Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Waste rock dump investigation at Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania): a geostatistical approach

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Roşia Montană, the largest European gold mine, could be re-opened. Environmental problems led to severe pollution of the Roşia and Abrud Rivers. The two main potentially toxic element (PTE) sources in mine sites are, in general, the abandoned underground workings and the piles of waste rock. Since the composition of waste rocks is often heterogeneous, this study faces the problem of estimating their mineralogical and chemical features starting from a set of sampling point. Twenty-five samples were collected on the main waste dump of the Roşia Montană mine following a virtual squared grid (knots distance about 25 m). Grain size, color, bulk chemistry, mineralogy, acid mine drainage potential and a set of selected PTE (Ag, As, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations were determined on each sample. In a first approximation two main waste rock groups were identified: WR1 bulk composition is dacite-dominated, while WR2 is andesite-dominated. In both of them the concentrations of PTEs are below the regulatory limits for soils, with the exception of As. In terms of acid mine drainage, WR1 has a net acid-producing potential, while WR2 has a net neutralizing potential. The anisotropy of WR properties were analysed by means of semi-variograms and displayed with contour maps. Application of positive matrix factorization for the analysis of all the data relative to waste rocks allowed defining, in a semi-quantitative way, the factors controlling pollution and their spatial distribution. The processing of score matrix G factor associated with the geostatistical elaboration promises to be a powerful tool to discern the composition of mine dumps and support the exploitation and remediation phases.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alderton DHM, Fallick AE (2000) The nature and genesis of gold-silver-tellurium mineralization in the Metalliferi Mountains of western Romania. Econ Geol 95:495–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Aleksander-Kwaterczak U, Ciszewski D (2012) Groundwater hydrochemistry and soil pollution in a catchment affected by an abandoned lead–zinc mine: functioning of a diffuse pollution source. Environ Earth Sci 65:1179–1189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azzali E (2011) Ochreous precipitates related to acid mine drainage (AMD) processes: mineralogy, chemistry, and desorption experiments. Plinius 37:147

    Google Scholar 

  • Azzali E, Carbone C, Marescotti P, Lucchetti G (2011) Relationships between soil color and mineralogical composition: application for the study of waste-rock dumps in abandoned mines. N Jb Miner Abh 188(1):75–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balintoni I (1994) Structure of the Apuseni Mountains. Rom J Tect Reg Geol 75(2):9–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron S, Tămaş CG, Cauuet B, Munoz M (2011) Lead isotope analyses of gold–silver ores from Roşia Montană (Romania): a first step of a metal provenance study of Roman mining activity in Alburnus Maior (Roman Dacia). J Archaeol Sci 38:1090–1100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berza T, Constantinescu E, Vlad SN (1998) Upper cretaceous magmatic series and associated mineralisation in the Carpathian-Balcan orogen. Resour Geol 48:291–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bird G, Brewer PA, Macklin MG, Serban M, Balteanu D, Driga B (2005) Heavy metal contamination in the Arieş river catchment, western Romania: Implications for development of the Roşia Montană gold deposit. J Geochem Explor 86:26–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blott SJ, Pye K (2001) GRADISTAT: a grain size distribution and statistics package for the analysis of unconsolidated sediments. Earth Surf Proc Land 26:1237–1248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blowes DW, Ptacek CJ, Jambor JL, Weisener CG (2003) The geochemistry of acid mine drainage. In: Lollar BS, Holland HD, Turekian KK (eds) Environmental geochemistry, Treatise on geochemistry, vol 9. Elsevier-Pergamon, Oxford, pp 149–204

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bzdusek PA, Christensen ER, Lee CM, Pakadeesusuk U, Freedman DC (2006) PCB congeners and dechlorination in sediments of Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, determined from cores collected in 1987 and 1988. Env Sci Technol 40:109–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlon C (ed) (2007). Derivation methods of soil screening values in Europe. A review and evaluation of national procedures towards harmonization. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, EUR 22805-EN, pp 306

  • Cauuet B, Ancel B, Rico C, Tămaş CG (2010) Mining archeology. In: Damian P (ed) Ancient mining networks. The French archaeological missions 1999–2001 Alburnus Maior I. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, pp 453–510

  • Comero S, Servida D, De Capitani L, Gawlik BM (2012) Geochemical characterization of an abandoned mine site: a combined positive matrix factorization and GIS approach compared with principal component analysis. J Geochem Explor 118:30–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costin D, Baciu C, Pop C, Varga I (2011) Field-based kinetic testing of ARD potential of the waste rock from Roşia montană ore deposit (Apuseni mountains, Romania) in IMWA 2011, p 677–681

  • Csontos L (1995) Tertiary tectonic evolution of the intra- Carpathian area: a review. Acta Vulcanologica 7(2):1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Csontos L, Nagymarosy A, Horvath F, Kovac M (1992) Tertiary evolution of the intra-Carpathian area; a model. Tectonophysics 208:221–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekemen Keskin T, Toptas S (2012) Heavy metal pollution in the surrounding ore deposits and mining activity: a case study from Koyulhisar (Sivas-Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 67:859–866

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez RN, Schulze DG (1992) Munsell colors of soils simulated by mixtures of goethite and hematite with kaolinite. Z Pflanzenernähr Bodenkd 155:473–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Florea RM, Stoica AI, Baiulescu GE, Capota P (2005) Water pollution in gold mining industry: a case study in Rosia Montana district, Romania. Environ Geol 48:1132–1136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forray FL, Hallbauer DK (2000) A study of the pollution of the Aries River (Romania) using capillary electrophoresis as analytical technique. Environ Geol 39(12):1372–1384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frau F, Marescotti P (2011) Mineralogical and geochemical techniques to investigate the relationships between minerals and contaminants in supergenic environments: an update review. N Jb Miner Abh 188(1):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang S, Conte MH (2009) Source/process apportionment of major and trace elements in sinking particles in the Sargasso sea. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 73:65–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang LM, Deng CB, Huang N, Huang XJ (2012) Multivariate statistical approach to identify heavy metal sources in agricultural soil around an abandoned Pb–Zn mine in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Environ Earth Sci. doi:10.1007/s12665-012-1831-8

    Google Scholar 

  • Ian Wark Research Institute, Environmental Geochemistry International (2002) ARD test handbook. AMIRA P387A project: prediction and kinetic control of acid mine dranaige. Amira International, Melbourne

  • Jambor JL, Blowes DW (1994) Short course on environmental geochemistry of sulphide-mine wastes. In: Mineralogical Association of Canada (ed) Short Course Handbook, vol 22, p 438

  • Korte F, Spiteller M, Coulston F (2000) The cyanide leaching gold recovery process is a nonsustainable technology with unacceptable impacts on ecosystems and humans: the disaster in Romania. Ecotox Environ Safe 46:241–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kouzmanov K, von Quadt A, Peytcheva I, Harris C, Heinrich CA, Roşu E, O’Connor G (2005) Rosia Poieni porphyry Cu-Au and Roşia Montana epithermal Au-Ag deposits, Apuseni Mts, Romania: timing of magmatism and related mineralisation. In: Cook NJ, Bonev IK (eds) Au-Ag-Te-Se deposits, IGCP Project 486 - Proceedings of the 2005 Field Workshop. Kiten, Bulgaria, pp 113–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Krige DG (1951) A statistical approach to some basic mine valuation problems on the Witwatersrand. J Chem Metallurgical Min Soc S Afr 52:119–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee E, Chan CK, Paatero P (1999) Application of positive matrix factorization in source apportionment of particulate pollutants in Hong Kong. Atmos Environ 33:3201–3212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu J, Jiang P, Wu L, Chang AC (2008) Assessing soil quality data by positive matrix factorization. Geoderma 145:259–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manske S, Ullrich T, Reynolds J, O’Connor GV (2004) Vein sets and hydrothermal alteration in the Cetate-Carnic Area, Roşia Montană District, Romania. Romanian J Miner Deposits 81:122–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Manske SL, Hedenquist JW, O’Connor G, Tamas C, Cauuet B, Leary S, Minut A (2006) Roşia Montană, Romania: Europe’s largest gold deposit. Soc Eco Geo Newsletter 64(1):9–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Marescotti P, Carbone C, De Capitani L, Grieco G, Lucchetti G, Servida D (2008) Mineralogical and geochemical characterisation of open pit tailing and waste rock dumps from the Libiola Fe-Cu sulfide mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Environ Geol 53:1613–1626

