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Comparison of different static methods for assessment of AMD generation potential in mining waste dumps in the Muteh Gold Mines, Iran

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Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) gives rise to several problems in sulfide-bearing mineral deposits whether in an ore body or in the mining wastes and tailings. Hence, several methods and parameters have been proposed to evaluate the acid-producing and acid-neutralizing potential of a material. This research compares common static methods for evaluation of acid-production potential of mining wastes in the Muteh gold mines by using 62 samples taken from six waste dumps around Senjedeh and Chah-Khatoun mines. According to a detailed mineralogical study, the waste materials are composed of mica-schist and quartz veins with a high amount of pyrite and are supposed to be susceptible to acid production, and upon a rainfall, they release acid drainage. All parameters introduced in different methods were calculated and compared in this research in order to predict the acid-generating and neutralization potential, including APP, NNP, MPA, NPR, and NAGpH. Based on the analytical results and calculation of different parameters, all methods are in a general consensus that DWS-02 and DWS-03 waste dumps are acid-forming which is clearly attributed to high content of pyrite in samples. DWS-04 is considered as non-acid forming in all methods except method 8 which is uncertain about its acid-forming potential and method 7 which considers a low potential for it. DWC-01 is acid-forming based on all methods except 8, 9, 10, and 11 which are also uncertain about its potential. The methods used are not reached to a compromise on DWS-01 and DWC-02 waste dumps. It is supposed that method 7 gives the conservationist results in all cases. Method 8 is unable to decide on some cases. It is recommended to use and rely on results provided by methods 1, 2, 3, and 12 for taking decisions for further studies. Therefore, according to the static tests used, the aforementioned criteria in selected methods can be used with much confidence as a rule of thumb estimation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Muteh Gold Complex, its managing director Mr. Hamid Montazeri, R&D department, Mr. Mohammadi, and also Iran Minerals Production and Supply Company (IMPASCO) for co-funding and supporting this research.

Dr. Rashidnejad Omran of Tarbiat Modares University of Tehran is highly appreciated for his help in microscopic identification of minerals and also valuable comments and suggestions.

The authors are thankful to the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research branch of Tehran for their support and means for performing this research. Lorestan University is also acknowledged for helping us in sample preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Zohreh Mohammadi

  2. School of Geology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Soroush Modabberi

  3. School of Geology, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Jafari

  4. School of Geology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran

    Kimia Sadat Ajayebi

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  1. Zohreh Mohammadi
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Correspondence to Zohreh Mohammadi.

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Mohammadi, Z., Modabberi, S., Jafari, M.R. et al. Comparison of different static methods for assessment of AMD generation potential in mining waste dumps in the Muteh Gold Mines, Iran. Environ Monit Assess 187, 374 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4306-z

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