Skip to main content
Log in

Field Study of the Chemical and Physical Stability of Highly Sulphide-Rich Tailings Stored Under a Shallow Water Cover

Field Study der chemische und physikalische Stabilität von hoch sulfidreichen Tailingsmaterialen gelagert unter einem flachen Wasser Abdeckung

Estudio de campo de la estabilidad física y química de colas altamente ricas en sulfuros almacenadas bajo una cobertura superficial de agua

封存于浅埋覆水层下的富含硫化物尾矿物理、化学稳定性现场试验

  • Technical Article
  • Published:
Mine Water and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Highly sulfide-rich (approximately 83 % pyrite), potentially acid-generating mine tailings were sub-aqueously deposited in the Don Rouyn old quarry pit from 1997 to 2000. The site covers approximately 7 ha near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Various in situ measurements and laboratory tests were performed during the summer and autumn of 2008, 2009, and 2010 to: characterize tailings samples; monitor water quality in the final effluent, shallow water cover, and groundwater around the pit, and; study tailings erosion and resuspension. In situ measurements included the vertical profile and spatial distribution of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, and redox potential. Suspended tailings, wind speed, and direction were monitored. Groundwater, cover water, and final effluent water samples were chemically analyzed and suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) was determined. Physical, mineralogical, and chemical tailings properties were also determined. Results show that the quality of the groundwater, cover, and effluent waters complied with Canadian and Quebec regulations. SSCs were also within regulation limits. No association was found between SSC and hydrodynamic conditions (wind speed, fetch, etc.). Although theoretical calculations indicated a critical wind speed of at least 10 m/s for tailings resuspension, suspended sediment was observed for wind speeds at <10 m/s.

Zusammenfassung

Im alten Tagebau Don Rouyn wurden von 1997 bis 2000 sehr sulfidreiche, potentiell Säure produzierende Tailingsmaterialen abgelagert. Die Deponie hat eine Fläche von ca. 7 ha und befindet sich nahe Rouyn-Noranda in Quebec. Verschiedene Feld- und Labormessungen wurden im Sommer und Herbst 2008, 2009 und 2010 durchgeführt: Charakterisierung von Tailingsproben, Monitoring des abfließenden Wassers, des Überstandswassers und des Grundwassers in der Umgebung sowie Untersuchung der Erosion und Resuspension des Tailingsmaterials. Die Feldmessungen umfassten vertikale Profile und räumliche Verteilung von pH-Wert, Temperatur, gelöstem Sauerstoff, elektrischer Leitfähigkeit und Redoxpotential. Es wurden die Windgeschwindigkeit und –richtung sowie die Gehalte an suspendiertem Tailingsmaterial überwacht. Die Proben aus Grundwasser, Überstandswasser und abfließendem Wasser wurden chemisch analysiert und die Konzentration an suspendiertem Feststoff (SSCs) wurde gemessen. Außerdem wurden die physikalischen, mineralogischen und chemischen Eigenschaften der Tailingsmaterialien bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Qualität von Grundwasser, Überstandswasser und abfließendem Wasser die Anforderungen der Regularien für Kanada und Quebec erfüllten. Auch SSCs lag unterhalb der Grenzwerte. Es wurde kein Zusammenhang zwischen SSCs und den hydrodynamischen Bedingungen (Windgeschwindigkeit, Windfetch usw.) gefunden. Obwohl theoretische Berechnungen Windgeschwindigkeiten von mindestens 10 m/s als kritisch für die Resuspension von Tailingsmaterial auswiesen, wurde suspendiertes Sediment bei Windgeschwindigkeiten <10 m/s beobachtet.

