An analysis of the interaction of infiltration waters from tungsten ore processing tailings and limestone

Abstract

An experimental plant designed to study the interaction of acidic pore waters in tailings ponds was developed. The study showed that processing tailings of the Dzhida tungsten-molybdenum plant contain residual ore mineralization, which decomposed during long-term storage. The filtrate obtained by washing sand with distilled water contains sulfur, aluminum, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cadmium and other components. To displace all dissolved substances from the pore space of sand, the threefold volume of water is sufficient. When the filtrate is neutralized with limestone under the dynamic conditions, amorphous compounds of iron, calcium, aluminum, sulfur, silicon, and fluorine are precipitated and the minerals gypsum, dolomite, and smithsonite appear. In addition, precipitation of non-ferrous and rare earth elements occurs on the surface of limestone. The study revealed an europium anomaly. To precipitate rare earth elements from a solution, it is necessary to use substances with an active surface.