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Column Kinetic Tests Assessing Geochemical Behavior of Mine Wastes in the Jerada Coal District (Morocco)

Kinetische Säulenversuche zur Einschätzung des geochemischen Verhaltens von Bergbaurückständen im Jerada Kohlendistrikt (Marokko)

Ensayos cinéticos en columna para relevar el comportamiento de residuos mineros en el distrito del carbón en Jerada (Marruecos)

动态淋溶柱试验评价摩洛哥Jerada矿区矸石地球化学行为

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Abstract

The Jerada anthracite mine in Morocco was abandoned in 2001 after producing approximately 20 million tonnes of solid waste. The acid generating potential of these wastes was determined by performing tests on five samples collected from relatively older and more recent waste deposits. No carbonate minerals were identified. Pyrite was the only sulphide mineral observed and much of it had been completely transformed into Fe-oxides. Analysis of the waste indicated low levels (<1 %) of Ca and Mg, while Fe and Al concentrations generally exceeded 5 %. Modified Sobek static tests and column kinetic tests were conducted for 24 months. The static test results were not conclusive (20 <net neutralising potential <20 Kg CaCO3/t). Leachates from the kinetic tests for three of the five samples showed an initially acidic pH, while those of the remaining two became acidic by the end of the tests. Sulfate concentrations (SO4 2−) decreased over time from 5000 to 200 mg/L.

Zusammenfassung

Die Jerada Anthrazitmine in Marokko wurde 2001 aufgegeben, nachdem etwa 20 Millionen Tonnen fester Rückstände produziert worden waren. Das säurebildende Potential der Rückstände wurde an fünf Proben relativ älterer und jüngerer Rückstandslager untersucht. Karbonatminerale wurden nicht identifiziert. Das einzige beobachtete Sulfidmineral war Pyrit, wovon ein Großteil völlig in Fe-Oxyde umgewandelt worden war. Analysen der Proben indizierten geringe Gehalte (<1 %) von Ca und Mg, wogegen Fe und Al Konzentrationen zumeist über 5 % lagen. Modifizierte statische Sobek-Tests und kinetische Säulenversuche wurden über 24 Monate ausgeführt. Die Ergebnisse der statischen Tests waren nicht konklusiv. Sickerwässer aus kinetischen Tests hatten in drei von fünf Proben anfangs sauren pH, wogegen die der übrigen zwei gegen Ende der Versuche sauer wurden. Sulfatkonzentrationen (SO4 2−) fielen mit der Zeit von 5000 auf 200 mg/L.

Resumen

La mina de antracita Jerada en Marruecos fue abandonada en 2001 después de producir aproximadamente 20 millones de toneladas de residuos sólidos. La potencial generación de ácido de estos residuos fue determinada mediante ensayos realizados sobre cinco muestras colectados en los depósitos más recientes y en los más antiguos. No se identificaron carbonatos. El único sulfuro detectado fue pirita aunque buena parte ya se había transformado completamente en óxidos de Fe. El análisis de los residues indicó bajos niveles (<1 %) de Ca y Mg, mientras que las concentraciones de Fe y Al generalmente exceden el 5 %. Se realizaron ensayos estáticos Sobek modificado y ensayos cinéticos en columna por 24 meses. Los resultados de los ensayos estáticos no fueron concluyentes. Los lixiviados de los ensayos cinéticos tuvieron un pH ácido desde el comienzo para tres de las cinco muestras mientras que para los otros dos, los lixiviados se volvieron ácidos hacia el final de los ensayos. Las concentraciones de sulfato (SO4 2−) decrecieron en el tiempo desde 5000 hasta 200 mg/L.

摘要

摩洛哥Jerada无烟煤矿井2001年闭坑,遗留约2000万吨废弃矸石。从较老和较新矸石堆上采集矸石样品五个,试验研究矸石产酸潜力。五个样品不含碳酸盐矿物,黄铁矿为检测到的唯一硫化物且大部分已变为铁氧化物。矸石Ca和Mg含量较低(<1 %)而Fe和Al含量大于5 %。改进的Sobek静态试验与动态柱试验时间24个月。静态试验未获得确定性结果。三个动态试验样品的滤液在试验初已显酸性,其余两个动态试验样品的滤液在试验末才呈酸性。在试验期间,硫酸盐浓度(SO4 2−)从5000 减至 200 mg/L。

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Canada Research Chairs on the Restoration of Abandoned Mine Sites and Integrated Management of Sulphidic Mine Waste using Fill Technology, and the Unite de Recherche et de Service en Technologie Minérale (UQAT), for their financial and technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’hydrobiologie et écologie générale Centre Oriental des Sciences et Technologies de l’Eau (COSTE), Université Mohamed Premier (UMP), Boîte postale n° 524, code postal 60.000, Oujda, Morocco

    M. Battioui & M. Sbaa

  2. Institut de recherche en mines et en environnement, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445, Boul. de l’Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 5E4, Canada

    H. Bouzahzah & M. Benzaazoua

  3. Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cadi Ayyad, B.P549, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco

    R. Hakkou

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  1. M. Battioui
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Correspondence to H. Bouzahzah.

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Fig. 1

Configuration of the kinetic column test setups (PDF 1542 kb)

Fig. 2

Particle size distribution of Old1 sample (PDF 261 kb)

Fig. 3

X-ray maps (SEM) illustrating the oxidation of framboidal pyrite into Fe-oxide (Old1 sample) (PDF 6664 kb)

Fig. 4

Cumulative values of dissolved sulfate versus neutralization products from Jerada mine wastes in column kinetic test (PDF 286 kb)

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Battioui, M., Bouzahzah, H., Benzaazoua, M. et al. Column Kinetic Tests Assessing Geochemical Behavior of Mine Wastes in the Jerada Coal District (Morocco). Mine Water Environ 35, 497–507 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-016-0395-3

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