Mineral Processing Activities Research Articles

Donnan dialytic transport and biological removal of yttrium from multi-element solutions

Yttrium (Y), classified among the rare earth elements (REEs), plays an important role in modern technologies, contributing to the increase in mineral extraction and processing activities. Consequently, this trend leads to an elevated release of economically significant but potentially dangerous elements into the environment. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is recognized as a concern due to the presence of hazardous elements, however, it simultaneously serves as a valuable secondary source of critical elements.This study explores the recovery of Y(III) from multi-element solutions that simulate real AMD in terms of pH, the presence of various divalent cations, and sulfate. It investigates the recovery of Y(III) from multi-element solutions using a two-stage approach: cation exchange membrane (CEM) for Donnan dialytic Y(III) transport followed by biological treatment for Y recovery. The efficiency of Y(III) transport across the acid-resistant CEM, Fumasep FKS-PEP-130, reached 68.6 %, even in the presence of accompanying cations. The addition of strain J19, highly resistant to Y, led to approximately 89 % removal of Y(III) from the feed compartment.The proposed CEM transport/biological treatment concept offers the first efficient Y(III) recovery approach. This method will benefit future assays with real-field AMD, as it minimizes waste generation while effectively separating metals from sulfate, thereby reducing environmental impact.

Resource utilization of sulfidic copper tailings in calcium aluminate cement: Mechanical property, hydration process and environmental impact

Sulfidic copper tailings (STs) is a byproduct generated from mineral processing activities. To address this environmental burden, calcium aluminate cement (CAC) was used to utilize STs as cementitious materials. The influence of STs on the hydration process, mechanical properties and life-cycle assessment of STs blended CAC were investigated. Results show that the initial setting time of the samples is significantly shortened with the presence of STs. Moreover, the addition of STs greatly accelerates cement hydration and promotes the formation of ettringite, which is caused by the dissolution of sulfidic-rich STs. Hence, the hardened cement paste containing 5 wt.% STs with dense microstructure and high elastic modulus is achieved, which enhances the compressive strength for STs blended CAC. From an environmental point of view, the utilization of STs can save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. Such work may provide new insights into the application of sulfidic copper tailings in low-carbon cementitious materials.

Soil Mercury Pollution of Hainan Island, China: Patterns, Influencing Factors, and Health Risks

Due to the rapid expansion of tourism, mining, and manufacturing, the economy of Hainan Island in southern China has experienced swift growth. However, it also brings the risk of soil pollution by mercury (Hg) as a result of increased traffic and mineral processing activities. In order to investigate the characteristics of soil Hg pollution in Hainan Island and assess the health risk, a total of 239 samples were gathered from five representative regions across the island. The findings indicate considerable fluctuations in the soil Hg concentration across the five sub-study areas, which are influenced by factors such as wind direction, mining activities, and economic development. Changjiang Li Autonomous County, situated in the downwind direction (NW) and rich in mineral resources, shows the highest soil Hg concentration (10.00–1582.50 ng·g−1). Following closely are Haikou and Sanya, the two most economically developed cities on the island, with soil Hg concentrations of 8.33–321.50 ng·g−1 and 6.04–180.50 ng·g−1, respectively. Wuzhishan Nature Reserve and Lingshui Li Autonomous County, located in the upwind area (SE), show the lowest concentrations, ranging between 10.70–104.67 ng·g−1 and 9.43–84.00 ng·g−1, respectively. Both the Single Pollution Index method and the Geo-accumulation Index method were employed to assess the level of Hg pollution. The results indicate that nearly half of the sampling sites are contaminated, in which the proportion of contaminated sites in Sanya and Haikou are the highest, but the level of contamination is low; the heavily contaminated sites are predominantly found in Changjiang Li Autonomous County. However, the low Health Risk Index (HI) ranging from 0.0001 to 0.0334 suggests that although the soil is contaminated with Hg, it does not pose a substantial non-carcinogenic risk to human health.

Sustainability challenges of clean-energy critical minerals: copper and rare earths

The transition to a clean-energy economy in an effort to mitigate climate change has brought a need for intense mining exploration of a critical class of minerals, previously mined and used at a fraction of what is required today and for the upcoming decades. For some common metals, such as copper, major deficits are forecasted for 2030, and for some less common ones, such as rare earths, mined quantities have recently increased 32 times relative to those in the mid-1950s and are expected to increase sevenfold from current levels by 2040. This situation is expected to become more severe given the long time span needed for exploration of new sites, the declining ore grade of existing mines, the geographical distribution of these minerals and the environmental degradation caused by mining and mineral processing activities. It becomes, hence, critical to improve existing mining operations vastly, reduce waste volumes and fresh water use, reduce environmental impacts and recover increased quantities of minerals from mine tailings, as well as from the recycling of post-production products. This paper focuses on copper and rare earths to expound on their exploitation issues, their processes, the sustainable utilisation of mineral waste and tailings and their recovery from end-of-life consumer and industrial items.

The Characterization of Slovinky Sludge Bed Material Using Spectroscopic Methods

Slovakia has a long and distinguished tradition in the field of mining and in the processing of raw materials such as gold, silver, copper, and iron ores. In medieval times, the area that is today’s Slovakia was one of the most important producers and processors of sulfide ore, which was processed specifically by flotation. Flotation waste is the remains of fine-grained materials that are deposited in sludge beds after mining and mineral processing activities. Flotation waste also contains residues of heavy metals, which can pose a potential risk to the surrounding environment. The areas with this deposited material (heaps and sludge beds) have been classified as an environmental threat and require regular monitoring by government bodies. The Slovinky sludge bed is one of these areas. The aim of the work was therefore to investigate the selected physico-chemical properties of sludge flotation waste using spectroscopic methods (XPS, XRF, and AAS). Our findings showed that the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Ni exceeded the limits set by the relevant legislation by several fold even two decades after the end of mining and processing activities. Although the sludge bed material is alkaline, our results showed that the sludge bed material could be a potential source of selected heavy metals. The obtained data could help in the protection and restoration of areas affected by the mining and processing of sulfide ore.

Transformation of ecological-resource and ecological-geochemical functions of the lithosphere within the Stary Oskol–Gubkin mining district of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly

The impact of mining production on the natural environment shows itself in many ways: through changes in the chemical and mechanical composition of the atmosphere, deformation of the earth’s surface, activation of exogenous geomorphological processes, violation of hydrological regime, surface water and groundwater alteration, degradation of soil and vegetation cover, disruption of functioning (vital activity) of living organisms—from bacteria to humans. The purpose of this work was to assess the main trends of transformation of the ecological-resource and ecological-geochemical functions of the lithosphere within the Stary Oskol–Gubkin mining area of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. This area is a key site for such research in the central part of Russia, which is due to its natural and manmade features: the initial high quality of the natural environment, the high population density—36 people / km2, and the extremely high level of induced load as a result of the mineral mining and processing activities. The research methods included field observations, as well as soil sampling at 12 key sites and at three main rivers of the district. The ecological and geochemical studies were carried out using the quantitative atomic spectral analysis. In the process of research, the tendency of significant alkalinization of soils and surface waters was revealed to exceed background values by 30–50%. Extraction and processing of iron ore has led to a significant degradation of the ecological and resource function, which is manifested in the removal of soil cover over the areas of tens of km2. The main polluting elements are indicated, including Zn, Pb, Mo, Co, Cr, B, Cu. The trend of transformation of the macro- and mesocomponent composition of surface waters was recorded. The content of calcium, sodium, chlorides exceeds the similar indicators in other rivers by 2 to 10 times, and this excess in terms of the content of sulfates is 70 times.

N-Alkylated Chitin Nanocrystals as a Collector in Malachite Flotation

The majority of reagents currently used in mineral flotation processes are fossil-based and potentially harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to find environmentally-friendly alternatives to reduce the impact of mineral processing activities. Chitin nanocrystals are a renewable resource that, due to the natural presence of amino groups on its surface, represents a promising collector for various minerals of economic relevance. This study examines the one-pot functionalization of chitin nanocrystals with aldehyde structures to obtain hydrophobized colloids suitable for mineral flotation. The chemical properties of these nano-colloids were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, their colloidal behavior and structure by electrophoretic light scattering and atomic force microscopy, and their wettability through water contact angle measurements. The functionalized N-alkylated chitin nanocrystals possessed a hydrophobic character, were able to dress mineral particles and featured a performance in the flotation of malachite similar to commercial collectors, which proves the high potential of chitin nanocrystals in this field of application.