Resumen

Las colas de una mina, altamente ricas en sulfuros (aproximadamente un 83% de pirita), potencialmente generadoras de ácido, fueron depositadas debajo de una capa acuosa en el hoyo de la vieja cantera Don Rouyn desde 1997 a 2000. El sitio cubre aproximadamente 7 hectáreas cerca de Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Diferentes medidas in situ y studios de laboratorio fueron realizados durante el verano y el otoño de 2008, 2009 y 2010 para: caracterizar las muestras de colas, monitorear la calidad de agua en el efluente final, en el agua superficial de la cobertura y el agua subterránea alrededor del hoyo, y estudios de erosión y resuspensión de las colas. Las medidas in situ incluyeron el perfil vertical y la distribución de los valores de pH, temperatura, oxígeno disuelto, conductividad eléctrica y potencial redox. Se monitorearon las colas suspendidas y la dirección y velocidad del viento. Las muestras de aguas subterráneas, agua de cobertura y del efluente final fueron analizadas químicamente y también se determinaron las concentraciones de sedimentos en suspensión (SSCs). Las propiedades físicas, mineralógicas y químicas de las colas fueron también determinadas. Los resultados muestran que las calidades del agua subterránea, del agua de cobertura y del efluente final cumplieron con las reguladas canadienses y de Quebec. Las SSCs también estuvieron dentro de los límites de regulación. No se encontraron asociaciones entre SSC y las condiciones hidrodinámicas (velocidad del viento, remolinos, etc.). Aunque los cálculos teóricos indicaron que una velocidad crítica del viento de al menos 10 m/s para la resuspensión de las colas, sedimento suspendido fue también observado para velocidades menores a 10 m/s.

抽象

富含硫化物尾矿(黄铁矿含量约83%)具有较强潜在产酸能力。自1997~2000年,富含硫化物尾矿被封存于Don Rouyn地区废弃采坑之内。该采坑位于加拿大魁北克省(Quebec) Rouyn-Noranda,占地面积近7公顷。为描述尾矿样品特征,监测采坑外排水、浅埋覆水层和采坑内地下水的水质,研究尾矿风化与再悬浮特征,分别于2008年、2009年、2010年的夏季与秋季完成系列现场监测与室内试验。现场监测指标包括pH值、温度、溶解氧、电导率和氧化还原电位,进一步分析了这些指标的垂向变化及横向空间分布特征。现场监测的另一组指标是悬浮尾矿浓度、风速和风向。通过地下水、覆水层和外排水的水化学分析确定了悬浮沉积物浓度(suspended sediment concentrations, SSCs)及尾矿的物理、矿物学和化学特征。研究结果表明:地下水、覆水层和外排水水质都满足加拿大与魁北克相关规范要求;悬浮沉积物浓度(SSCs)亦在相应规范限定界限之内;悬浮沉积物浓度(SSCs)与水动力条件(风速、吹程等)无关。尽管理论计算表明使尾矿再悬浮的最小临界风速为10m/s,但是风速小于10m/s时亦可现场监测到悬浮物存在。

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adu-Wusu C, Yanful EK, Mian MH (2001) Field evidence of resuspension in a mine tailings pond. Can Geotech J 38:796–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Appelo CAJ, Postma D (1994) Geochemistry groundwater and pollution. AA Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D3977-97 (2007) Standard test methods for determining sediment concentration in water samples. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM Guideline D6771-02 (2002) Standard practice for low-flow purging and sampling for wells and devices used for ground-water quality investigations. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken. www.astm.org/cgibin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/PAGES/D6771.htm

  • Aubertin M, Bussière B, Bernier L (2002) Environnement et gestion des rejets miniers. Edition Presses internationales Polytechnique, Manuel sur Cédérom, Montréal

    Google Scholar 

  • Awoh AS (2012) Comportement physique et chimique des résidus hautement sulfureux sous un recouvrement en eau. Thèse de Doctorat en sciences de l’environnement, UQAT, Rouyn-Noranda

    Google Scholar 

  • Banton O, Bangoy LM (1999) Hydrogéologie, multiscience environnementale des eaux souterraines. PUQ/AUPELF, Sainte-Foy

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaud V (2005) Étude de l’efficacité du recouvrement en eau pour limiter la génération de drainage minier acide, site Don Rouyn. Univ du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (unpubl)

