Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrogeological evaluation of a prototype in-situ leach cell in unsaturated lead-zinc mine and mill wastes

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

Abstract

An abandoned waste impoundment located within a portion of the Bunker Hill Superfund Site constitutes a field research area for studying the feasibility of recovering heavy metals in-situ from unsaturated mine and mill wastes. A prototype in-situ leaching cell has been evaluated using liquid-phase tracer tests and other hydrogeologic tests prior to introducing a lixiviant. The results of the tests suggest that: 1) the cell can be operated excursion-free with a low-density lixiviant at an injection/withdrawal rate of approximately 0.32 Vs; and (2) each hydrogeologic unit is highly heterogeneous at the different scales studied.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Adams, J. A., 1989, “Evaluation of the Hydraulic Connection of Two Aquifers Underlying the Smelterville Flats Area”, M. S. Thesis, University of Idaho. 173 p.

  • Dames and Moore, 1990, “Bunker Hill Site RI/FS Task 3.0: Final Hydrogeologic Assessment, U. S. EPA Pre-Issuance Copy, 263 p.

  • Kirschner, F. E., Jr., 1991, “Hydrogeo-logical Evaluation of an In-situ Leach Cell in Abandoned Mine and Mill Wastes at the Kellogg, Idaho Superfund Site Using Tracers”, Ph. D.Dissertation, University of Idaho, 262 p.

  • Kirschner, F. E., Jr., I 5g4, “Testing the Feasibility of In-Situ Leaching Heavy Metals from the Smeiterville Flats Portion of the Kellogg Superfund Site”, pp 3–44, In: “Evaluation of Waste and Water Contamination for Closure of a Hard Rock Mine Complex”, October 30, U.S. Bureau of Mines Cooperative Agreement No.C027801, 287P.

  • Kunkel, D. in progress. M. S. Thesis, University of Idaho.

  • Norton, M. A., 1980, “Hydrogeology and Potential Reclamation Procedures for an Uncontrolled Mine Waste Deposition Site, Kellogg, Idaho”, M.S. Thesis, University of Idaho, 230 p.

  • Ralston, D. R. and Kunkel, D., 1989, “Characterisation of the Hydrostratigraphy of the Valley Alluvium and Tailings Near Smelterville Flats”, pp. 45–77, In: “Evaluation of Waste and Water Contamination for Closure of a Hard Rock Mine Complex”, June 30, U.S. Bureau of Mines Cooperative Agreement No. C027801, 310 p.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA

    Roy E. Williams & Frederick E. Kirschner

Authors
  1. Roy E. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Frederick E. Kirschner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Williams, R.E., Kirschner, F.E. Hydrogeological evaluation of a prototype in-situ leach cell in unsaturated lead-zinc mine and mill wastes. Mine Water and The Environment 11, 23–33 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918445

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918445

Keywords

Search

Navigation