Traceological analysis of lithics from the Camel Site, al-Jawf, Saudi Arabia: an experimental approach to identifying mineral processing activities using silcrete tools

The Camel Site is in the north of Saudi Arabia in the province of al-Jawf. It is characterised by three decaying sandstone hillocks with life-sized 3D engravings (or reliefs) of camels and equids likely carved during later prehistory. A survey in the central area of the site identified clusters of flakes and other flintknapping remains in the lower areas between the sandstone spurs and larger silcrete tools directly underneath the animal depictions. Some of these tools presented abraded edges, possibly from prolonged contact with the soft and abrasive sandstone that constitutes the rock spurs where the animals were carved. Experiments were performed to test this hypothesis and have a reference collection for further traceological analysis. The chaine opératoire of the experimental engraving tools, from raw material procurement, tool manufacture and use, reuse and discard, was conducted with locally available materials comparable to the archaeological specimens. Specific experimental variables, including how the force was applied, in what direction the movement took place and the orientation of the stone tool during the experiment, were also recorded. Macro- and microscopic analyses of the experimental collection and a sample of archaeological artefacts seem to show that the ancient tools found on the surface were probably used to make the camelid and equid reliefs at the site.

Modelling releases from tailings in life cycle assessments of the mining sector: From generic models to reactive transport modelling

• Impacts associated with tailings releases are poorly quantified in LCA . • Comparison of different approaches to account for releases from tailings. • Generic inventory datasets may overestimate tailings releases to environment. • Interdisciplinarity is key to develop more complete models to be applied in LCA. Extracting mineral ores to produce mineral concentrates and finally metals that enter the value chains of different sectors is a waste intensive activity. In particular, mineral processing activities generate yearly and globally several billion tons of wastes called tailings. Tailings storage is associated with significant environmental risks due to different sources such as releases to groundwater. Yet, these environmental impacts are poorly taken into account in the environmental life cycle assessment of a concentrate or metal production, in particular due to a lack of representative data in the inventory. This paper aims at coupling geochemical modelling geochemical modelling with life cycle assessment to quantify releases from tailings and the associated environmental impacts. In the present work, reactive transport modelling was implemented to quantify more accurately short-term (100-year timeframe) and long-term (10,000 year-timeframe) tailings releases. Reactive transport modelling allows modelling and estimating the distributions in space and in time of chemical reactions occurring in a specific environment. The resulting tailings releases are compared with those calculated through the approach, based on a first order law of kinetics, used in the ecoinvent database. The results from the ecoinvent approach are calculated both with generic and site-specific parameters. These different approaches are applied on the case-study of a polymetallic sulphidic ore from a mine in Northern Europe. The tailings releases obtained through the different approaches differ. Overall, the reactive transport model leads to quantities released at both short-term and long-term timeframes being smaller than those calculated with the ecoinvent approach. As a result, the impacts on ecotoxicological and toxicological categories show differences between two to eight orders of magnitude. Each approach used to model the tailings releases differ in the nature and amount of data needed as well as in the sophistication of the model used. While the approach based on reactive transport modelling is exhaustive and presumably provides a more accurate prediction for the releases from tailings, it also requires massive computational resources and much larger volumes of data, some of which being difficult to obtain on-site. Consequently, a consensus has to be found between the complexity of the model used, the data availability and the expected reliability of the results.

Utilization of copper mine tailings as a partial substitute for cement in concrete construction

Mine tailings generated during mineral processing activities are one of the major global environmental problems. In addition to accumulating in the environment and disrupting the environmental aesthetics, these tailings cause heavy metal pollution in the surrounding areas. In this research, Sungun copper mine tailings from Iran were used as a partial substitute for cement in concrete construction. Slump, compressive strength, chloride penetration resistance, and TCLP tests were performed on the prepared concrete samples. The results showed that the compressive strength of the concrete samples increased after 90 days of construction. Although the 90-day compressive strength of the control sample increased 4-fold compared to the age of 28 days, the samples made with 10–50% and 60–70% mine tailings as a cement substitute had a 5-fold and 7-fold increase in their compressive strength, respectively. According to the results, it could be concluded that cement hydration process and C-S-H crystals growth were more in the samples containing 10 to 70% mine tailings replacing cement compared to the control sample. Resistance to chloride ion penetration increased at the age of 28 days in the samples containing 10 to 40% Sungun copper mine tailings as a cement replacement, but decreased in the samples containing 50 to 70% mine tailings. However, after 90 days, from the perspective of the replacement of cement by tailings, resistance to chloride ion penetration was higher in the concrete samples compared to the control. Leaching of heavy metals (lead, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium, cadmium, arsenic) in all the concrete samples was lower than the EPA standard allowable limit. Comparing the results of SEM and EDX images, it was found that after 90 days, the control sample had more ettringite than the sample made with 70% mine tailings replacing cement. Therefore, the concrete sample made with 70% cement-placing mine tailings was found to be more resistant to cracking over time.

Pedo-geochemical background and sediment contamination of metal(loid)s in the old mining-district of Salsigne (Orbiel valley, France)

The mining district of Salsigne in the Orbiel valley (Aude, France) was at one time the first gold mine in Europe and the first arsenic mine in the world. However, no scientific studies have evaluated the magnitude of its environmental impact. In this study, the pedo-geochemical background (PGB) was determined for 14 metal (loid) elements, including As. It appears that the PGB values for As and Sb are relatively high with 44±12 and 0.9±1.2 mg kg−1, respectively, because of the geological particularities of this area. In a second step, these PGB values (normalized with Ti concentrations) were used as local references to determine enrichment factors (EFs) of bed river sediments for the Orbiel River and two of its major tributaries (Gresillou and Russec rivers) collected between November 2018 and July 2020. Results showed that riverine sediments are contaminated by past mining activity and/or current storage areas. If we except the major elements (Fe, Ti and at a lesser extent Mn), we observed that As, Cu, Sb, Pb present the highest concentrations relative to the remaining elements (Cd, Co, V, Ni and Cr). In the case of As, EFs can reach 74 in the Orbiel River, 1000 in the Gresillou River and 27 in the Russec River. These calculations were also performed for sediments transported by the extreme flood of October 14, 2018, that killed 15 people and potentially remobilized contamination in the valley. We observed that the As concentrations of suspended samples from Grésillou and Russec rivers have reached 870 mg kg−1. Finally, the As concentrations measured in the river sediments of this valley are of the same order of magnitude than those published in the literature for environments strongly impacted by mining or mineral processing activities.

Safe and ecological performance of mining and processing industry

Mineral mining and processing activities result in highly toxic arsenic-bearing waste water discharged in natural water bodies. The promising methods of arsenic removal from waste water use adsorption at natural sorbents and oxidizers. The tests of arsenic removal by adsorption at magnesium- and manganese-bearing minerals show that the use of these natural raw materials can greatly enhance efficiency of the environmental activities in the mining and processing industry.

Nearshore marine garnet and magnetite placers in the Erongo and S-Kunene regions, Namibia

Reddish to black colored heavy mineral sands occur alongside the several hundred-kilometer long placer district in the Erongo and S-Kunene regions in Namibia and are the focus of this study. The sedimentary packages of these nearshore marine ‘garnet’ and ‘magnetite’ placers consist of millimeter to decimeter thick discontinuous, alternating layers of heavy minerals (ρ > 2.90 g/cm³) set into dominantly feldspatho-quartzose layers. The fine-to medium-grained sands are largely unimodal, well sorted, and have similar bulk mineralogical compositions. A clear trend in grain size distribution is evident with translucent (Al2SiO5 phases, apatite, epidote, garnet, monazite, pyroxene, rutile, schorl, sphene, staurolite, zircon, zoisite) and opaque heavy minerals (Fe–Ti oxides) mostly related to the fine-sand fraction and rock-forming minerals (quartz, feldspars, micas, carbonates) to the medium sand-fraction. Fines are negligible. Grain circularity varies largely between 0.9 and 0.8. Heavy mineral sands between the Omaruru and the Huab Rivers are garnet-dominated, whereas the southernmost heavy mineral sands close to Swakopmund are (titano)magnetite-ilmenite dominated. Overall, the heavy mineral content of sampled layers is ~22–94 vol%. Three placer areas (1) the area around Swakopmund, (2) the region north of the Omaruru River, straddling north beyond Cape Cross and (3) the Northern region, south of Horing bay to Toscanini, can be delineated based on mineralogical and grain parameters. The bulk of the heavy minerals is likely derived from metamorphic rocks within the catchment of the Orange River of South Africa, with minor contributions from the Kuiseb and Swakop Rivers in Namibia. A Damara provenance of some detrital material is indicated. The contribution of ephemeral hinterland rivers is negligible. Naturally occurring tidal actions of the Atlantic Ocean continually reshape, redeposit and replenish the high-grade heavy mineral sands and impinge on the regional sorting trends. Future mining and mineral processing activities may concentrate on the heavy mineral sands close to Swakopmund as they have the highest zircon and monazite potential and bear the most promising Ti resource. However, these coastal environments are eco-sensitive and most of the locations are within national parks belonging to the natural heritage of Namibia.

