Oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals in single and mixed sulfide systems under simulated acid and metalliferous drainage conditions

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dc.contributor.authorQian, G.
dc.contributor.authorFan, R.
dc.contributor.authorHuang, J.
dc.contributor.authorPring, A.
dc.contributor.authorHarmer, S.L.
dc.contributor.authorZhang, H.
dc.contributor.authorRea, M.A.D.
dc.contributor.authorBrugger, J.
dc.contributor.authorTeasdale, P.R.
dc.contributor.authorGibson, C.T.
dc.contributor.authorSchumann, R.C.
dc.contributor.authorSmart, R.S.C.
dc.contributor.authorGerson, A.R.
dc.date.issued2021
dc.descriptionPublished: January 28, 2021
dc.description.abstractChalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite commonly coexist with pyrite in sulfidic waste rocks. The aim of this work was to investigate their impact, potentially by galvanic interaction, on pyrite oxidation and acid generation rates under simulated acid and metalliferous drainage conditions. Kinetic leach column experiments using single-minerals and pyrite with one or two of the other sulfide minerals were carried out at realistic sulfide contents (total sulfide <5.2 wt % for mixed sulfide experiments), mimicking sulfidic waste rock conditions. Chalcopyrite was found to be most effective in limiting pyrite oxidation and acid generation with 77-95% reduction in pyrite oxidation over 72 weeks, delaying decrease in leachate pH. Sphalerite had the least impact with reduction of pyrite dissolution by 26% over 72 weeks, likely because of the large band gap and poor conductivity of sphalerite. Galena had a smaller impact than chalcopyrite on pyrite oxidation, despite their similar band gaps, possibly because of the greater extent of oxidation and the significantly reduced surface areas of galena (area reductions of >47% for galena vs <1.5% for chalcopyrite) over 72 weeks. The results are directly relevant to mine waste storage and confirm that the galvanic interaction plays a role in controlling acid generation in multisulfide waste even at low sulfide contents (several wt %) with small probabilities (≤0.23%) of direct contact between sulfide minerals in mixed sulfide experiments.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityGujie Qian, Rong Fan, Jianyin Huang, Allan Pring, Sarah L. Harmer, He Zhang, Maria Angelica D. Rea, Joe, l Brugger, Peter R. Teasdale, Christopher T. Gibson, Russell C. Schumann, Roger St. C. Smart, and Andrea R. Gerson
dc.identifier.citationEnvironmental Science and Technology, 2021; 55(4):2369-2380
dc.identifier.doi10.1021/acs.est.0c07136
dc.identifier.issn0013-936X
dc.identifier.issn1520-5851
dc.identifier.orcidRea, M.A.D. [0000-0003-4818-0824]
dc.identifier.orcidGibson, C.T. [0000-0003-3334-5059]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/139850
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmerican Chemical Society
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP160101497
dc.rights© 2021 American Chemical Society
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c07136
dc.subjectOxidative Stress
dc.subject.meshAcids
dc.subject.meshSulfides
dc.subject.meshMinerals
dc.subject.meshOxidative Stress
dc.subject.meshSolubility
dc.titleOxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals in single and mixed sulfide systems under simulated acid and metalliferous drainage conditions
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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