Prevention of acid rock drainage generation
The project is a PhD study funded by Boliden. The research focuses on the prevention of sulfide oxidation in waste rock to prevent the consequent generation of acid rock drainage.
Sulfides exposed to the atmosphere during mining are weathered and release acid and trace elements associated with the sulfides. The acid produced can further dissolve other minerals, such as silicates and release elements associated with these. This can eventually lead to acidic, metal-rich water. The most common approach to hinder sulfide oxidation is to encapsulate the sulfidic wastes after mine closure to prevent oxygen and water from reaching the sulfides. In this project, we want to prevent the reactive sulfidic minerals from being oxidized in an early stage of the mine life, by inhibiting the sulfide reactivity by creating a protecting rim around the minerals, in a so-called microencapsulation mechanism. To create this rim, the rest material from other industries is used to create a chemical condition that promotes secondary precipitates to form on the reactive mineral surfaces and hinders oxygen to reach the sulfide. In the previous research, this has been proven successful on a laboratory scale with the use of lime kiln dust. In this project, other suitable amendments will be tested on the laboratory scale and the most promising materials in larger-scale tests.
The project started in October 2022 and will be running until 2027.
Contact
Lena Alakangas
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-491396
- lena.alakangas@ltu.se
- Lena Alakangas
Dantie Butar Butar
- Doctoral Student
- 0920-491403
- dantie.butar.butar@ltu.se
- Dantie Butar Butar
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