Development of a textural index for the prediction of acid rock drainage

Parbhakar-Fox, Anita K., Edraki, Mansour, Walters, Steve and Bradshaw, Dee (2011) Development of a textural index for the prediction of acid rock drainage. Minerals Engineering, 24 12: 1277-1287.


Author Parbhakar-Fox, Anita K.
Edraki, Mansour
Walters, Steve
Bradshaw, Dee
Title Development of a textural index for the prediction of acid rock drainage
Journal name Minerals Engineering  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2011-10
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.mineng.2011.04.019
Volume number 24
Issue number 12
ISSN 0892-6875; 1872-9444
Start page 1277
End page 1287
Total pages 11
Place of publication Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom
Publisher Pergamon
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Formatted abstract The acid rock drainage index (ARDI) was developed to predict acid formation based on intact rock texture. Five textural parameters which have direct control on acid formation are evaluated. The ARDI forms part of the geochemistry-mineralogy-texture (GMT) approach to undertaking acid rock drainage (ARD) predictive tests. This staged-approach involves parallel use of geochemical, mineralogical and textural analyses. Sample screening is performed at stage-one, and a general classification given. Stage-two involves the use of routine geochemical tests in order to cross-check stage-one results, and also to quantify the acid forming/neutralising potential. Stage-three uses advanced geochemical tests and microanalytical tools to cross-check any ambiguous results from the previous stages, and for detailed characterisation of acid forming sulphide phases.
Samples were obtained from two mine sites in Queensland, Australia, from which seventeen mesotextural groups were identified (A-Q). The ARDI identified mesotextural groups J (quartz-pyrite) and H (quartz-arsenopyrite-pyrite) as extremely acid forming. Routinely used geochemical classifications also identified these as the most acid forming groups. Four mesotextural groups (K-O) were classified as having acid neutralising capacity after full GMT classification. The remainder of mesotextural groups were classified as not acid forming. Mesotextural groups G (quartz-galena-sphalerite), H and J only require kinetic testing to resolve the lag-time to, and longevity of acid formation, and to measure the concentration of potentially deleterious elements released. The ARDI was not able to confidently discern between samples with the capacity to neutralise acid, and those which are not acid forming. Therefore, further refinement of the ARDI is required. However, in its current form the ARDI is suitable for mineral deposits with low-carbonate contents. This paper demonstrates its use as part of stage-one of the GMT approach at both operational and abandoned mine sites to screen and classify acid forming potential.
Keyword Acid rock drainage
Classification
Environmental
Pollution
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Special Issue: Process Mineralogy

 
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Created: Tue, 31 May 2011, 11:21:32 EST by Karen Holtham on behalf of Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre