Characterization and Desulphurization of Reactive Mine Tailings

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is produced when sulphide-bearing mine tailings is exposed to oxygen and water and accelerated by naturally-occurring bacteria that assist in the breakdown of sulphide minerals. AMD can severely pollute surface and ground-water, as well as soils. Therefore, mine planners and managers must identify techniques that will minimize AMD impacts on life forms and their environment. In the present study, a site-specific study is carried out to assess the suitability of froth flotation for desulphurization of reactive mine tailings with an Outokumpu flotation unit, type OK0.05 at the Musselwhite Gold Mine, Northern Ontario, Canada, to prevent AMD. During froth flotation of mine tailings, a large quantity of samples must be handled and analyzed for total sulphur content with accuracy and precision. Therefore, a robust, rapid and easy digestion procedure for analysis of total sulphur in mine tailings using Inductively Coupled Plasma is also developed.