Abstract
The prevention of acid generation from sulfidic mine wastes is a problem that challenges the global scientific community for decades. A promising strategy is related to the formation of coating layer around sulfides for inhibiting surface oxidation. In the current research, the conditions favoring the formation of an efficient silicate-based coating around pyrite and arsenopyrite were studied, using batch tests. The coating solutions contained silicate-oxyanions, an oxidant (H2O2) and buffered at pH 6. The effect of Si concentration (0.1-50mM), liquid/solid ratio (5-100mL/g) and contact time (up to 24h) was investigated. Pyrite tailings treated with a solution of 1mM Si/0.1M H2O2 at L/S:100mL/g for 24h resulted in the optimum formation of a coating, which reduced the amount of SO4-2-released by 72%, compared to the sample treated in the absence of Si. However, silicate treatment had a negative effect on arsenopyrite tailings inducing As mobilization.
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