Innovative applications of automated, SEM-based mineralogical analysis to acid rock drainage and metal leaching characterization

0577788 - GLÚ 2024 RIV AU eng A - Abstrakt
Bromstad, M. J. - Schuh, C. E. - Salzsauler, K. A. - Fawcett, S. - Glossop, L. N. - Hrstka, Tomáš
Innovative applications of automated, SEM-based mineralogical analysis to acid rock drainage and metal leaching characterization.
Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage. Brisbane: Sustainable Minerals Institute, 2022 - (Edraki, M.; Jones, D.; Jain, K.). s. 270-283. ISBN 978-1-74272-388-4.
[International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage /12./. 18.09.2022-24.09.2022, online]
Grant ostatní: AV ČR(CZ) StrategieAV21/30
Program: StrategieAV
Institucionální podpora: RVO:67985831
Klíčová slova: Mineralogy * acid rock drainage * metal leaching * automated mineralogy * scanning electron microscope
Obor OECD: Mineralogy
https://www.inap.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ICARD-Proceedings-update-14-03-23.pdf

Mineralogical analysis is a cornerstone of geochemical characterization of acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching (ML). Automated scanning-electron microscope (SEM)-based methods of mineralogical analysis have become faster, more accurate, and are increasingly available for environmental geochemistry applications through commercial laboratories at competitive prices. Adaptation of automated SEM-based methods, many of which were developed for metallurgical applications, to environmental geochemistry allows for quantitative reckoning of bulk mineralogical composition, elemental deportment, mineral liberation, mineral grain size, mineral texture, and other customized explorations. This has led to exciting outcomes in applied geochemical characterization, since they allow for accurate accounting of mineral-weathering products, amorphous phases, and other phases that are either of low abundance or challenging to quantify via traditional mineralogical methods (i.e., X-Ray diffraction [XRD]). This paper explores the use of automated SEM-based mineralogical methods in mine environments to characterize ARD and ML, including specific examples of innovative applications to the evaluation of silicate neutralization potential, the characterization of challenging materials such as metalliferous organic-rich waste products, and forensic fingerprinting of metal transport. Combining automated SEM-based methods with other characterization tools (e.g., solid phase analysis, short-term leach tests, kinetic testing) has allowed for unparalleled understanding of site-specific metal-leaching processes (including metal sources) and acid-generation processes (e.g., mineral liberation and availability for reaction), and provided fit-for-purpose results with clear value added to geochemical characterization projects.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0346927