• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.177-189
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• 2003

The main purposes of this study are to utilize mineralogical studies such as optical microscope, XRD and SEM/EDS analyses to characterize the oxidation of sulfide minerals and the mechanisms controlling the movement of dissolved metals from waste rocks at the abandoned Seobo mine. Mineralogical research of the waste rocks confirms the presence of anglesite, covellite, goethite, native sulfur and nsutite as secondary minerals, suggesting that these phases control the dissolved concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. The dissolved metals are precipitated, adsorbed and/or coprecipitated with(or within) Fe(Mn)-hydroxides and Mn(Fe)-hydroxides. The main phases of secondary mineral, Fe-hydroxide, can be classified as amorphous or poorly crystalline and more crystallized phases(e.g. goethite) by crystallinity. Amorphous or poorly crystalline Fe-hydroxide has relatively high As contents(9-24 wt.%). This poorly crystalline Fe-hydroxide changes toward more crystallized phase(e.g. goethite) which contains relatively low As(0.6-7.7 wt.%). These results are mainly due to the progressive release of As with the crystallization evolution of the As-trapping poorly crystalline Fe-hydroxides. It is also attributed to the differences of specific surface areas between the poorly crystalline Fe-hydroxides and well crystallized phases. The dissolved metals from waste rocks at Seobo mine area are naturally attenuated by a series of precipitation(as Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb), coprecipitation(Fe, Mn) and adsorption(As, Cu, Pb, An) reactions. The results of mineralogical researches permit to assess the environmental impacts of mine waste rocks in the areas, and can be used as a useful data to lay available mine restoration plan.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.4 s.173
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• pp.451-462
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• 2005

In order to examine the extent of environmental contamination at abandoned Samsanjeil Cu mines in Kosung-kun, Kyeongsangnam-do, we have investigated the contaminations and mobility of toxic trace elements from mine wastes including about 280,000 tonnages of tailings by chemical experiments (total extraction, partial extraction by 0.1N HCI and sequential extraction procedure). Total concentrations of trace elements showed that Cu, As, Co, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in tailings were 14.0, 3.6, 3.1, 2.1, 2.1 and 1.6 times greater than those in background soil, respectively. From the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals decrease in order of $Zn(29.0\%)>Cu(12.3\%)Pb(9.6\%)>Cd(3.0\%)>As=Co(0.0\%)$. Based on the concentrations, chemical speciations of tailings, waste rock and nearby soil, it was revealed that Cu and Zn were the most possible elements to contaminate the surrounding environment in Samsanjeil mine area. In addition, the tailings had total trace metal concentrations below Dutch guideline values except Cu, and they might not affect adverse impact on environment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.409-419
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• 2023

Acid mine drainage(AMD) treatment is classified as both passive and active treatment. During the treatment, about 5,000 tons of neutralization sludge is generated as a by-product per year in Korea. This study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of sludge generated from physico·chemical treatment processes as an active treatment from 5 different sources (D, H, S, T, Y) and the possibility of the sludges being recycled. The sludges have a pH range of 5.86 ~ pH 7.89, and a water content range of 51% ~ 82%. Most of particle sizes were less than 25 ㎛. In analysis of inorganic elements, the concentration of Al, Fe, and Mn were between 1,189 mg/kg ~ 129,344 mg/kg, 106,132 mg/kg ~ 338,011 mg/kg, and 3,472 mg/kg ~ 11,743 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of As and Zn in sludge-T, Cd in sludge-D, Ni in sludge-H, Zn in sludge-S, and Cd in sludge-Y exceeded the soil contamination standards of Korea. The results from 2 separate kinds of leaching test, the Korea Standard Leaching Test(KSLT) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure(TCLP), showed that all the sludges met the Korea groundwater standards. From the XRD and SEM-EDS analysis, the peaks of calcite and quartz were found in the sludges. The sludge also had a high proportion of Fe and O, and the majority of the composition was amorphous iron hydroxide.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.23-31
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• 2016