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marescotti P, Azzali E, Servida D, Carbone C, Grieco G, De Capitani L, Lucchetti G (2010) Mineralogical and geochemical spatial analyses of a waste-rock dump at the Libiola Fe-Cu sulfide mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Environ Earth Sci 61(1):187–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marza I, Tamas CG, Ghergari L (1997) Low sulfidation epithermal ore deposits from Roşia Montană, Metalliferi Mountains, Romania. Studi si Cercetari Geologice 42:3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Matheron G (1963) Principles of geostatistics. Econ Geol 58:1246–1266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morin KA, Hutt NM (2001) Environmental geochemistry of minesite drainage: practical theory and case studies. MDGA Publishing, Vancouver, B.C., Canada 333 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicolae I (1995) Tectonic setting of the ophiolites from the South Apuseni Mountains: Magmatic Arc and Marginal Basin. Rom J Tect Reg Geol 76:27–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordstrom DK, Alpers CN (1999) Geochemistry of acid mine waters. In: Plumlee GS, Logsdon MJ (eds) The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits. Rev Econ Geol, vol 6a, p 133–160

  • Nordstrom DK, Alpers CN, Ptacek CJ, Blowes DW (2000) Negative pH and Extremely Acidic Mine Waters from Iron Mountain. California Environ Sci Technol 34:254–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paatero P (1997) Least square formulation of robust non-negative factor analysis. Chemometr Intell Lab 37:23–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paatero P (2007a) User’s guide for Positive Matrix Factorization programs PMF2 and PMF3, Part1: tutorial. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Google Scholar 

  • Paatero P (2007b) User’s guide for positive matrix factorization programs PMF2 and PMF3, Part2: references. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Google Scholar 

  • Paatero P, Hopke PK, Song XH, Ramadan Z (2002) Understanding and controlling rotations in factor analytic models. Chemometr Intell Lab 60:253–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pécskay Z, Lexa J, Szakács A, Balogh K, Seghedi I, Konečny V, Kovacs M, Márton E, Kaliciak M, Széky-Fux V, Póka T, Gyarmati P, Edelstein O, Roşu E, Zeč B (1995) Space and time distribution of neogene–quaternary volcanism in the carpatho - pannonian region. Acta Vulcanologica 7:15–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Pécskay Z, Seghedi I, Downes H, Prychodko M, Mackiv B (2000) Geochronological and volcanological study of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from Transcarpathia. SW Ukraine Geol Carpath 51(2):83–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin Y, Kim E, Hopke PK (2006) The concentration and sources of PM2.5 in metropolitan New York City. Atmos Environ 40:312–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roşia Montană Gold Corporation (2006) Report on Environmetal Impact Assessment study

  • Roşu E, Pécskay Z, Stefan A, Popescu G, Panaiotu C, Panaiotu CE (1997) The evolution of the Neogene volcanism in the Apuseni Mountains (Rumania): constraints from new K-Ar data. Geol Carpath 48:353–359

    Google Scholar 

  • Roşu E, Seghedi I, Downes H, Alderton D, Szakács A, Pécskay Z, Panaiotu C, Nedelcu L (2004) Extension-related Miocene calc-alkaline magmatism in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania: Origin of magmas. Schweiz Miner Petrog 84:153–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Royden LH, Burchfiel BC (1989) Are systematic variations in thrust belt style related to boundary processes? (The Western Alps versus the Carpathians). Tectonics 8:51–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahy D, Schutte P (2006) Roşia Montană – Europe’s largest ephitermal breccia-hosted Au-Ag deposit. Romania Field Trip SEG Students, Romania

    Google Scholar 

  • Săndulescu M (1984) Geotectonica României (in Romanian). Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti

    Google Scholar 

  • Săndulescu M (1988) Cenozoic tectonic history of the Carpathians. In: Royden L, Horváth F (eds) The Pannonian Basin: a study in Basin evolution. AAPG Memoir, vol 45, p 17–25

  • Savu H (1996) A comparative study of the ophiolites obducted from two different segments of the Mureş ocean “Normal” median ridge (Romania). Rom J Petrol 77:46–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheinost AC, Schwertmann U (1999) Color Identification of Iron Oxides and Hydroxysulfates: use and limitations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 63:1463–1471

