Characterization of a mine legacy site: an approach for environmental management and metals recovery

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2020-01-23

Autores

Maria de Lurdes Dinis (Autor) FEUP; António Fiúza (Autor) FEUP; Aurora Futuro Silva (Autor) FEUP; Alexandre Leite (Autor) FEUP; Diogo Martins (Autor) Outra; Janine Figueiredo (Autor) Outra; Joaquim Góis (Autor) FEUP; Maria Cristina Vila (Autor) FEUP

Revista

Título: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Vol. 27 Nº 9

Páginas: 10103-10114

ISSN: 0944-1344

Editora: Springer Nature

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citações

Scopus - 3 Citações

Classificação Científica

CORDIS: Ciências Tecnológicas > Engenharia

FOS: Ciências da engenharia e tecnologias

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00R-NJQ

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06987-x

Abstract (EN): The characterization of historical mine tailings provides important information for land-management decisions, in particular when considering potential reprocessing activities or the development of an environmental protection program. In addition, outcomes from such characterization may define the scope for a more detailed investigation. The present work describes the characterization of the waste material from the Cabeco do Piao tailings impoundment performed within the project ReMinE: Improve Resource Efficiency and Minimize Environmental Footprint. The purpose of the work was to investigate alternative mine waste management options such as the extraction of valuable resources from an environmental liability. The study involved the collection of 41 samples at different locations at two different depths, physical and chemical characterization of the wastes, natural leaching tests, and potential for acid generation. The results showed that, apart from the potential instability of the dyke (with an average slope of 35 degrees), the drained solutions flowing by percolation contain very small particles with high arsenic contents that are being incorporated into the river sediments. In addition, these very fine-grained materials are available for the transport by the wind creating secondary sources of environmental contamination. This data is fundamental for economic and environmental assessment of the two main alternatives, reprocessing or removal.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 12