Geoinformation Modeling of Sulfide Frost Weathering in the Area of Udokan Deposit

Abstract

The developed geoinformation technology based on the experimental and computer-aided physicochemical modeling enables quantitative calculation and mapping of aftereffects of geochemical processes in sulfide material dumps in terms of Udokan copper deposit. The role of nitrogen as a component of acid rains is emphasized together with its effect on chemical weathering of sulfides. The authors report modeling and testing data on oxidative leaching of Udokan sulfide ore using nitrogen compounds. The classical and geoinformation approaches to calculating leakage flux being of importance for exploration and geoecology studies in permafrost are compared. The obtained results on intensification of sulfide oxidation under conditions of permafrost allow estimating potential environmental impact of the planned mining operations at Udokan deposit and can be used to improve the current cryo-geotechnologies of metal ore mining.