Geochemistry of a copper mine tailings deposit in Repparfjorden, northern Norway

Abstract

This study investigates copper ore tailings deposited in Repparfjorden, Norway in the 1970's. Bathymetric show that the tailings deposit still occurs as a series of cone-shapes and has retained its original shape for four decades. Analytical data of 51 chemical elements show that some of the tailings are spreading, affecting fjord surface sediments in the inner part of the fjord. The deposited tailings are clearly enriched on the elements Ba, Bi, Cu, Hf and Zr and depleted of Ca, Li, Nb, Pb, Sc, V and Y. A hard pan horizon occurs at 20 cm sediment depth in large parts of the inner inlet, which seems to have precipitated during the deposition of tailings. New tailings were fabricated from the two local mineralisations and these display varying chemical results from each other but also in respect to the old, deposited tailings. Therefore, caution should be taken when making chemical predictions for a future deposit.