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillitoe RH, Hedenquist JW (2003) Linkages between tectonic settings, ore fluid composition, and epithermal precious metal deposits. Soc Eco Geo Spc Pub 10:315–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith KS, Huyck HLO (1999) An overview of the abundance, relative mobility, bioavailability and human toxicity of metals. In: Plumlee GS, Logsdon MJ (eds) The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits. Rev Econ Geol. vol 6A, p 29–70

  • Sobek AA, Schuller WA, Freeman JR, Smith RM (1978). Field and Laboratory Methods Applicable to Overburdens and Minesoils. 47–50. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268. EPA-600/2-78-054

  • Soldan P, Pavonic M, Boucek J, Kokes J (2001) Baia Mare accident-brief ecotoxicological report of Czech experts. Ecotox Environ Safe 49:255–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song XH, Polissar AV, Hopke PK (2001) Sources of fine particle composition in the northeastern US. Atmos Environ 35:5277–5286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soregaroli BA, Lawrence RW (1977) Waste rock characterization at Dublin Gulch: a case study. Proceedings of the 4 th international conference on acid rock drainage, Vancouver, pp 631–645

  • Stefan A (1986) Eocretaceous granitoids from the South Apuseni. D.S. Inst. Geol Geofiz 70–71(1):229–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamas CG, Bailly L (1999). Roşia Montană low sulfidation ore deposit-evidence from fluid inclusion study. Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Geologia, vol. XLIV/1, pp 49–56

  • Vaccaro S, Sobiecka E, Contini S, Locoro G, Free F, Gawlik BM (2007) The application of positive matrix factorization in the analysis, characterization and detection of contaminated soils. Chemosphere 69:1055–1063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallier S, Ray R, Kouzmanov K, Pettke T, Heinrich CA, Leary S, O’Connor G, Calin GT, Vennemann T, Ullrich T (2006) Magmatic fluids in the breccia-hosted epithermal Au-Ag deposit of Roşia Montană. Romania Econ Geol 101(5):923–954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster R, Oliver MA (2001) Geostatistics for environmental scientists. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner BB (2011) What is a continuous particle size distribution? Brookhaven Instruments Corporation White Paper, Holtsville

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Sheesley RJ, Schauer JJ, Lewandowski M, Jaoui M, Offenberg JH, Kleindienst TE, Edney EO (2009) Source apportionment of primary and secondary organic aerosol using positive matrix factorization (PMF) of molecular markers. Atmos Environ 43:5567–5570

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Adrian Minut for the logistic support during the sampling campaign at Roşia Montană gold mine and Elena Ferrari for the support during laboratory analyses.

This work was supported by

(a) MIUR-(Italian) Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (PRIN-COFIN2008): “Reactivity of minerals of environmental relevance: properties and evolution of nano- and micro-crystalline Fe-oxides, -oxyhydroxides and -oxyhydroxysulphates in Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) systems” (Marescotti P.);

(b) co-financing of the research by “Dote ricerca”: FSE, Regione Lombardia (Servida D.)

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “Ardito Desio”, Università di Milano, Via Botticelli 23, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Diego Servida, Sara Comero, Mara Dal Santo, Luisa de Capitani, Giovanni Grieco & Silvia Porro

  2. Institute for Environment and Sustainability, European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Via Enrico Fermi, 21020, Ispra, Italy

    Sara Comero

  3. MWH S.p.A, Centro Direzionale Milano 2, Palazzo Canova, Segrate, 20090, Milan, Italy

    Mara Dal Santo

  4. DISTAV-Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e della Vita, Università di Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Pietro Marescotti

  5. Department of Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu 1, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Ferenc Lázár Forray & Ágnes Gál

  6. Department of Environmental Sciences, Sapientia University, Str. Matei Corvin 4, 400112, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Alexandru Szakács

Authors
  1. Diego Servida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sara Comero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mara Dal Santo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luisa de Capitani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Giovanni Grieco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Pietro Marescotti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Silvia Porro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Ferenc Lázár Forray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Ágnes Gál
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Alexandru Szakács
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diego Servida.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Servida, D., Comero, S., Dal Santo, M. et al. Waste rock dump investigation at Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania): a geostatistical approach. Environ Earth Sci 70, 13–31 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-2100-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-2100-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation