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Tailings Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the Abandoned Haveri Au–Cu Mine, SW Finland

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Abstract

Fourteen samples from the Haveri Au–Cu mine tailings were studied by reflected-light microcopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder-diffraction, and sequential extraction methods, and 12 water samples were analyzed for total and dissolved elements to delineate the extent of sulfide oxidation and its impact on nearby surface waters. Water-soluble, adsorbed-exchangeable-carbonate (AEC), Fe (oxy)hydroxides, Fe oxide, and Fe sulfide fractions were extracted sequentially. The oxidation layer was found to vary from 50 to 140 cm: the upper part was nearly depleted in primary sulfides, especially pyrrhotite [Fe(1−x)S] and pyrite (FeS2); in the lower part, discontinuous cemented layers were detected. Secondary Fe (oxy)hydroxides and Fe oxyhydroxysulfates were abundant in the oxidation layer and were slightly enriched in trace elements, including As (up to 80 mg/kg), Cu (300 mg/kg), and Zn (150 mg/kg). Almost half of the As (average 25 mg/kg) were present as secondary minerals susceptible to redissolution. The pH of the vadose tailings varied from 2.46 to neutral, and the total sulfur content varied from 1 to 6.5% (average 2.9%). Aqua regia extraction showed that the Haveri tailings are characterized by low concentrations of the elements Cd, Cr, Pd, and slightly elevated concentrations of As, which are present at very low concentrations in the surface water (<6 μg/L). However, runoff that flows on top of the tailings and discharges into the nearby lake carries Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn (concentrations of each range from 500 to 1,800 μg/L). Additionally, dissolution of sulfides and Fe precipitates may mobilize trace metals in the ground water. Thus, overall, there is a small continuous release of AMD into Lake Kirkkojärvi, but the environmental impacts to the lake are presently small.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for the work was provided by the Finnish Graduate School in Geology and the EU LIFE-Environment project RAMAS (which is focused on risk assessment and risk management procedures for arsenic in the Tampere region, Finland). Electron microprobe analyses were performed at the Bayerishces Geoinstitut under the EU Research Infrastructures: Transnational Access program (contract 5005320 (RITA)—High Pressure). The work was performed at the Helsinki University of Technology under the supervision of Dr. Kirsti Loukola-Ruskeeniemi. I thank my anonymous internal and journal reviewers for their constructive comments, Mikael Eklund from the Geological Survey of Finland for assisting in the field work, and Riitta Juvonen for assisting with the geochemical studies.

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  1. Geoenvironmental Technology Section, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology, PO Box 6200, 02015, TKK, Finland

    Annika Parviainen

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  1. Annika Parviainen
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Parviainen, A. Tailings Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the Abandoned Haveri Au–Cu Mine, SW Finland. Mine Water Environ 28, 291–304 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-009-0088-2

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