It was found that there was no problem in recycling by-products (waste rock and tailings) from Yangyang iron mine themselves through matter conversion because they are not hazardous according to results of KSLT method. In case of using tailings as sub-materials of cement, it recommended the use of less than 3% tailings dosage not to exceed 0.6% of total alkali ($R_2O$) content based on standard quality of portland cement (KS L 5201). Non sintered eco-brick corresponding to class 1 quality of recycled clay brick (KS I 3013) can replace 15% of cement with tailings and 100% of general fine aggregate with waste rock from iron mine. As mentioned above, recycling the by-products (waste rock and tailings) as sub-materials of cement and non sintered eco-brick could gain both environmental and economic benefits, that is, reduction of scale and maintenance cost of tailing ponds, decrease of energy use and $CO_2$ emission.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.204-210
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• 2013

This study has focused on the possibility for recycling tailings from the Sangdong tungsten mine (TA) as admixture for concrete. TA has been accumulating for several decades in Sangdong, a region in Korea, and there is a growing demand for alternative uses for this hazardous substance. In particular, the use must be in accordance with the hazardous materials stipulations under the Korean waste control act. This study showed that TA presented pH of 8.0-9.3, 18.7-22.0% of water content, 2.7% of maximum ignition loss. The chemical composition of TA showed minute differences from each depth of sampling that represented approximately 50% of $SiO_2$ and 13% of both $Al_2O_3$ and $Fe_2O_3$. The chemical composition of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb from mortar incorporating TA showed lower levels of hazardous materials which met the specifications of the waste control act in Korea. The TA mortar also appeared very effective for stabilizing/solidifying heavy metals particularly when used in conjunction with SG.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2015

Acid mine drainage occurrence is a serious environmental problem by mining industry, it usually contains high levels of metal ions, such as iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, and manganese, as well as metalloids of which arsenic is generally of the greatest concern. An indigenous plant extract was used to produce calcium carbonate from Canavalia ensiformis as effective biomaterial, and its ability to form the calcium carbonate under stable conditions was compared to that of purified urease. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed to elucidate the mechanism of calcium carbonate formation from the crude plant extracts. The results revealed that urease in the plant extracts catalyzed the hydrolysis of urea in liquid state cultures and decreased heavy metal amounts in the contaminated soil. The heavy metal amounts were decreased in the leachate from the treated mine soil; 31.7% of As, 65.8% of Mn, 50.6% of Zn, 51.6% of Pb, 45.1% of Cr, and 49.7% of Cu, respectively. The procedure described herein is a simple and beneficial method of calcium carbonate biomineralization without cultivation of microorganisms or further purification of crude extracts. This study suggests that crude plant extracts of Canavalia ensiformis have the potential to be used in place of purified forms of the enzyme during remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.787-798
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• 2005

The objectives of this study were to assess extraction kinetics of heavy metals with extraction times and to assess extraction efficiencies of heavy metals with concentrations and kinds of washing solutions. Target materials were obtained from disused metal mines. Washing solutions were water, HCl(0.1, 0.3, 1.0 N), EDTA(0.01, 0.05, 0.1 M), and sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS, 0.1. 0.5, 1.0%). Extraction efficiencies of heavy metals by water and SDS were below 1%, and extraction efficiencies of Zn and Cd were higher than those of Pb and Cu. As results, water and SDS were not effective in extracting heavy metals from mine tailings as washing solution, but extraction efficiencies of Pb and Cu with SDS solution increased as extraction time increased. Extraction kinetics of heavy metals with HCl and EDTA were faster than those with water and SDS. The majority of heavy metals were extracted within 6 hours, and extraction kinetics was almost independent of the solution concentration. Extraction kinetics of heavy metals after 6 hours was slow, but extraction kinetics was dependent on the solution concentration. Also, as concentrations of HCl and EDTA solution were stronger, heavy metals were extracted rapidly and extraction efficiencies were increased. The extraction efficiency was high in order of Cd>Pb>Zn>Cu in using 1.0 N HCl, and Pb>Cd>Zn>Cu in using 0.1 M EDTA. Consequently, extraction effectiveness was highest for Pb in using HCl, and for Pb and Cd in using EDTA with concentration increase. Extraction time of over 6 hours was not effective in extracting heavy metals.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.12-27
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• 2011

