Abstract
The magnetic fraction of sulphide mine tailings immediately above and below the watertable were examined. Samples originated from an experimental test cell at the Mattabi Mine refinery site, Sturgeon Lake, Ontario, Canada. XRD powder patterns of saturated zone samples show anomalous peaks for pyrrhotite and magnetite. The anomalous peaks are suggested to result from modifications to mineral structures due to the pressures and stresses associated with the milling of ore. Magnetite is observed to have developed (100) cleavages, and for pyrrhotite, a shift of the 202̄ peak to lower 2θ values occurs. The attenuation of anomalous magnetite and pyrrhotite peaks in unsaturated zone samples indicate milling increases the rate and susceptibility of these iron bearing phases to oxidation processes. Surface analysis of pyrrhotite grains using XPS shows Fe(OH) 3 as the dominant species on unsaturated zone surfaces and FeOOH as the predominant species on saturated zone surfaces. Fe(III) sulphate salts form in the capillary fringe immediately above the water table.
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