Mineralurgical and Environmental Characterization of the Mine Tailings of the IOCG Mine of Guelb Moghrein, Akjoujt, Mauritania
Source abstract
Abstract
Since 2004, the processing of the iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) ore of Guelb Moghrein, Akjoujt, Mauritania, has resulted in the generation of approximately 40 million tons of mine tailings. The storage of these tailings poses significant environmental challenges particularly to surface and underground water resources. To address this issue, we propose an approach involving both mineralurgical and environmental characterization. Our mineralogical analysis reveals that the TSF tailings consist of sulfides and iron oxides associated with a silico-carbonated matrix. This mineralogical analysis also shows that the TSF tailings consist of secondary minerals, resulting from sulfides oxidation. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the chemical analysis of the TSF tailings contains potential toxic elements (PTEs) such as Cu, As, Co, Ni, Sb, and Se. Regarding the environmental characterization of the tailings, conducted through acid-based accounting (ABA) static tests, we demonstrate that leaching from the tailings generates a contaminated neutral drainage (CND).
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Mine drainage and remediation techniques · Tailings Management and Properties · Mining and Resource Management
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Université de Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Département de Géologie, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
Institut National de Recherche et d’Analyse Physico-Chimique (INRAP), Laboratoire des Matériaux Utiles, Pôle Technologique, Sidi Thabet, Ariana 2020, Tunisia
Université de Nouakchott Al Aasriya, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Département de Géologie, Laboratoire de Géologie, Environnement Ressources Minérales et Energétiques, Nouakchott 5026, Mauritania
Office National des Mines (ONM), 24 Rue de L’énergie, Charguia 1, Tunis 2035, Tunisia
Université de Carthage, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Département de Chimie, Zarzouna, Bizerte 7201, Tunisia
Mauritanian Copper Mines (MCM), First Quantum Minerals, Resource Development Project, Superintendent Geologist, Akjoujt 5045, Mauritania
Funding
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
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