• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.781-792
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• 2020

Mine tailings, which are inevitably formed by the development of manganese nodules, manganese crusts, and hydrothermal seafloor deposits, have attracted attention because of their quantity and potential toxicity. However, there is a lack of data on the quantity of mine tailings being generated, their physicochemical properties, and their effects as environmental hazards and on marine ecosystems in general. The importance of treating mine tailings in an environmentally friendly manner has been recognized recently and related reduction/treatment methods are being considered. In the case of deep-sea mineral resource development, if mine tailings cannot be treated aboard a ship, the issue becomes one of the cost of transporting them to land and solving the problem of environmental pollution there. Therefore, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology conducted research on the harmfulness of mine tailings, their effect on marine ecosystem, the diffusion model of contaminated particles, and candidate purification treatment technologies based on five representative controlling factors: 1) effects of pollution /on the environment, 2) effects of environmental/ biological hazards, 3) diffusion of particles, 4) mineral dressings, and 5) reducing/processing mine tailings. The results of this study can provide a basis for minimizing environmental problems by providing scientific evidences of the environmental effects of mine tailings. In addition, it is also expected that these results could be applied to the treatment of pollutants of different origins and at land-based mining waste sites.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.10-21
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• 2022

In the South Korea, 47% of abandoned mines are suffering from the mining hazards such as the mine drainage (MD), the mine tailings and the waste rocks. Among them the mine drainage which has a low pH and the high concentration of heavy metals can directly contaminate rivers or soil and cause serious damages to human health. The natural/artificial treatment facilities by using neutralizers and coagulants for the mine drainage have been operated in domestic and most of heavy metals in mind drainage are precipitated and removed in the form of metal hydroxide, alumino-silicate or carbonate, generating a large amount of mine drainage treated sludge ('MDS' hereafter) by-product. The MDS has a large surface area and many functional groups, showing high efficiency on the fixation of heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to develop a ingenious heavy metal stabilizer that can effectively stabilize arsenic (As) and heavy metals in soil by recycling the MDS (two types of MDS: the acid mine drainage treated sludge (MMDS) and the coal mine drainage treated sludge (CMDS)). Various analyses, toxicity evaluations, and leaching reduction batch experiments were performed to identify the characteristics of MDS as the stabilizer for soils contaminated with As and heavy metals. As a result of batch experiments, the Pb stabilization efficiency of both of MDSs for soil A was higher than 90% and their Zn stabilization efficiencies were higher than 70%. In the case of soil B and C, which were contaminated with As, their As stabilization efficiencies were higher than 80%. Experimental results suggested that both of MDSs could be successfully applied for the As and heavy metal contaminated soil as the soil stabilizer, because of their low unit price and high stabilization efficiency for As and hevry metals.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.3 s.184
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• pp.277-293
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• 2007

Seasonal and spatial variations in the concentrations of trace elements, pH and Eh were found in a creek watershed affected by mine drainage and leachate from several waste rock dumps within the As-Pb-rich Indae mine site. Because of mining activity dating back to about 40 years ago and rupture of the waste rock dumps, this creek was heavily contaminated. Due to the influx of leachate and mine drainage, the water quality of upstream reach in this creek was characterized by largest seasonal and spatial variations in concentrations of Zn(up to $5.830 mg/{\ell}$), Cu(up to $1.333 mg/{\ell}$), Cd(up to $0.031 mg/{\ell}$) and $SO_4^{2-}$(up to $173 mg/{\ell}$), relatively acidic pH values (3.8-5.1) and highly oxidized condition. The most abundant metals in the leachate samples were in order of Zn($0.045-13.909 mg/{\ell}$), Fe($0.017-8.730mg/{\ell}$), Cu($0.010-4.154mg/{\ell}$) and Cd($n.d.-0.077mg/{\ell}$), with low pH(3.1-6.1), and high $SO_4^{2-}$(up to $310 mg/{\ell}$). The mine drainage also contained high concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd and $SO_4^{2-}$ and remained constantly near-neutral pH values(6.5-7.0) in all the year. While the leachate and mine drainage might not affect short-term fluctuations in flow, it may significantly influence the concentrations of chemicals in the stream. The abundance and chemistry of Fe-(oxy)hydroxide within this creek indicated that the Fe-(oxy)hydroxide formation could be responsible for some removal of trace elements from the creek waters. Spatial and seasonal variations along down-stream reach of this creek were caused largely by the influx of water from uncontaminated tributaries. In addition, the trace metal concentrations in this creek have been decreased nearly down to the background level at a short distance from the discharge points without any artificial treatments after hydrologic mixing in a tributary. The nonconservative(i.e. precipitation, adsorption, oxidation, dissolution etc.) and conservative(hydrologic mixing) reactions constituted an efficient mechanism of natural attenuation which reduces considerably the transference of trace elements to rivers.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 1992

