Acid Mine Drainage Neutralization by Ultrabasic Rocks: A Chromite Mining Tailings Evaluation Case Study

Evgenios Kokkinos, Vasiliki Kotsali, Evangelos Tzamos and Anastasios Zouboulis ()
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Evgenios Kokkinos: Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Vasiliki Kotsali: Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Evangelos Tzamos: Ecoresources PC, Kolchidos Str., 3, 55131 Thessaloniki, Greece
Anastasios Zouboulis: Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-14

Abstract: Chromite is formed in nature in ophiolitic layers and ultrabasic rocks through fractional crystallization. The corresponding mining technologies separate the ore from these ultrabasic rocks, which are considered to be tailings for the process but may be valorized in other applications. The need to utilize this material is due to the large quantities of its production and the special management required to avoid possible secondary pollution. In the present work, the ultrabasic rocks of chromite mining were applied to acid mine drainage (AMD) neutralization. The aim was to increase the technological maturity of the method and promote circular economy principles and sustainability in the mining sector. Ultrabasic rocks were obtained from a chromite mining facility as reference material. Furthermore, an artificial AMD solution was synthesized and applied, aiming to simulate field conditions. According to the results, the sample was successfully utilized in AMD neutralization (pH 7), achieving rapid rates in the first 30 min and maximum efficiency (liquid to solid ratio equal to 8.3) at 24 h. However, the method presented a drawback since Mg was leached, even though the concentration of other typical metals contained in an AMD solution decreased.

Keywords: mining tailings; chromite; ultrabasic rocks; neutralization; acid mine drainage; circular economy; sustainable mining (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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