Interaction of diamond mine waste and surface water in the Canadian Arctic

Abstract

Factors controlling the chemical composition of water interacting with finely-crushed kimberlite have been investigated by sampling pore waters from processed kimberlite fines stored in a containment facility. Discharge water from the diamond recovery plant and surface water from the containment facility, which acts as plant intake water, were also sampled. All waters sampled are pH-neutral, enriched in SO 4, Mg, Ca, and K, and low in Fe. Pore-water samples, representing the most concentrated waters, are characterized by the highest SO 4 (up to 4080 mg l −1), Mg (up to 870 mg l −1), and Ca (up to 473 mg l −1). The water discharged from the processing plant has higher concentrations of all major dissolved constituents than the intake water. The dominant minerals present in the processed fines and the kimberlite ore are serpentine and olivine, with small amounts of Ca sulphate and Fe sulphide restricted to mud xenoclasts. Reaction and inverse modeling suggest that much of the water-rock interaction takes place within the plant and involves the dissolution of chrysotile and Ca sulphate, and precipitation of silica and Mg carbonate. Evapoconcentration also appears to be a significant process affecting pore water composition in the containment facility. The reaction proposed to be occurring during ore processing involves the dissolution of CO 2(g) and may represent an opportunity to sequester atmospheric CO 2 through mineral carbonation.