| 1. |
- Alakangas, Lena, et al.
(författare)
-
Norrbottens malm- och mineralresurs och dess potentiella betydelse för innovation, samhälle och miljö
- 2014
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Gruvindustrins betydelse för samhällsutveckling och infrastruktur i Sverige och inte minst i Norrbottens län är mycket stor. De geologiska förutsättningarna att hitta nya brytvärda förekomster i Norrbotten är goda. Länet är tillsammans med Västerbotten en av Europas viktigaste regioner för utvinning av metaller. Det syns också i den nyligen framtagna regionala mineralstrategin för Norrbotten och Västerbotten. Visionen för den regionala mineralstrategin: ”Genom långsiktigt hållbart nyttjande av Norrbottens och Västerbottens läns mineralresurser har ytterligare tillväxt skapats i regionen och hela Sverige. Vi har utvecklat och stärkt vår ställning som ledande gruv- och mineralnation.”Eftersom framtidspotentialen för gruvnäringen är mycket god men okunnigheten hos både allmänhet och beslutsfattare om näringens betydelse för innovation och samhällsutveckling är stor, kopplat med en utbredd oro för miljöpåverkan, måste dessa viktiga framtidsfrågor belysas. Med finansiering från Länsstyrelsen i Norrbotten bedrevs därför under första hälften av 2014 en förstudie som syftade till att sammanfatta kunskapsläget om framtidens gruvindustri i Norrbotten. Resultaten av förstudien redovisas i den här rapporten. En viktig slutsats är att det under nästa strukturfondsperiod (med start 2015) behövs ett framtidsinriktat forskningsprogram för att belysa de möjligheter som finns. Denna förstudie utgör grund för en kommande ansökan till strukturfonderna. Kompetensen som finns vid Luleå tekniska universitet, Sveriges centrum för gruvrelaterad forskning och utbildning, bör användas för att studera troliga framtidsmöjligheter och hur de ska kunna användas för att få en så positiv utveckling som möjligt för länet. Projektet bör innehålla följande tre huvudinriktningar, som naturligtvis hör ihop:Vilka malm- och mineralresurser finns det potential för i Norrbotten, och vilka kommer sannolikt att exploateras i framtiden?Vad kommer den exploateringen att ha för betydelse för innovation och samhällsutveckling?Vad kommer den exploateringen att få för miljöeffekter och hur ska man göra för att minska miljöbelastningen?En annan slutsats är att nedlagda gruvområden inte måste ses som förstörd natur. Betydande mervärden som gruvturism skulle kunna skapas om vilja, kreativitet och beslutsamhet finns. Detta är ett givet utvecklingsområde där småföretag och entreprenörer kan göra stor insats om de politiska och myndighetsmässiga förutsättningarna finns. Dessa aspekter skulle också kunna belysas i det föreslagna forskningsprogrammet eller i ett eget projekt.
|
|
| 2. |
- Hamberg, Roger, et al.
(författare)
-
The formation of unsaturated zones within cemented paste backfill mixtures : Effects on the release of copper, nickel, and zinc
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 25:21, s. 20809-20822
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Flooding of cemented paste backfill (CPB) filled mine workings is, commonly, a slow process and could lead to the formation of unsaturated zones within the CPB-fillings. This facilitates the oxidation of sulfide minerals, and thereby increases the risk of trace-metal leaching. Pyrrhotitic tailings from a gold mine (CT), containing elevated concentrations of Ni, Cu and Zn, were mixed with cement and/or fly ash (1-3 wt. %) to form CT-CPB-mixtures. Pyrrhotite oxidation progressed more extensively during unsaturated conditions, where acidity resulted in dissolution of the Ni, Cu, and Zn associated with amorphous Fe-precipitates and/or cementitious phases. The establishment of acidic, unsaturated conditions in CT-CBP:s with low fractions (1 wt. %) of binders increased the Cu-release (to be higher than that from CT), owing to the dissolution of Cu-associated amorphous Fe-precipitates. In CT-CPB:s with relatively high proportions of binder, acidity from pyrrhotite oxidation was buffered to a greater extent. At this stage, Zn-leaching increased due the occurrence of fly ash-specific Zn-species soluble in alkaline conditions. Irrespective of binder proportion and water saturation level, the Ni- and Zn-release were lower, compared to that in CT. Fractions of Ni, Zn, and Cu associated with acid-soluble phases or amorphous Fe-precipitates, susceptible to remobilization under acidic conditions, increased in tandem with binder fractions. Pyrrhotite oxidation occurred irrespective of the water saturation level in the CPB-mixtures. That in turn, poses an environmental risk, whereas a substantial proportion of Ni, Cu and Zn were associated with acid-soluble phases.
|
|
| 3. |
- Hällström, Lina, P.B
(författare)
-
Geochemical Characterization of Historical W, Cu and F Skarn Tailings at Yxsjöberg, Sweden : With focus on scheelite weathering and tungsten (W) mobility
- 2018
-
Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Little attention has been paid to tailings from skarn ore deposits and their environmental impact, even though they can contain elevated content of elements of potential concern. Historical skarn tailings from a former scheelite mine at Yxsjöberg, Sweden, containing e.g. Be, Bi, Cu, F, Sn, S, W, and Zn were geochemically characterized as a first step to evaluate the potential environmental impact and if re-mining of the tailings can be a remediation option. Beryllium, Bi, F, and W are considered as elements of potential concern, and are at the same time listed by the European Commission (2017) as critical raw materials. Scheelite is considered as a relatively stable mineral but most research has been focused on extraction processes. A few laboratory studies have shown weathering of scheelite by artificial groundwater, where the release of WO42-was hypothesized to be due to anion exchange by CO32-. Thus, the release of W from scheelite should be favorable in skarn tailings due to the presence of carbonates.The tailings at Yxsjöberg were deposited between 1897 and 1963 in the Smaltjärnen Repository without dams or a complete cover, and have been in contact with the atmosphere for more than 30 years. Four vertical cores (P2, P4, P5, and P7) throughout the tailings were taken and divided into 134 subsamples, and analyzed for their total chemical composition and paste pH. Selected samples from different depths were mineralogically characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman vibrational spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Minerals, hand-picked from drilled rock cores, were analyzed for the element content, and a modified Element to Mineral Conversion (EMC) in combination with a 7-step sequential extraction of the tailings was used to pinpoint the quantitative distribution of elements between the minerals in the tailings. Scheelite weathering and secondary sequestration of W was studied in detail in one representative core. The release of elements to groundwater in the tailings and downstream surface water was measured monthly during 2018 to especially examine the mobility of W.The average concentrations of Be, Bi, Cu, Sn, Zn, W, F and S in the tailings were 280, 490, 950, 560, 300, and 960 ppm, and 1.9 and 1.2 wt.%, respectively. The uppermost tailings have been exposed to the atmosphere for more 30 years, with intensive pyrrhotite oxidation and carbonate dissolution, resulting in low pH (<4) condition, release of elements, and subsequent formations of secondary minerals such as gypsum and hydrous ferric oxides (HFO). Two different deposition periods were identified in one vertical profile. The later period of deposition extended from the ground surface down to 3.5 m, and the older from 3.6 to 6 m. Both periods had unoxidized tailings in the bottom and oxidized sulfides, depletion of calcite and HFO formations upwards.Tungsten was primarily found in scheelite and the abundance was 0.1 wt.% in the tailings at Yxsjöberg. Accumulation peaks of W were found with depth in P2, P4 and P7. In the upper peak of P4, 30% of the total W was associated with secondary HFO. This indicates that weathering of scheelite and secondary capturing of W had occurred in the tailings. At present time, a peak of W in water soluble phases where coinciding with accumulated C in the solid phase at 2.5m depth. Carbonate ions were released when calcite was neutralizing the acid produced in the upper oxidized tailings and the released CO32-was transported downwards to conditions with pH >7. There, it mainly had precipitated as secondary calcite, but small parts are hypothesized to have exchanged WO42-on the surface of scheelite,releasing WO42-to the pore water. In the oxidized tailings of the older and deeper tailing,goethite was found as rims around scheelite grains. This is probably due to Fe ions attracted to the negative surface of scheelite. This is suggested to decrease further weathering of scheelite, and also to some extent decrease the release of WO42-to the groundwater from above lying layers through adsorption.The changes in geochemical conditions in the tailings have decreased the water quality in receiving waters of Smaltjärnens Repository with increased concentrations of Ca, F, Fe,Mn, and SO42-. pH was on average 6.3 in the groundwater in the tailings and 5.7 in the surface water 300 m downstream. EC was on average 2.6 mS/cm in the groundwater and 131 μS/cm in the surface water. Low concentrations of dissolved W was found in the groundwater (max: 20 μg/l) in the tailings and in the downstream surface water the W concentration (max: 0.2 μg/l) was 20 times larger than the reference sample. These results show that scheelite is releasing W to a limited degree to downstream waters and are therefore a potential resource to re-mine to support the supply of critical raw materials in the EU.Beryllium, F, and Zn were released to the downstream surface water from the Smaltjärnen Repository, and to a higher degree than W. The rare and easily-weathered mineral danalite (Fe4Be3(SiO4)3S) contained approximately 40% of the total Be and Zn concentrations in the tailings and is suggested to be the major source to the release of Be and Zn. Fluorine was mainly found in fluorite which showed signs of weathering in the acidic condition in the uppermost oxidized tailings, subsequent with decreased content in the tailings. The mobility of these elements will be further studied.
|
|
| 4. |
- Salifu, Musah, et al.
(författare)
-
Stable sulphur and oxygen isotopes as indicators of sulphide oxidation reaction pathways and historical environmental conditions in a Cu–W–F skarn tailings piles, south-central Sweden
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Applied Geochemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0883-2927 .- 1872-9134. ; 110
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improved remediation strategies or predictive modelling of acid mine drainage (AMD) sites, require detailed understanding of the sulphide oxidation reaction pathways, as well as pollutant-source characterisation. In this study, ore minerals, solids and water-soluble fractions of an oxidising Cu–W–F skarn tailings in Yxsjöberg, Sweden, were chemically and isotopically (δ34S and δ18O) characterised to reveal sulphate (SO42−) sources, sulphide oxidation reaction pathways and historical environmental conditions in the tailings. δ34S was additionally used to trace the weathering of danalite [(Fe,Mn,Zn)4Be3(SiO4)3S], a rare and unstable sulphur-bearing silicate mineral containing high concentrations of beryllium (Be) and zinc (Zn). Eighteen subsamples from a drill core of the tailings were subjected to batch leaching tests to obtain water-soluble fractions, which reflected both existing pore-waters and easily-soluble secondary minerals. The tailings were categorised into three geochemical zones: (i) oxidised zone (OZ), (ii) transition zone (TZ) and (iii) unoxidised zone (UZ), based on prevailing pH, elemental concentrations and colour. The upper OZ (UOZ) showed a sharp depletion of sulphur (S) and relatively higher δ18OSO4 values (−3.0 to +0.1‰) whereas the underlying lower OZ (LOZ) showed S accumulation and lower δ18OSO4 values (−4.6 to −4.2‰). The higher δ18OSO4 suggested the role of atmospheric oxygen, O2 (as oxidant), contribution of evaporated rainwaters and/or evaporation in the upper zones of the tailings. The lower δ18OSO4 values were indicative of ferric iron (Fe3+) as oxidant and the possible incorporation of 16O into SO42− during its formation, most probably from snow melt or depleted rainwater. The δ34SSO4 values in the OZ (+2.3 to +2.4‰) suggested SO42− from pyrrhotite oxidation in the UOZ which has been subsequently mobilised to the LOZ. Low δ34S fractionation (+0.2 to +1.9‰) between SO42− in the OZ and pyrrhotite, as well as the low δ18OSO4 values in the LOZ suggested the complete oxidation of pyrrhotite by Fe3+, signalling that previously, a low pH (<3) prevailed in the tailings. Mineralogical observations confirmed that pyrrhotite was completely oxidised in the UOZ, with the formation of hydrous ferric oxides (HFOs) coatings. The observed current high δ18OSO4 and pH (3.9–4.5) values in the UOZ were attributed to decreased oxidation rate and silicate buffering, limiting the availability of aqueous Fe3+ and subsequent formation of HFOs. The δ34SSO4 signatures of the water-soluble SO42− in the TZ and UUZ suggested the dissolution of gypsum which precipitated from a leachate from the weathering of danalite in the UOZ. In the middle UZ, the δ34SSO4 (−0.8 to +0.6‰) and δ18OSO4 (−1.8 to −1.0‰) signatures corresponded to SO42− from a mixture of pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite oxidation by O2 at the LOZ (i.e. oxidation front). Negative δ34S fractionation values (−3.0 to −1.6‰) between these minerals and the water-soluble SO42− were attributed to the potential formation of intermediate S species, due to the partial oxidation of the sulphides. Consequently, the S accumulation in the LOZ could be due to the likely formation of the intermediate S species and secondary pyrite identified in this zone. The lower UZ coincided with the groundwater table and registered consistent negative δ34SSO4 (−2.6 to −1.8‰) and δ18OSO4 (−7.6 to −4.4‰) values. These signatures were hypothesised to be controlled by SO42− from the mineralisation of organic S in peat underneath the tailings and/or H2S oxidation, with possible contribution from sulphide oxidation in the tailings. This study highlights the usefulness of δ34S and δ18O as tracers of geochemical processes and environmental conditions that have existed in the tailings.
|
|
| 5. |
- Alakangas, Lena, et al.
(författare)
-
Project: Improve Resource Efficiency and Minimize Environmental Footprint
- 2016
-
Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- The REMinE project is organized in five work packages that comprise: detailedcharacterization and risk assessment of the mine wastes selected (WP2), identification of new processing methods for mine waste (WP3), characterization and risk assessment of the remaining residuals (WP4), outlining business opportunities and environmental impact in a conceptual model for sustainable mining (WP5). The project comprises case studies of historical mine wastes from three different European countries, namely Portugal, Romania and Sweden. The interdisciplinary research collaboration in this project is innovative in the sense that separation of minerals and extraction of metals not only are basedon technical and economic gain but also considers the environmental perspective.
|
|
| 6. |
- Alakangas, Lena, et al.
(författare)
-
Project: Development, Evaluation and Optimization of Measures to Reduce the Impact on the Environment from Mining Activities in Northern Regions
- 2016
-
Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Min-North is a transnational project financed by the Interreg Nord program and coordinated by LTU. The project is a cooperation between Geological survey of Finland, GTK, Oulo University (Finland), The Arctic University of Norway, UiT and several (>17) small and large enterprises and mining companies in the northern region with expertise within geology, waste management, geophysics and geochemistry. The overall goal is to reduce the environmental impacts of mining in the northern regions by developing, evaluating, optimizing environmental techniques. In Sweden, geophysical and geochemical techniques will be integrated to develop a 4D model for tracing pollution transport in the mine waste, mine areas and in(to) the surroundings.
|
|
| 7. |
- Hällström, Lina, et al.
(författare)
-
Geochemical characterization of W, Cu and F skarn tailings at Yxsjöberg, Sweden
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Geochemical Exploration. - : Elsevier. - 0375-6742 .- 1879-1689. ; 194, s. 266-279
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little attention has been paid to tailings from skarn ore deposits and their environmental impact, even though they can contain elevated concentrations of elements of potential concern together with sulfides and fluorite. Historical skarn tailings at Yxsjöberg, Sweden, containing e.g. Be, Bi, Cu, F, Sn, S, W, and Zn were geochemically characterized as a first step to evaluate the environmental impact and the potential to re-mine the tailings. The tailings were deposited between 1897 and 1963 in the Smaltjärnen Repository without dams or a complete cover, and have been in contact with the atmosphere for >30 years. Four vertical cores throughout the tailings were taken and divided into 134 subsamples, which were analyzed for total concentrations and paste pH. Selected samples from different depths were mineralogically characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman vibrational spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Minerals, hand-picked from drilled rock cores, were analyzed for the element content, and a modified Element to Mineral Conversion (EMC) that pinpoints the quantitative distribution of elements between the minerals in the tailings was carried out. The average concentrations of Be, Bi, Cu, Sn, Zn, W, F and S in the tailings were 284, 495, 946, 559, 301, and 960 ppm, and 1.9 and 1.2 wt%, respectively. The tailings has reached a late stage development due to pyrrhotite oxidation resulting in low pH (<4) in the uppermost tailings, and formations of secondary minerals such as gypsum, hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) and orthogonal calcite. Secondary pyrite and magnetite, formed from monoclinic pyrrhotite was detected, and different weathering rates of secondary pyrite, hexagonal and monoclinic pyrrhotite was indicated, with secondary pyrite as the most stable and monoclinic pyrrhotite as the least. The rare and easily-weathered mineral danalite (Fe4Be3(SiO4)3S) was found in the drilled rock cores and by XRD in the tailings. However, the mineral could not be found by optical microscopy or SEM-EDS. This suggests that the mineral has been weathered to a great extent, which poses a high risk of releasing elements of potential concern to the groundwater since danalite contains approximately 40% of the total Be and Zn concentrations in the tailings. Fluorine was mainly found in fluorite, Cu in chalcopyrite, and Bi in bismuthinite; which all showed signs of weathering in acidic condition in the uppermost part, subsequent with decreased concentrations, followed by accumulation peaks deeper down in the tailings correlated with Al. Tungsten was mainly found in scheelite; most grains were unweathered, but a few grains had altered rims or HFO on the mineral surfaces. Tin was mainly found in ferrohornblende, hedenbergite and grossular. Beryllium, Cu, F, and Zn has high potential to be released to the surrounding environment from the Smaltjärnen Repository, while W, Bi and Sn are relatively stable in the tailings. Most of the scheelite is intact and re-mining could, therefore, be a suitable remediation method that would both reduce the environmental impact and simultaneously support the supply of critical raw materials in the EU.
|
|
| 8. |
- Hällström, Lina P.B., et al.
(författare)
-
The geochemical behaviour of Be and F in historical mine tailings of Yxsjöberg, Sweden
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Geochemical Exploration. - : Elsevier. - 0375-6742 .- 1879-1689. ; 218
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The speciation, mobility, transport, and fate of beryllium (Be) in the terrestrial environment is poorly studied even though it is considered to be one of the most hazardous elements in the periodic table. Historical tailings containing the unusual mineral danalite [Be3(Fe4.4Mn0.95Zn0.4)(SiO4)3.2S1.4] together with Fe-sulfides and fluorite has been stored open to the atmosphere for more than 50y. Environmental mineralogy, which combines geochemical and mineralogical techniques, was used to elucidate the weathering of danalite and fluorite. Danalite is unstable in oxic conditions due to the occurrence of Fe(II) and S-(II) in the crystal lattice and has oxidized at the same pace as pyrrhotite in the tailings. The acidic conditions generated from sulfide oxidation and the release of F from fluorite weathering have most likely enhanced Be mobility in the tailings. Secondary gypsum, hydrous ferric oxides and Al-oxyhydroxides are hypothesized to have played an important role regarding the mobility of Be in the tailings. The results indicate that Be released from danalite was first scavenged by these secondary minerals through co-precipitation. However, the dissolution of secondary gypsum due to changing geochemical conditions has also released Be to the groundwater. The groundwater at the shore of the tailings revealed the highest Be concentrations measured anywhere in the world (average: 4.5 mg/L) even though the water has a circumneutral pH. This extraordinary finding can be explained by high concentrations of F (73 mg/L), as F and Be have been shown to form strong complexes. The weathering of danalite and fluorite will continue for hundreds of years if remediation measures are not taken. Re-mining the tailings could be an appropriate remediation method.
|
|
| 9. |
- Hällström, Lina, et al.
(författare)
-
Scheelite weathering and tungsten (W) mobility in historical oxidic-sulfidic skarn tailings at Yxsjöberg, Sweden
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 27:6, s. 6180-6192
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- More knowledge of the geochemical behavior of tungsten (W) and associated contamination risks is needed. Therefore, weathering of scheelite (CaWO4) and secondary sequestration and transport of W to groundwater in historical skarn tailings and surface water downstream of the tailings were studied. The tailings contained 920 mg/kg W, primarily in scheelite. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses were combined to elucidate the geochemical behavior of W in the tailings, and water samples were taken monthly during 2018 to monitor its mobility. In the tailings, a large peak of W was found at 1.5 m depth. There, 30 wt%. of W was present in easily reducible phases, indicating former scheelite weathering. Currently, W is being released from scheelite to water-soluble phases at 2.5 m depth. The release of WO42− is hypothetically attributed to anion exchange with CO32− released from calcite neutralizing acid produced from pyrrhotite oxidation in the upper tailings and transported downwards to pH conditions > 7. Higher concentrations of dissolved W were found in the groundwater and particulate W in downstream surface water than in reference water, but they were lower than current contamination thresholds. Tungsten showed correlations with hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) in both the tailings and surface water.
|
|
| 10. |
- Salifu, Musah, et al.
(författare)
-
Sr/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr : A tracer for geochemical processes in mine wastes
- 2018
-
Ingår i: RISK TO OPPORTUNITY. - South Africa : ICARD/IWMA. ; , s. 723-728
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding geochemical processes in mining environments are essential to waste management decisions including remediation. In an attempt to understand geochemical processes, chemical data have mostly been used but these have oft en led to inaccurate conclusions. Th erefore, in this work 87Sr/86Sr, Sr/Ca and other elemental ratios (Ca/K and Rb/Sr) in leachates were employed to constrain the geochemical processes in an abandoned tungsten (W) tailings in Yxsjöberg, South-Central Sweden. Th e results of this study indicate that coupling chemical ratios with 87Sr/86Sr ratios off er better insights in discriminating between diff erent geochemical processes in mine wastes
|
|
