Unlocking the potential of sulphide tailings: A comprehensive characterization study for critical mineral recovery.
Chemosphere
; 328: 138582, 2023 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37023909
ABSTRACT
Sulphide tailings are a major environmental concern due to acid mine drainage and heavy metal leaching, with costly treatments that lack economic benefits. Reprocessing these wastes for resource recovery can address pollution while creating economic opportunities. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for critical mineral recovery by characterizing sulphide tailings from a Zn-Cu-Pb mining site. Advanced analytical tools, such as electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-based energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), were utilized to determine the physical, geochemical, and mineralogical properties of the tailings. The results showed that the tailings were fine-grained (â¼50 wt% below 63 µm) and composed of Si (â¼17 wt%), Ba (â¼13 wt%), and Al, Fe, and Mn (â¼6 wt%). Of these, Mn, a critical mineral, was analyzed for recovery potential, and it was found to be largely contained in rhodochrosite (MnCO3) mineral. The metallurgical balance revealed that â¼93 wt% of Mn was distributed in -150 + 10 µm size fractions containing 75% of the total mass. Additionally, the mineral liberation analysis indicated that Mn-grains were primarily liberated below 106 µm size, suggesting the need for light grinding of above 106 µm size to liberate the locked Mn minerals. This study demonstrates the potential of sulphide tailings as a source for critical minerals, rather than being a burden, and highlights the benefits of reprocessing them for a resource recovery to address both environmental and economic concerns.
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Texto completo:
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Metales Pesados
/
Minerales
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Chemosphere
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia