Toxicity, Corrosiveness and Contaminant Characteristics of Mine Tailings: Hazard Mitigation and Utilization

Juan Hernández-Ávila, Ramón G. Salinas-Maldonado, Alondra García-Cerón, Javier Flores-Badillo, Francisco R. Barrientos-Hernández, Eduardo Cerecedo-Sáenz (), Norman Toro, Edelmira Gálvez, M. P. Gutiérrez-Amador and Eleazar Salinas-Rodríguez ()
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Juan Hernández-Ávila: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Ramón G. Salinas-Maldonado: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Alondra García-Cerón: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Javier Flores-Badillo: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Francisco R. Barrientos-Hernández: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Eduardo Cerecedo-Sáenz: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Norman Toro: Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique 1100000, Chile
Edelmira Gálvez: Departamento de Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Minas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270709, Chile
M. P. Gutiérrez-Amador: Apan High School, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Apan-Calpulalpan Km. 8, Apan 43920, Mexico
Eleazar Salinas-Rodríguez: Academic Area of Earth Sciences and Materials, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Highway Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: Mining operations for the extraction and processing of useful geological materials are common anthropogenic activities that generate enormous quantities of waste that can alter the natural balance. In this way, soil, water and air are contaminated with waste that contains heavy metals, acids and many other compounds that are toxic to the environment and health. Minimizing and eradicating these pollutants is an arduous but necessary task. That is why, in the present work, the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of metallurgical mining waste was carried out using analytical techniques. Tests and trials were also carried out to assess the degree of toxicity, corrosiveness and chemical capacity to generate acid mine drainage. In general, it was found that this waste does not contain active toxic elements or elements that could be corrosive. However, due to the residual content of sulfide minerals, it can generate acid mine drainage, which could contaminate groundwater. Likewise, it can be seen that due to the content of heavy metals and minerals such as quartz and feldspars, this waste can be reprocessed to recover metals and subsequently separate, by flotation, the associated silica and feldspar, which can be used in the glass and cement industry.

Keywords: mining tailings; toxicology testing; reprocessing of waste; reuse of waste (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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