In order to study the optimum depth for the soil geochemical exploration in the area which is affected by agricultural activities and waste disposal of metal mine, the soil samples were sampled from the B layer of residual soil and vertical 7 layers up to 250 cm in the rice field and 3 layers up to 90 cm in the ordinary field. They were analyzed for Au, As, Cu, Pb and Zn by AAS, AAS-graphite furnace and ICP. To investigate the proper depth for the soil sampling in the contaminated area, the data were treated statistically by applying correlation coefficient, factor analysis and trend analysis. It is conclude that soil geochemical exploration method could be applied in the farm-land and a little contaminated area. The optimum depth of soil sampling is 60 cm in the ordinary field, and 150~200 cm in the rice field. Soil sampling in the area of a huge mine waste disposal is not recommendable. Plotting of geochemical map with factor scores as a input data shows a clear pattern compared with the map of indicater element such as As or Au. The second or third degree trend surface analysis is effective in inferring the continuity of vein in the area where the outcrop is invisible.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2003

River deposits and farmland soils were analyzed to investigate the pollution level of heavy metals in the vicinity of the Goro abandoned Zn-mine. Surface (0-40 cm) and subsurface (40-100 cm) soils were collected around a main river located at the lower part of the Goro mine, and analyzed by ICP-MS for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr after 0. 1N HCI extraction and by AAS for As after IN HCI extraction. Concentrations of cadmium and lead at the surface river deposits close to the mine were over the Soil Pollution Warning Limit (SPWL), and 43% of sample sites (6 of 14 samples) were over SPWL for As suggesting that river deposits were broadly contaminated by arsenic. Results from farmland soil analysis showed that surface soils were contaminated by heavy metals, while only arsenic was over SPWL at 50% of sampling sites. Main pollution mechanism around the Goro mine was the discharge of mine tailing and waste rocks from the storage site to the river and to adjacent farmland during flood season. Pollution Grades for sample locations were prescribed by the Law of Soil Environmental Preservation, suggesting that the pollution level of heavy metals around the Goro mine was serious, and the remediation operation fur arsenic and the isolation of mine tailing and waste rocks from river and farmland should be activated to protect further contamination. The area needed to clean up was estimated from pollution distribution data and the remediation methods such as a soil washing method and a soil improvement method were considered as the further remediation operation for arsenic contaminated soils and river deposits around the Goro abandoned mine.

• 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.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.11-26
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• 2010

In order to review the recycling status of urban mine resources in Japan, metal consumption, metal recycling rate and metal recycling industry such as iron scrap, end of life vehiclcs(ELV), waste home appliances and spent IT equipments were surveyed. Japan took rank of top class in the world on the metal consumption and urban mine stock reserve. Metal recycling industries in Japan have been developed through excellent technologies for mineral processing and non-ferrous smelting. On the other hand, the technologies for recycling of rare metals are being developed now. Recycling rate of EL V, waste home appliances and personal computer are higher than the guidelines of the legislative standard.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.3 s.81
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• pp.383-390
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• 2004