Проблемы и перспективы развития «Южуралзолото Группа компаний» в условиях проявления глобальных вызовов

The 2020 Pandemic has become a global economic, social and environmental challenge for all countries, including those engaged in mining and that are not expected to stop their mining and mineral processing activities for technical and economic reasons. The mining sector will be particularly important in the near future for the economy of the developed countries as the foundation to recover from the crisis. Mining companies in Russia have demonstrated their resilience to this global-scale shock. Mining companies had to adapt quickly to the new conditions to ensure sustainability during this period. Strategic management of risks associated with the pandemic as well as adequate and timely decisions made by the management of the Uzhuralzoloto Group of Companies ensured sustainable operation of all the mining facilities. The company met the challenges of the global pandemic with a sufficient stock of strength, a commitment to effectively ensure sustainable operation, to maintain the required level of safety and to provide the necessary support to the local administration and communities in the region.

Bioleaching of manganese from a low-grade pyrolusite ore using Aspergillus niger: Process optimization and kinetic studies

Low-grade metal resources generated during different mineral processing activities are increasing while there are not many economic and environmentally friendly techniques to manage them. There is no viable technique for the manganese extraction from low-grade ores as the conventional procedures are costly and environmentally unfriendly. In this research, the D-optimal response surface methodology has been used to optimize the bioleaching parameters. Varied contact methods (one-step, two-step, and spent medium), nutrition sources (sucrose and glucose), and pulp densities (1 g.L−1 to 10 g.L−1) were used in different experiments having been done in 30 days using Aspergillus niger. A maximum recovery of over 80% of Mn was achieved based on the acidolysis, complexolysis, and redoxolysis leaching of the organic acids produced by the fungi under the optimum condition; a two-step approach, in a glucose medium, and with a pulp density of 1 g.L−1. A kinetic study was also performed and revealed that the leaching mechanism was a mixed one which consisted of two stages (diffusion through the liquid film and a chemical reaction) for the first 12 day period, and a mechanism of diffusion through the product layer for the rest of the experiment.

Studies on zinc recovery from technogenic waste

Results from laboratory experiments are presented on extraction of zinc available in waste from lead-zinc metallurgy, mixed with lead-zinc flotation tailings and some waste rock, by leaching it under atmospheric conditions with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solutions (5 and 10 wt. %) and 30 % hydrogen peroxide in the temperature range of 25 - 80 °C, at leaching time 30 - 120 min. Material leaching with 10 % H2SO4solution at 70 °C for one hour brings into pregnant leach solution (PLS) around 80 % of zinc available. Imposing an electrochemical impact during the leaching process increases the quantity of leached zinc by around 5 %. Direct electrowinning from the PLS obtains zinc metal of grade 75-76 %. The suggested treatment removes metals-pollutants from accumulated mixed technogenic waste therefore rendering it more environmentally friendly. Experiments showed that old mixed waste from mining, mineral processing and metallurgy activities merits further studies as secondary source of metals.

Intelligent dry fog dust suppression system: an efficient technique for controlling air pollution in the mineral processing plant

