Econ. Environ. Geol. 2008; 41(2): 183-199

Published online April 30, 2008

© THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY

Physio-chemical and Mineralogical Characterization of the Tailings in the Guryoung Mining Area

Yonghee Moon1, Jeong-Yeon Kim2, Yungoo Song3* and Hi-Soo Moon3

1Institute of Earth·Atmosphere·Astronomy BK21 Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Korea
2Halla Engineering & Construction Corp. Research & Development Center, Seoul 138-734, Korea
3Department of Earth System Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Korea,

Correspondence to :

Yungoo Song

yungoo@yonsei.ac.kr

Received: January 12, 2008; Accepted: April 3, 2008

Abstract

This study is focused on characterization of the physio-chemical and mineralogical properties, investigation of their vertical changes in the tailing profile of the Guryoung mining area, classification of the profile into distinct zones, and condition conceptual model of physio-chemical conditions and phases-water relationships controlling the element behaviors in the tailings. The upper part of the groundwater is characterized by the high contents of Fe2O3 and SO3 for whole rock analysis, low pH, and the occurrence of jarosite, schwertmannite and Fe-oxyhydroxide as the secondary mineral phases. The tailing profile can be divided into the covering soil, jarosite zone, Fe-sulfate zone, Fe-oxyhydroxide and gypsum-bearing pyrite zone, calcite-bearing pyrite zone, soil zone, and weathered zone on the based of the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics. The profile can be sampled into the oxidized zone and the carbonate-rich primary zone with the dramatic changes in pH and the secondary mineral phases. The conceptual model proposed for the tailing profile can be summarized that the oxidation of pyrite is the most important reaction controlling the changes in pH, the dissolution of the primary silicates and carbonates, the precipitation of secondary mineral phases, acid-neutralizing, and heavy metal behaviors through the profile.

Keywords conceptual model, geochemical, oxidation zone, unoxidation zone, heavy metal

Article

Econ. Environ. Geol. 2008; 41(2): 183-199

Published online April 30, 2008

Copyright © THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY.

Physio-chemical and Mineralogical Characterization of the Tailings in the Guryoung Mining Area

Yonghee Moon1, Jeong-Yeon Kim2, Yungoo Song3* and Hi-Soo Moon3

1Institute of Earth·Atmosphere·Astronomy BK21 Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Korea
2Halla Engineering & Construction Corp. Research & Development Center, Seoul 138-734, Korea
3Department of Earth System Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Korea,

Correspondence to:

Yungoo Song

yungoo@yonsei.ac.kr

Received: January 12, 2008; Accepted: April 3, 2008

Abstract

This study is focused on characterization of the physio-chemical and mineralogical properties, investigation of their vertical changes in the tailing profile of the Guryoung mining area, classification of the profile into distinct zones, and condition conceptual model of physio-chemical conditions and phases-water relationships controlling the element behaviors in the tailings. The upper part of the groundwater is characterized by the high contents of Fe2O3 and SO3 for whole rock analysis, low pH, and the occurrence of jarosite, schwertmannite and Fe-oxyhydroxide as the secondary mineral phases. The tailing profile can be divided into the covering soil, jarosite zone, Fe-sulfate zone, Fe-oxyhydroxide and gypsum-bearing pyrite zone, calcite-bearing pyrite zone, soil zone, and weathered zone on the based of the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics. The profile can be sampled into the oxidized zone and the carbonate-rich primary zone with the dramatic changes in pH and the secondary mineral phases. The conceptual model proposed for the tailing profile can be summarized that the oxidation of pyrite is the most important reaction controlling the changes in pH, the dissolution of the primary silicates and carbonates, the precipitation of secondary mineral phases, acid-neutralizing, and heavy metal behaviors through the profile.

Keywords conceptual model, geochemical, oxidation zone, unoxidation zone, heavy metal

    KSEEG
    Dec 31, 2024 Vol.57 No.6, pp. 665~835

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