This study has focused on the possibility for recycling tailings from the Sangdong tungsten mine as admixture for concrete. The XRD(X-ray diffraction analysis) and PSA(Particle size analysis) were performed to find mineralogical characteristics. As a result of XRD analysis, the tailings from the Sangdong tungsten fine were composed of quartz, chlorite, anorthite and cordierite etc. As a result of KSLT for cement mortar mixed with tailings from the Sangdong tungsten mine, most of heavy metals were determined as below the guide line for waste material. In addition, the setting time and compressive strength of cement mortar mixed with tailings from the Sangdong tungsten mine were investigated. It was indicated that the initial and final set were retarded according to increasing replacement of tailings from the Sangdong tungsten mine. The compressive strength of mortar was decreased with increasing replacement of failings from the Sangdong tungsten mine.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 1996

In order to investigate the extent and degree of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contamination affected by mining activities of the Dalsung Cu~W mine, sampling of stream sediments and waters has been undertaken up to 1.5 km downstream from the mine at 50~150 meter intervals. Analysis of the samples was carried out using ICP-AES for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Physical and chemical properties of sediments (pH, organic matter contents, cation exchange capacity) and waters (pH, Eh and temperature) were also measured. The properties of the sediment samples were characterized by low pH (3.0~5.5), low organic matter contents (2~5%) and a moderate degree of cation exchange capacity (7~15 meq/100 g) with a high proportion of sand fraction. The pH values of water samples ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 and the Eh levels were in the range of 350~530 mV. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the sediments averaged 3.2 mg/kg, 1,390 mg/kg, 451 mg/kg and 262 mg/kg with the range of 0.6~11.4 mg/kg, 15~3,800 mg/kg, 14~1,330 mg/kg and 63~1,060 mg/kg, respectively. Significant levels of the heavy metals were also found in the water samples with the range of $10{\sim}170{\mu}gCd/l$, $300{\sim}41,600{\mu}gCu/l$, $10{\sim}80{\mu}gPb/l$ and $700{\sim}15,400{\mu}gZn/l$. These elevated concentrations in the sediments and waters may be caused by the weathering of mine waste materials and their high solubilities under acidic and/or oxidizing conditions. Although metal concentrations in the samples decrease with the distance from the mine, heavy metal contamination of sediments and waters were also found at the 1.5 km downstream due to the mobile conditions of the heavy metals, with particular reference to Cd and Zn in stream waters.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.63-79
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• 2008

Physicochemical characteristics of stream water, leachate, mine water and groundwater were investigated to estimate the influences of the tailing and waste rock from the abandoned Uljin mine area. Total extraction analysis and mineralogical studies were carried out to understand sulfide weathering and to determine the distributions of trace elements in the soil affected by mine waste (tailing, waste rock and leachate). The pH and EC value of the leachate from the tailing disposal ranged 2.9-6.0, $99{\sim}3,990{\mu}S/cm$, respectively, and the concentrations of dissolved major (up to 492 mg/l Ca; 83.8 mg/l Mg; 45.2 mg/l Na; 44.7 mg/l K, 50.8 mg/l Si) and trace elements (up to $826,060{\mu}g/l$ Fe; $131,230{\mu}g/l$ Mn; $333,600{\mu}g/l$ Al; $61,340{\mu}g/l$ Zn; $2,530{\mu}g/l$ Cu; $573{\mu}g/l$ Cd; $476{\mu}g/l$ Pb) were relatively high. The stream water showed the variation of dissolved metal concentrations in seasonally and spatially. The dissolved metal contents of the stream water increased by influx the leachate from the tailing disposal, but these of the down stream have been considerably decreased by mixing of dilute tributaries. The dissolved metal concentrations of the stream water at dry season (as February) were lower than these at rainy season (as May and July). These represent that the amounts of the leachate varied with season. However, stream water could not be effectively diluted by confluence with uncontaminated tributaries, because the flux of tributaries and streams reduced at dry season. Thus attenuations by dilution had been dominantly happened in rainy seasons. The order of accumulations of trace element in soils compared with background values revealed Mn>Fe>Pb>Cu>Zn. Sulfide minerals were mainly pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena and chalcopyrite. Pyrrhotite was rapidly weathered along the edge and fractures, and results in the formation of Fe-(oxy)hydroxides, which absorbed a little amount of Zn.