  • Benson BB, Krause D Jr (1984) Concentration and isotopic fractionation of dissolved oxygen in freshwater and seawater in equilibrium with the atmosphere. Limnol Oceanogr 29:620–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bussière B (2007) Hydro-geotechnical properties of hard rock tailings from metal mines and emerging geo-environmental disposal approaches. Can Geotech J 44:1019–1052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catalan LJJ (1998) Prédiction à long terme de la qualité de l’eau dans l’ancienne carrière Don Rouyn. Révision 1,0, Noranda, Centre de Technologie Noranda, Programme d’environnement (unpubl)

  • Catalan LJJ, Yanful EK (2002) Sediment-trap measurements of suspended mine tailings in shallow water cover. J Environ Eng 128:19–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CEAEQ (2004) Détermination des solides en suspension totaux et volatils dans les effluents: méthode gravimétrique. http://www.ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/methodes/pdf/MA104SS11.pdf

  • CERC (1984) Shore Protection Manual. US Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, US Gov Printing Office, Washington, DC, USA

  • CERC (2002) Coastal engineering manual. US Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, US Gov Printing Office, Washington, DC, USA

  • Chien N, Wan Z (1998) Mechanics of sediment transport. ASCE Press, Reston

    Google Scholar 

  • Çubukçu HE, Ersoy O, Aydar E, Çakir U (2006) WDS versus silicon drift detector EDS—a case report for the comparison of quantitative chemical analyses of natural silicate minerals. Micron. doi:10.1016/j.micron.2006.11.004

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Justice, Canada (2011) Metal mining effluent regulations (SOR/2002-222). http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/SOR-2002-222.pdf

  • Environment Canada (2008) National climate data and information archive. http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/

  • Environment Canada (2010) National climate data and information archive. http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/

  • GEOCON (1997a) Projet de déposition de résidus miniers, ancienne carrière Don Rouyn: Étude hydrogéologique. Fonderie Horne, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada, dossier M-6148 (600996) (unpubl)

  • GEOCON (1997b) Plan de restauration, ancienne carrière Don Rouyn. Fonderie Horne, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada, dossier M-6270 (601148) (unpubl)

  • Health Canada (2008) Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality. Government of Canada. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/2010-sum_guide-res_recom/index-eng.php

  • Hillel D (1998) Environmental soil physics. Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmström H, Öhlander B (1999) Oxygen penetration and subsequent reactions in flooded sulphidic mine tailings: a study at Stekenjokk, northern Sweden. Appl Geochem 14:747–759

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson HK (1999) Simple expressions for correcting wind speed data for elevation. Coastal Eng 36:263–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kachhwal LK, Yanful EK (2010) Field measurement of re-suspension in a tailings pond by acoustic and optical backscatter instruments. In: Proceedings of the 63rd Canadian geotechnical conference and 6th Canadian permafrost conference, Calgary, AB, Canada

  • Kachhwal LK, Yanful EK, Lanteigne L (2010) Shallow water cover technology for reactive tailings management: a case study of field measurement and model predictions. Water Air Soil Pollut. doi:10.1007/s11270-010-0429-6. http://www.eng.uwo.ca/people/eyanful/water.pdf

  • Landry B, Pageau JG, Gauthier M, Bernard J, Beaudin J, Duplessis D (1995) Prospection minière. Mont-Royal (Québec), Modulo Editeur

  • Lawrence RW, Wang Y (1997) Determination of neutralization potential in the prediction of acid rock drainage. In: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on acid rock drainage (ICARD), Vancouver, BC, Canada, pp 449–464

  • Li M, Aubé B, St-Arnaud L (1997) Consideration in the use of shallow water covers for decommissioning reactive tailings. In: Proceeding of the ICARD, Vancouver, BC, Canada, vol I, pp 115–130

  • Mbonimpa M, Awoh AS, Beaud V, Bussière B, Leclerc J (2008) Spatial water quality distribution in the shallow water cover used to limit acid mine drainage generation at the Don Rouyn site (QC, Canada). In: Proceedings of the 61st Canadian geotechnical conference and the 9th joint CGS/IAH-CNC groundwater conference, Edmonton, AB, Canada, pp 855–862

  • MDDEP (2005) Directive 019 sur l’industrie minière. Ministère du Développement Durable, Environnement et Parcs. http://collections.banq.qc.ca/ark:/52327/bs52322