DOWA group has been working on metal recycling applying the smelting and refining process of KOSAKA Smelter. DOWA has developed it's metal recycling technologies through the treatment of black ore(complex sulfide ores) that contain many kinds of non-ferrous metals. In addition to these special technologies, DOWA has strengthened its hydrometallurgical process of precious metals and ability to deal with low-grade materials such as used electrical appliances or vehicles. On the other hand, JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation(JX-NMMC) carries out its metal recycling and industrial waste treatment businesses employing advanced separation, extraction and refining technologies developed through its extensive experience in the smelting of non-ferrous metals. JX-NMMC collects approximately 100,000t/y of copper and precious metal scraps from waste sources such as electronic parts, mobile phones, catalytic converters, print circuit boards and gold plated parts. These items are recycled through the smelting and refining operations of Saganoseki smelter and Hitachi Metal-recycling complex(HMC). In this like, metal recycling industries combined with environmental business service in Japan have been developed through excellent technologies for mineral processing and non-ferrous smelting. Also, both group, Dowa and JX-NMMC, were contributed to establish Japan's recycling-oriented society as the typical leading company of non-ferrous smelting. Now. it is an important issue to set up the collection system for e-waste.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.405-412
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• 2021

The objective of this study is to investigate the environmental impact of fine dust generated at the construction waste intermediate treatment plants, and to propose engineering data and measures to suppress the generation of fine dust to cope with the expected strengthened environmental regulations of the government. The following study conclusions are drawn. 1) T he maximum concentration of fine dust in the workplace was measured as 160㎍/m³ from the crushing operation followed by the point of waste unloading, where focused suppression plan of the fine dust generation is needed in the future. 2) Fine dust concentrations of 113㎍/m³ in wet road conditions and 50㎍/m³ in dry conditions were measured, indicating that fine dust could be reduced by 50% with watering alone. 3) The effect of distancing from the dust source was studied. PM10 during operation of the workplace was measured as about 25㎍/m³ higher than those of the neighboring areas. Whereas there was no significant difference in case of PM2.5 between workplace and neighboring areas. 4) The measurement results of the heavy metal contents showed that these metals did not affect neighboring areas.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2011

Based on the results of Part 1 of our two-parts paper, the possibility on field applicability of CMDS(Coal Mine Drainage Sludge) mixed with bentonite and cement as a liner in landfill sites was investigated. The optimum moisture content that met the landfill liner condition was obtained when the ratio of CMDS: bentonite: cement was 1: 0.5: 0.3 in a lab-scale. The relative compaction was measured in 90.1%, which results for construction field have been generally acceptable. In this study, a large-scale Lysimeter($1.0m{\times}1.5m{\times}2.0m$) was used to simulate the effects of the layer on the freeze/thaw by -20 average temperature. The mixture after freezing/thawing showed compressive strength more than $5kg/cm^2$, which was satisfied with EPA standards. Initial permeability of CMDS was $7.10{\times}10^{-7}cm/s$ and permeability its mixture after freezing/thawing was increased to $9.80{\times}10^{-7}cm/s$. The change of temperature in the layers rises and falls with linear and temperature gradient keep maintain the present state. Moisture contents in the layers have not been radically changed. Through the leaching test determined by KSLT method, it was found that heavy metals excluding Zn and Ni were not leached out or leached out less than the standards during 7 cycles of freezing/thawing process. Since it shows the increased permeability about 1.5 times and slight change in moisture content, but it was satisfied with EPA standar through 7 cycles of freezing/thawing process, this mixture can be applied as a liner in landfill final cover system.