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Automated quantitative micro-mineralogical characterization for environmental applications

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Abstract

Characterization of ore and waste-rock material using automated quantitative micro-mineralogical techniques (e.g., QEMSCAN® and MLA) has the potential to complement traditional acid-base accounting and humidity cell techniques when predicting acid generation and metal release. These characterization techniques, which most commonly are used for metallurgical, mineral-processing, and geometallurgical applications, can be broadly applied throughout the mine-life cycle to include numerous environmental applications. Critical insights into mineral liberation, mineral associations, particle size, particle texture, and mineralogical residence phase(s) of environmentally important elements can be used to anticipate potential environmental challenges. Resources spent on initial characterization result in lower uncertainties of potential environmental impacts and possible cost savings associated with remediation and closure. Examples illustrate mineralogical and textural characterization of fluvial tailings material from the upper Arkansas River in Colorado.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Automated quantitative micro-mineralogical characterization for environmental applications
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
Contributing office(s) Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 5 p.
Conference Title 115th National Western Mining Conference
Conference Location Denver, CO
Conference Date February 24-27, 2013
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