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Improved mine waste characterisation through static blended test work
Citation
Parbhakar-Fox, A and Fox, N and Hill, R and Ferguson, T and Maynard, B, Improved mine waste characterisation through static blended test work, Minerals Engineering, 116 pp. 132-142. ISSN 0892-6875 (2018) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Crown copyright 2017. Published by Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2017.09.011
Abstract
Prediction of the geoenvironmental characteristics of mine waste materials typically relies on the static and
kinetic testing of individual waste units. In reality, waste rock piles are heterogeneous landforms containing
potentially acid forming (PAF) units juxtaposed with non-acid forming (NAF) units. Despite this, predictive
geoenvironmental test work programs rarely characterise blends of waste materials. Through undertaking laboratory-
based blended static testing and mineralogical assessments, a first insight into the leachate chemistry of
a waste landform can be ascertained. This was tested using three waste units (Type A – alkaline, B – neutral and
D – PAF; n=31) obtained from the Savage River mine, Western Tasmania. Seven daughter blend types (1–7;
n=42) were prepared using different ratios of the individual waste types, and characterised by acid base
accounting and mineralogical techniques. Blend types were NAF when a maximum of 20% of Type D was used,
with daughter blend 4 (90% Type A +10% Type D) the most inert when screened against ANZECC (2000)
aquatic protection trigger values. This study demonstrates that through first-pass static blended testing, opportunities
exist to improve waste-rock handling practices and design NAF waste piles once field trials, involving
a range of particle sizes, have been conducted.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | acid rock drainage, waste management, sulphide, mining, mine planning, static testing, geoenvironmental, prediction |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Geochemistry |
Research Field: | Exploration geochemistry |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Evaluation, allocation, and impacts of land use |
UTAS Author: | Parbhakar-Fox, A (Dr Anita Parbhakar-Fox) |
UTAS Author: | Fox, N (Dr Nathan Fox) |
ID Code: | 121533 |
Year Published: | 2018 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 10 |
Deposited By: | CODES ARC |
Deposited On: | 2017-10-02 |
Last Modified: | 2019-03-08 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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