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Arsenic fixation and tailings disposal in METBA’s gold project

  • Chapter
Sulphide deposits—their origin and processing

Abstract

Research for arsenic fixation from liquid effluents has been lately intensified worldwide due to the need to treat ores and concentrates of lower grade and higher impurity, content and the necessity to comply with stringent environmental regulations for residue disposal.

The objective of this work is to highlight the stability and describe the disposal technique of arsenic containing solid effluents arising from the treatment of gold bearing Olympias pyrite — arsenopyrite concentrate using the aqueous pressure oxidation method (SHERRITT process).

The results of a miniplant campaign indicate that approximately 90% of the arsenic contained in the feed precipitates during autoclave oxidation and is fixed in a crystalline form, unidentified as yet, but resembling the structure of basic ferric sulphates. The residual arsenic solubilized during autoclave oxidation is precipitated in the form of “basic ferric arsenates” with excess limestone-lime addition. Standard EPA toxicity tests and long term stability studies of above residues indicate that these can be safely disposed without adverse environmental impact.

Adoption of sub-aerial disposal technique in place of the conventional sub-aqueous technique provides a further safeguard for environmental protection. An extensive testwork program including triaxial cyclic tests, settling, permeability and chemical stability was undertaken to design the tailings pond. The main design criteria of the tailings pond include:

  • secure containment of all solids and liquids and controlled collection, removal and recycling of liquids to the plant with underseal liner permeability less than 10-7cm/s.

  • liquefaction resistance to 8.5 Richter magnitude earthquake.

  • compatibility with 24 h heavy rainstorm and reclamation of the tailings surface with topsoiling and revegetation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. METBA S.A., Athens, Greece

    M. Stefanakis

  2. Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    A. Kontopoulos

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  1. M. Stefanakis
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  2. A. Kontopoulos
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Editor information

P. M. J. Gray G. J. Bowyer J. F. Castle D. J. Vaughan N. A. Warner

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© 1990 The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy

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Stefanakis, M., Kontopoulos, A. (1990). Arsenic fixation and tailings disposal in METBA’s gold project. In: Gray, P.M.J., Bowyer, G.J., Castle, J.F., Vaughan, D.J., Warner, N.A. (eds) Sulphide deposits—their origin and processing. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0809-3_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0809-3_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6851-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0809-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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