Abstract
An appealing technique to prevent and/or minimize pyrite oxidation and subsequent acid generation in mine waste sites is the formation of a protective coating on the surface of sulfide grains. To investigate the conditions for the formation of an efficient coating on pyritic tailings, column tests were performed. These tests involved the treatment with a coating solution, which was continuously recycled through the packed bed of tailings. The coating solution was consisted of SiO4 −4 oxyanions, an oxidant (H2O2), and adjusted to pH 6. The effect of the volume of coating solution per mass of material (L/S ratio), Si concentration and treatment duration on coating formation was studied. Based on the results, a protective coating can be developed on the pyrite particles following treatment with a solution of 0.1 mM Si concentration, which resulted in the reduction of sulfate release by 84% compared to non-treated pyrite samples.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Hellas Gold S.A. (Eldorado Gold Corporation) for providing the pyrite material. They would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.
Funding
This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund—ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)—Research Funding Program THALES. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund [grant number MIS 380038].
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Kollias, K., Mylona, E., Papassiopi, N. et al. Development of silica protective layer on pyrite surface: a column study. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 26780–26792 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0083-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0083-2