Dust suppression system plays a significant role in mining and allied industries. It has become an integral part of the environmental management system. Dust emission from mining and mineral processing industries poses environmental and health problems to workers and surrounding people. Dust creates a reliability issue in machinery and ventilation systems, causing infrastructural damage and the industry’s financial losses. This paper deals with a smart dry fog dust suppression system which has been developed for effectively controlling dust emission from mining and mineral processing activities. The system has been implemented in an iron ore crushing and screening plant in India, and its efficacy has been evaluated for controlling dust emission. The installed dry fog system reduced dust concentration to 0.10–0.17 mg m−3 from the prevailing dust concentration of 0.62–1.73 mg m−3 in work zone areas, which was much below the permissible limit below 1 mg m−3 where silica content in the dust was less than 5%. Percentage of free silica in the work zone dust reduced to traces from 3.61 to 4.80%. Similarly, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the ambient air were decreased to 90–99 μg m−3 and 49–58 μg m−3 from 185 to 250 μg m−3 and 148–200 μg m−3, respectively. Further, concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were drastically reduced by 51.35–60.4% and 69.69–71.0%, respectively. The reduced dust concentrations in the ambient air were within the prescribed limit of PM10 (100 μg m−3) and PM2.5 (60 μg m−3). The system significantly reduces dust and free silica concentration in the work zone areas below the permissible limit. The system controls dust emission with an increase in production as it has been found that the number of nozzles is directly correlated with a reduction in dust. Furthermore, the system does not change the raw material’s mass as water added to dust is less than 0.01% of the raw material. The system is designed to give the best results within the closed environment of the plant. The system helps in eco-friendly and clean mining. The system reduces the breakdown and maintenance cost of mining equipment, thereby decreasing overall operating costs. Further, the system minimizes mine workers’ health problems, like silicosis and severe other occupation diseases. The system is automatic, cost-effective, energy efficient, and easy to maintain. Further, the system is capable of handling dust problems in the closed environment of crushing and screening plants. These properties make the system techno-economically feasible for installation in mineral processing plants.

Africa: Taking fire safety forwards

SummaryThe population of Africa has increased rapidly, with a population of 630 million in 1990 exploding to a population of 1.2 billion in 2016. Furthermore, across the continent, there is rapid urbanisation combined with a significant growth in mining, mineral processing, transportation, fuel storage, energy generation and industrial activities. This has resulted in the fire risk for the continent growing exponentially in the past decades, and it is the cause for serious concern that there are very few educational, research and regulatory bodies providing the necessary training and knowledge basis to keep the continent safe from fire. It is with this background that this paper seeks to provide: (a) a high‐level overview of Africa's recent growth and development, that is illustrated with (b) a number of recent disasters that present events that could become more commonplace if action is not taken which (c) is used to explain the growing fire risk on the continent, and leads to the proposal of (d) a high‐level roadmap for producing a continent that is more resilient to fire. International data from developed countries are used to demonstrate how the application of fire engineering standards and knowledge has improved fire safety and reduced losses in various developed countries, and Africa could potentially follow this trend, although there are significant challenges that must be faced.

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in soil and water resources around Taknar copper mine (NE Iran)

The study area is located in North Eastern Iran, near Taknar copper deposit where exploration, extraction and processing operations are ongoing. The purpose of this study is to understand the geochemical effects of mining activities in Taknar area and to evaluate the contamination of soil and water resources with heavy metals. The results of pollution indices such as CF, Igeo and EF and multivariate (geo)statistical analysis indicate anthropogenic source for Cu and Se elements, mostly related to mining and mineral processing activities, natural origin of Cr, Ni and Co and both anthropogenic and natural origin for Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Sb and Mo elements. The results also indicate the water and soil of the flotation plant and mining tunnels can be harmful. Fortunately, the water resources used by the staff, downstream aqueduct of the mine and the water of the villages in the south of the mine are free of contaminated elements.

Potential ecological and health risks of toxic metals associated with artisanal mining contamination in Ijero, southwest Nigeria

This investigation was done to decide the concentrations, sources and potential risks of metals in media around Ijero area. A total of 80 samples including topsoils, sediments, tailings and whole plants were gathered from this territory while control samples were taken from zone with less human exercises. Samples were pounded, sieved and chemically analyzed utilizing Agilent High Plasma Liquid Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer. Results demonstrated that the mean concentrations of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in soils are 30.61 and 123.71 µg/g individually. In tailings the mean distribution of Pb and Zn are 33.16 and 22.44 µg/g each. Toxic units in all media were less than 4, indicating low effect on the ecosystem. Bivariate correlation, hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses revealed that metals in media from this area originated from mining and mineral processing activities, mixed and geogenic sources. Study revealed that metals in the media pose high degree of contamination and moderate to high ecological hazard. Also, there is high cancer-causing hazard index (HI) (10−6–10−4) and non-cancer-causing (HI > 1) dangers which is more articulated in kids than the grown-ups. It is important to introduce measures that will decrease the negative impacts associated with mining in the area.