  • MDDEP (2008) Critères de qualité de l’eau de surface au Québec. Ministère du Développement Durable, Environnement et Parcs. http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/eau/criteres_eau

  • MDDEP (2011) Guide d’échantillonnage à des fins d’analyses environnementales: Cahier 3 échantillonnages des eaux souterraines. Ministère du Développement Durable, Environnement et Parcs. http://www.ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/documents/publications/echantillonnage/eaux_soutC3.pdf

  • MEND (1991) A manual of chemical evaluation procedures for the prediction of acid mine drainage generation from mine wastes. MEND report 1.16.1b, MEND, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • MEND (2001) Prevention and Control. MEND report 5.4.2d, Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND), Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Merkus HG (2009) Particle size measurements: fundamentals, practice, quality. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Mian MH, Yanful EK (2004) Analysis of wind-driven resuspension of metal mine sludge in a tailings pond. J Environ Eng Sci 3:119–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mian MF, Yanful EK (2007) Erosion characteristics and resuspension of sub-aqueous mine tailings. J Environ Eng Sci 6:175–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mian MF, Yanful EK, Martinuzzi R (2007) Measuring the onset of mine tailings erosion. Can Geotech J 44:473–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millet B, Robert C, Grillas P, Coughlan C, Banas D (2010) Numerical modelling of vertical suspended solids concentrations and irradiance in a turbid shallow system (Vaccares, Se France). Hydrobiologia 638:161–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peacey V, Yanful EK (2003) Metal mine tailings and sludge CO-deposition in a tailings pond. Water Air Soil Pollut 145:307–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peacey V, Yanful EK, Payne R (2002) Field study of geochemistry and solute fluxes in flooded uranium tailings. Can Geotech J 39:357–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rescan (1996) Geochemical assessment of equity silver tailings pond. MEND Project 2.11.5c, Vancouver, BC, Canada Service des eaux industrielles, Envirodoq: ENV/2005/0120

  • Samad MA, Yanful EK (2005) A design approach for selection the optimum water cover depth for subaqueous disposal of sulfide mine tailing. Can Geotech J 42:207–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vigneault BP, Campbell GC, Tessier A, De Vitre R (2001) Geochemical changes in sulfidic mine tailings stored under a shallow water cover. Water Res 35:1066–1076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vigneault B, Kwong YTJ, Warren L (2007) Assessing the long term performance of a shallow water cover to limit oxidation of reactive tailings at Louvicourt Mine. MEND report 2.12.2, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Villeneuve M (2004) Évaluation du comportement géochimique à long terme de rejets miniers à faible potentiel de génération d’acide à l’aide d’essais cinétiques. Mémoire de maîtrise, Chaire industrielle CRSNG Polytechnique-UQAT, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada

  • Vlag D (1992) A model for predicting waves and suspended silt concentration in a shallow lake. Hydrobiologia 235(236):119–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanful EK, Catalan LJJ (2002) Predicted and field measured resuspension of flooded mine tailings. J Environ Eng 128:341–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanful EK, Mian MH (2003) The nature and implications of resuspension in subaqueous sulfide tailings. In: Proceedings of the 6th ICARD, Cairns, QLD, Australia, pp 1177–1183

  • Yanful EK, Verma A, Straatman AS (2000) Turbulence driven metal release from suspended pyrrhotite tailings. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 126:1157–1165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young RA (1995) The Rietveld method. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors received financial support from NSERC and from the participants in the Industrial NSERC Polytechnique-UQAT Chair on Environment and Mine Wastes Management (www.polymtl.ca/enviro-geremi). The research was also partially supported by an NSERC Discovery Grant. The authors thank the Xstrata Copper Horne Smelter, and particularly Jacques Leclerc, Alain Lebel, and René Lavallière for their collaboration. The URSTM staff is also thanked for their help with the laboratory and field work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Akué Sylvette Awoh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Awoh, A.S., Mbonimpa, M. & Bussière, B. Field Study of the Chemical and Physical Stability of Highly Sulphide-Rich Tailings Stored Under a Shallow Water Cover. Mine Water Environ 32, 42–55 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-012-0213-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-012-0213-5

Keywords

Navigation