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Kinetic tests comparison and interpretation for prediction of the Joutel tailings acid generation potential

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Five sulfide mine tailings coming from the Joutel mine tailing ponds (Quebec, Canada) were tested by the humidity cell test (30 to 52 cycles duration) and the column test (11 to 12 cycles duration). The objectives of this study were twofold. First, there was the determination of the tailings acid generation potential for site reclamation. Second, there was the kinetic test comparison for understanding the tailings geochemical behavior under different test conditions. The samples used had a wide diversity in terms of acid-generation potential, particle size distribution, and parameters influencing reaction rates. Leachates produced remained at a near neutral pH for the duration of the tests. Evolution of the main elements involved in the dissolution processes demonstrated neutralization by carbonates as a response to the acid generated by sulfide oxidation. Depletion rates given by sulfates are higher for the humidity cell tests when compared to those obtained for the column tests. This is consistent with most studies to date, the humidity cell test being considered as more severe. However, by taking the ratio between cumulative elements coming from neutralization and the ones coming from oxidation, similar curves (named herein oxidation –neutralization curves) for all tests were obtained. These results show that overall geochemical behavior of the tailings is similar at near neutral pH for both types of tests. With this interpretation method, the acid-generation potential of the Joutel tailings were tested and compared to the static test results to constrain their uncertainty zone with regard to the studied tailings. The tailings geochemical behavior (carbonate dissolution response to sulfide oxidation) at near neutral pH condition appears slightly dependent of test conditions under certain hypothesis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Agnico Eagle who has supported the financing of a part of this project. The “Fonds Institutionnel de Recherche”, the “Unité de Recherche et de Service en Technologie Minérale” and the Industrial NSERC Chair École Poytechnique—UQAT in “Environment and mine tailings management” are also acknowledged for their contributions through their financial and technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université du Québec en Abitibi Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. Université, Rouyn-Noranda, Qc, J9X 5E4, Canada

    M. Benzaazoua, B. Bussière & A.-M. Dagenais

  2. division Laronde, Mines Agnico-Eagle, Case postale 400, Cadillac, Qc, J0Y 1C0, Canada

    M. Archambault

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  1. M. Benzaazoua
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  2. B. Bussière
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  3. A.-M. Dagenais
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  4. M. Archambault
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Correspondence to M. Benzaazoua.

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Benzaazoua, M., Bussière, B., Dagenais, AM. et al. Kinetic tests comparison and interpretation for prediction of the Joutel tailings acid generation potential. Env Geol 46, 1086–1101 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1113-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1113-1

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