Abstract
The oxygen content of tailings dams around the Witwatersrand Basin was quantitatively measured over a period of 2 months using a multi-level gas sampling device (MLGS) in an attempt to understand the diffusion of oxygen in tailings dams as a result of acid mine drainage. The measured oxygen showed that the diffusion of oxygen in some Witwatersrand tailings dams is up to a depth of 4 m. In some instances the oxygen content in the layer 1m below the tailings surface decreased by a factor of more than 97% compared to the atmospheric content. The findings show that the development of oxidation zones in the tailings dams of Witwatersrand Basin which subsequently leads to acid mine drainage is limited by the amount of available oxygen in the tailings materials.
Highlights
Over the past few years, there have been concerted efforts throughout the world to mitigate the impacts of mine waste deposits on the environment
This paper presents results of the determination of oxygen availability in tailings dams
It can be concluded that oxygen depletion in the studied Witwatersrand tailings dams occurs rapidly from the atmosphere to the first few metres of the studied tailings dams
Summary
Over the past few years, there have been concerted efforts throughout the world to mitigate the impacts of mine waste deposits on the environment. The formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) from mine residue deposits is one of the major problems faced by the mining industry. It occurs when sulphide minerals in rocks and/or tailings are oxidised, usually because of exposure to moisture and oxygen (Ritchie, 2003). This paper presents results of the determination of oxygen availability in tailings dams. The generally accepted acid mine drainage equation below, shows that oxygen availability is a prerequisite in AMD generation (Davis et al, 1986)
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