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Field Test to Restore Original Geochemical Conditions in a Flooded Mine Area-An Essential Milestone for the Complete Remediation of the Königstein Uranium Mine

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Abstract

Uranium was extracted in the Königstein uranium mine by in-situ leaching with sulfuric acid until 1990. The originally anoxic conditions in the ore body became oxic due to the leaching process and the dewatering of the mine workings. Under these conditions, acid and metals continue to be mobilized. A field test was performed on how to restore reductive conditions in an area of the mine workings with low flow velocities. The aim was to test the immobilisation of contaminants as a prerequisite for further flooding of the mine. The field test showed that it is possible to re-establish and maintain rather reductive geochemical in-situ-conditions, which is necessary to precipitate sulphides as well as reduce acidity and metal concentrations.

Zusammenfassung

Im Uranbergwerk Königstein wurde bis 1990 Uran durch in-situ Laugung mit Schwefelsäure gewonnen. Die ursprünglich anoxischen Verhältnisse im Erzkörper wurden durch den Laugungsprozess und die Grubenwasserhaltung oxisch. Unter diesen Bedingungen werden weiterhin Säure und Metalle mobilisiert. In einem Feldversuch wurde untersucht, wie die reduktiven Bedingungen in einem Bereich des Grubengebäudes mit geringen Fließgeschwindigkeiten wiederhergestellt werden können. Ziel war es dabei, die Immobilisierung von Schadstoffen als Voraussetzung für eine weitere Flutung der Grube zu testen. Der Feldversuch hat gezeigt, dass es möglich ist, reduktive geochemische in-situ-Bedingungen wiederherzustellen und aufrechtzuerhalten, wie sie für die Ausfällung von Sulfiden und die Verringerung des Säuregehalts und der Metallkonzentrationen erforderlich sind.

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Data availability

The data was collected as part of the field test described in the paper on behalf of Wismut GmbH. The data are the property of Wismut GmbH. Inquiries in this regard can be directed to the company.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wismut GmbH, Jagdschänkenstraße 29, 09117, Chemnitz, Germany

    Ulf Jenk & Nadine Kleditz

  2. Groundwater Consulting Institute Dresden (GFI), Meraner Str. 10, 01217, Dresden, Germany

    Felix Bilek

  3. Grundwasser Ingenieurbau Planung GmbH Dresden (GIP), Meraner Str. 10, 01217, Dresden, Germany

    Uli Uhlig

Authors
  1. Ulf Jenk
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  2. Nadine Kleditz
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  3. Felix Bilek
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  4. Uli Uhlig
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Correspondence to Felix Bilek.

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Jenk, U., Kleditz, N., Bilek, F. et al. Field Test to Restore Original Geochemical Conditions in a Flooded Mine Area-An Essential Milestone for the Complete Remediation of the Königstein Uranium Mine. Mine Water Environ 42, 50–58 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-023-00927-5

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