators in Metal MiningEditors
B LottermoserPagination
115-138ISBN
978-3-319-42729-4Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Springer International PublishingPlace of publication
SwitzerlandExtent
22Rights statement
Copyright 2017 Springer International Publishing SwitzerlandRepository Status
- Restricted