Innovative applications of automated, SEM-based mineralogical analysis to acid rock drainage and metal leaching characterization

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F67985831%3A_____%2F22%3A00577788" target="_blank" >RIV/67985831:_____/22:00577788 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.inap.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ICARD-Proceedings-update-14-03-23.pdf" target="_blank" >https://www.inap.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ICARD-Proceedings-update-14-03-23.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Innovative applications of automated, SEM-based mineralogical analysis to acid rock drainage and metal leaching characterization

Original language description

Mineralogical analysis is a cornerstone of geochemical characterization of acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching (ML). Automated scanning-electron microscope (SEM)-based methods of mineralogical analysis have become faster, more accurate, and are increasingly available for environmental geochemistry applications through commercial laboratories at competitive prices. Adaptation of automated SEM-based methods, many of which were developed for metallurgical applications, to environmental geochemistry allows for quantitative reckoning of bulk mineralogical composition, elemental deportment, mineral liberation, mineral grain size, mineral texture, and other customized explorations. This has led to exciting outcomes in applied geochemical characterization, since they allow for accurate accounting of mineral-weathering products, amorphous phases, and other phases that are either of low abundance or challenging to quantify via traditional mineralogical methods (i.e., X-Ray diffraction [XRD]). This paper explores the use of automated SEM-based mineralogical methods in mine environments to characterize ARD and ML, including specific examples of innovative applications to the evaluation of silicate neutralization potential, the characterization of challenging materials such as metalliferous organic-rich waste products, and forensic fingerprinting of metal transport. Combining automated SEM-based methods with other characterization tools (e.g., solid phase analysis, short-term leach tests, kinetic testing) has allowed for unparalleled understanding of site-specific metal-leaching processes (including metal sources) and acid-generation processes (e.g., mineral liberation and availability for reaction), and provided fit-for-purpose results with clear value added to geochemical characterization projects.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10504 - Mineralogy

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2022

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů