Tin Tailings Research Articles

Heavy Metals Content and Pollution in Tin Tailings from Singkep Island, Riau, Indonesia

Instead of its economic impact, tin mining activities cause environmental problems. The tin occurrence which is related to tin-bearing alteration on S-type Muncung Granite and its mining history in Singkep Island describes in this study. This work assessed the heavy metals concentration in six tin tailings and two soils from Singkep using inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry in correlation to environmental hazard. Both primary and placer mining methods applied in tin excavations on the studied area. Concentration tendency of heavy metals in the six studied tailings samples is generally Cr>Pb>As>Ba≈V. The identical heavy metals trend represented by the three samples from Bukit Tumang might reflect a similar primary tailings character. On the other hand, anthropogenic activities and different surrounding rocks caused the dissimilarity of heavy metals pattern on placer wastes. Higher environmental problems are detected on the primary wastes than the placer one, especially arsenic and chrome. Severe arsenic pollution degree is also indicated in the soil sample just outside the mining location at Betong Village. Conservation and amelioration programs are useful in improving the environmental condition on studied locations.

Characterization of Rare Earth Elements in Tailing of Ex-Tin Mining Sands from Singkep Island, Indonesia

The objective of this research is to determine the rare earth elements (REEs) from themonazite minerals content of several tin tailing sands (TTS)of ex-tin mining area in Kuala Raya Singkep Island, Indonesia. We used the energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX)-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to characterize the contents of the samples. The coupled analytical of XRD with SEM/EDX approach enabled to be used for mineralogical identification on the heavy mineral as a rapid determination approach. The analysis of the samples indicates only the presence of REEs including lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and thorium (Th) are consistent with the identification of monazite and minerals in the tailing sand. The results show that the average REEs consist of La at 0.2 .%, Ce at 7.8 %, and Th at 2.0% respectively. It is concluded that monazite minerals in TTS has an economic potential to be developed. These monazite minerals can be used as material for semiconductor devices.

HUBUNGAN LUAS DAUN TERHADAP PERTAMBAHAN BERAT KERING RUMPUT GAJAH DI BERBAGAI PERLAKUAN DI MEDIA TAILING TIMAH

Elephant grass (Pannisetum purpureum) can grow in various types of land conditions and produces and is resistant to environmental stress. The predominant sand tin tailing conditions and poor nutrients cause limited plant growth above them. This research tested some kind of fertilizer treatment on sand tailing media after tin addition by using elephant grass plants. The results showed that the type of fertilizer had significant effect on the specific leaf area variant, the ratio of leaf area and the leaf weight ratio. Overall growth were greatly depressed on the 100% tailings treatment. Lime applied in conjunction with NPK fertilizer was not show the total leaf weight that was different from the addition of NPK alone. NPK fertilizers better influence the growth of elephant leaves in tin tailings than organic fertilizers. The best treatment was obtained on organic fertilization with NPK inorganic fertilization. The association of total dry weight of elephant grass with specific area of elephant grass leaf was only visible in organic fertilization treatment together with NPK inorganic fertilizer. In the best condition of elephant grass growth, the specific leaf area had a significant role to increase the total weight of the plant with the value of r2 = 0.864 or LDS will affect the total dry weight of elephant grass in the tailings medium with the addition of organic and inorganic materials NPK of 86.4 percent the remaining 13.6% increase in total dry weight was influenced by factors other than specific leaf area.

Assessment of impact of urbanisation on background radiation exposure and human health risk estimation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has been undergoing rapid urbanisation process, mainly in infrastructure development. The opening of new township and residential in former tin mining areas, particularly in the heavy mineral- or tin-bearing alluvial soil in Kuala Lumpur, is a contentious subject in land-use regulation. Construction practices, i.e. reclamation and dredging in these areas are potential to enhance the radioactivity levels of soil and subsequently, increase the existing background gamma radiation levels. This situation is worsened with the utilisation of tin tailings as construction materials apart from unavoidable soil pollutions due to naturally occurring radioactive materials in construction materials, e.g. granitic aggregate, cement and red clay brick. This study was conducted to assess the urbanisation impacts on background gamma radiation in Kuala Lumpur. The study found that the mean value of measured dose rate was 251±6nGyh−1 (156–392nGyh−1) and 4 times higher than the world average value. High radioactivity levels of 238U (95±12Bqkg−1), 232Th (191±23Bqkg−1,) and 40K (727±130Bqkg−1) in soil were identified as the major source of high radiation exposure. Based on statistical ANOVA, t-test, and analyses of cumulative probability distribution, this study has statistically verified the dose enhancements in the background radiation. The effective dose was estimated to be 0.31±0.01mSvy−1 per man. The recommended ICRP reference level (1–20mSvy−1) is applicable to the involved existing exposure situation in this study. The estimated effective dose in this study is lower than the ICRP reference level and too low to cause deterministic radiation effects. Nevertheless based on estimations of lifetime radiation exposure risks, this study found that there was small probability for individual in Kuala Lumpur being diagnosed with cancer and dying of cancer.

The Use of Quicklime in Acid Mine Drainage Treatment

In this study, quick lime or calcium oxide (CaO) is used to treat acid mine drainage (AMD). Quick lime was obtained from quarry in Simpang Pulai, Ipoh, Perak. Quick lime is produced by calcination process of limestone at a temperature around of 900 °C to 950 °C. Acid mine drainage (AMD) was collected from a tin tailing pond that located in Perak. Jar test method was used to study the effectiveness of quick lime in AMD treatment. There are five parameters of weights and six interval times used in the experiments. The weights of quick lime used in this study were 1 g, 1.5 g, 2.0 g, 2.5 g and 3 g. The interval times used were 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min and 60 min. For each experiment, 1 L water sample was poured into a 2 L beaker and quick lime was added into the water sample. Mechanical stirrer with speed 700 rpm was used in all the experiments. The quick lime before and after treatment were analysed by using carbon and sulphur analyser for sulphur percentage. From the results of the jar test, quick lime is found to be capable to increase the pH value and decrease the amount of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium in AMD.

Secondary Metabolites of Tin Tailings Streptomyces AE21985

Secondary Metabolites of Tin Tailings Streptomyces AE21985

A study of the reprocessing of fine and ultrafine cassiterite from gravity tailing residues by using various flotation techniques

This study investigates the reprocessing of once disposed tin tailings from a historic German tin operation through different surface properties based processing techniques. Froth flotation and agglomeration flotation, by using commercially available cassiterite collectors from Clariant, were chosen as processing techniques. Isooctane as a nonpolar oil was used to promote the collection of ultrafine (−10μm) cassiterite by selective agglomeration, and thus, size enlargement. Results indicate that by using sulfosuccinamates as a collector, around 80% of the fine (−50μm) to very fine (−20μm) cassiterite can be recovered (representing ∼50% of the total cassiterite in the tailings sample). Agglomeration flotation experiments showed inferior results for recovering the ultrafine cassiterite (for feed fractions in the −25μm size range). Oil/froth interaction and increased pulp ion content are considered as the main contributing causes.

The Comparison of Soil Properties in Heath Forest and Post-tin Mined Land: Basic for Ecosystem Restoration

Heath forest is a restricted forest ecosystem in the world. In Indonesia, heath forest degradation caused by tin mining activity on Belitung Island emerges biodiversity lost and soil properties lost. In fact, they play important role as main aspect for rehabilitiation. This study aims to describe soil properties and vegetation in heath forest and two different ages of tin mined land. The result shows thatin 3 year tailing contains very high amount of sand, low organic matter, low CEC which effect to desertification that hindered plant to grow. Indeed, low organic matter affects low water absorbtion. Meanwhile, 130 year tailing results lower amount of sand than 3 year tailing. Adequate organic matter closes to organic matter in the forest and appropriate CEC. Soil development in tin tailing soil takeshundreds years to slightly improve naturally. Several soil amendments could be implemented to improve sandy soil, such by adding organic matterial, following with polymer fertilizer. Heath forest restorationby natural succession approach should select local species which well adapted as pioneer and apply seedbank from forest floor as seed source of native species.

Gross alpha and gross beta activity in the products and by-product of amang tin tailings process

Gross alpha and gross beta activities were determined for mineral samples collected from five amang tailing factories. The measured activity of alpha ranged from 31 to 220,000 Bq kg−1 with an average 9,154 Bq kg−1, whereas for beta activity ranged from 9 to 552,000 Bq kg−1 with an average 19,811 Bq kg−1. The higher gross alpha and gross beta observed of monazite while the lowest recorded of waste (sand) and pyrite for gross alpha and gross beta activity respectively. The minimum detectable activities were 180 and 40 Bq kg−1 for gross alpha and gross beta respectively.

Beneficiation of Cassiterite Fines from a Tin Tailing Slime by Froth Flotation

The beneficiation of cassiterite fines from a tailing slime in the Datun concentration plant was studied through a froth flotation process, with the chemical scheme of benzohydroxamic acid as collector, lead nitrate as activator, and pine oil as frother. It was found that tin values are mainly contained in the fine fraction of the sample and cassiterite is mostly associated with iron minerals and calcium minerals, so that the desliming treatment and the addition of dispersants and depressants can not be used as it generally results in the undesired loss of tin values. A novel flotation process with no dispersant and depressant as well as no desliming was developed. It showed that this process was effective in recovering the tin values from the tailing slime assaying 0.18% Sn, and produced a concentrate assaying 3.5% Sn with the recovery of 74.16%. It has been found that pine oil played a significant role in improving the recovery for tin values.

Permeability Number for Various Grain Size of Tin Mine Tailing Sand for Greensand Casting Mould

Tin tailing sand is one of the residues from tin extraction. Tailing sand for sampling was taken from Batu Gajah, which was one of the active locations in tin mining in Malaysia. The silica content of tailing sand from Batu Gajah is between 95.9 to 98.9%. This research is to determine the effect of grain size by the increasing of water content on the permeability number. Grain size is a major determinant of mould and core permeability and surface finish of the casting. In this research involved the process of conducting the mechanical sieve grading to identify the grain size for this research. Sample was graded into 425 μm, 297 μm and 149 μm. Experiments were conducted according to American Foundrymen Society (AFS) standard of procedures. Cylindrical test pieces dimensioning of Ø50 mm×50 mm in height from various grain sand sizewater ratios bonded with 5wt% clay, were compacted by applying three ramming blows of 6666 g each using Ridsdale-Dietert metric standard rammer. The test pieces were tested for permeability number with Ridsdale-Dietert permeability meter. Grain sand size of 297 μm was discovered has appropriate permeability number with the water content of 4% which is within the requirement as moulding sand.

Preparation and UV-shielding property of Zr0.7Ce0.3O2–kaolinite nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of Zr0.7Ce0.3O2–kaolinite were prepared by two different methods. The first method was by solid mixing of kaolinite and Zr0.7Ce0.3O2 (ZrCeO), the latter being prepared by a citric acid complexion method, using an agate pestle and mortar as the mixing medium. The second method was by adding kaolinite during the synthesis of Zr0.7Ce0.3O2 (ZrCeO) itself. Kaolinite was obtained by the elutriation of tin tailing, which was then exfoliated by planetary ball milling with 40mass% of urea for 1–5h. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and specific surface area (SSA) determination using the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) method. The characterization results proved that kaolinite was successfully exfoliated by urea treatment after 5h. It was also found that ZrCeO–exfoliated kaolinite nanocomposite, synthesized by the citric acid complexion method, without adding NH3, showed the highest UV-shielding property of >80% absorption ability for wavelength <400nm. This is better than pure ZrCeO, even at the lower content of ZrCeO in the nanocomposite (i.e. at 70mass% content).

Beneficiation of Cassiterite and Iron Minerals From a Tin Tailing with Magnetizing Roasting-Magnetic Separation Process

The beneficiation of cassiterite and iron minerals from tin tailings with magnetizing roasting and low-intensity magnetic separation (MR-LMS) process was studied in this work. It showed that the process was effective in recovering the tin and iron values from the refractory ore, produced a high-quality iron concentrate assaying 64.68% Fe with the recovery of 87.47% and a tin-rich middling assaying 4.10% Sn with the tin recovery of 63.55%, from the tin tailing assaying 0.20% Sn and 14.56% Fe. It has been found that the key point of the process was the step of magnetizing roasting, which converted hematite and limonite into magnetite. The separation efficiency of the process closely correlated with roasting temperature, roasting time, lignite addition, and the liberation of cassiterite with the iron minerals.

Effect of Tin Tailings on Some Refractory Properties of Alumino-Silicates (Alkaleri) Clay

The possibilities of upgrading some refractory properties of Alkaleri Clay (Alumino-silicates), found in Alkaleri Village, Bauchi State, Nigeria, by blending with tin tailings for the production of fireclay refractory bricks were investigated. Refractory properties such as: linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, bulk density, cold crushing strength and thermal shock resistance were tested with percentage additions of tin tailings from 5 - 30 wt% in the blend. The test was conducted using the standard test techniques in each case. The results were compared with standard refractory properties for fire clay bricks. Cold crushing strength, bulk density, refractoriness and thermal shock resistance of the bricks made from the blend clay increased, as the percentages of tin tailings increased. The Linear shrinkage and apparent porosity decreased as the percentages of tin tailings addition increased. All the values obtained from the blends are within the recommended values for dense fireclay bricks. Hence, dense fireclay can be produced from this blended.

Recovery of Fine Cassiterite from Tin Tailings Slime by Froth Flotation

Tin gravity slime tailings of Datun mineral processing plant in south-eastern China contains fine and ultrafine cassiterite. Tin recovery from the slime tailings was studies in the presence of different flotation reagents. A flotation process has been used on a laboratory scale to investigate the effect of various reagents such as collectors, auxiliary collector, activators, ect., and theirs dosages in neutral flotation environment. To reach an optimum tin recovery, different dosages of the reagents were also studied. Due to cassiterite is friable and a large amount of fines and slimes were generated. Usually de-sliming is used to prevent slime coating and to increase the recovery of tin. However, analyses have shown that fine particles in the sample mostly contain tin, thus de-sliming was not suggested. By applying the process, ultrafine cassiterite can be efficiently recovered from the tailings slime by one rougher process, and the concentrate assaying 1.20% Sn with a recovery of 89.10% was obtained.

Beneficiation of Ultrafine Cassiterite from a Tin Tailings by Flotation

With the continuous depletion of primary tin ores, tin tailings has become an important source for the production of tin; however, the large-scale utilization of tin tailings is disappointedly scarce, due to its leanness in valuable minerals and insufficient methods available for processing such low-grade tailings. A flotation process has been used on a laboratory scale to investigate the effects of various reagents such as salicylhydroxamic acid, lead nitrate, sodium hexametaphosphate and pine oil on tin recovery at neutral pulp. Because cassiterite is friable and a large amount of fines and slimes were generated, usually de-sliming is used to prevent slime coating and to increase the recovery of tin. However, analyses have shown that fine particles in the sample mostly contain tin, thus de-sliming was not suggested. By applying the process, ultrafine cassiterite could be efficiently recovered from the slime tailings, and the concentrate assaying 1.82% Sn with a recovery of 76.90% was obtained.

Primary Investigation and Analysis of Arsenic Contamination in Soil-Plant of Tin Mine in Gejiu

According to the primary study on the As contamination in soil and crops including potato and pea in tin tailings in Gejiu area, Yunnan Province, it has been found that concentrations of As in rhizosphere far exceed Chinese National Grade Ⅲ standard of soil environmental quality of China (GB 15618-1995). It also has been found that the Ferns were living in the tin tailings suffered from the contamination of heavy metals. Compared with the limit of national criteria for food sanitation in China, the concentrations of As in edible parts of ferns are 90 times. Therefore, the remediation of soil based on geochemical distribution characteristics of heavy metal in the tailings is demanded. And avoiding crops-planting in the tailings to reduce the diffusion of heavy metal contamination in food chain of mining area is necessary.

Titanium and iron dissolutions from ilmenite by acid leaching and microbiological oxidation techniques

ABSTRACTThis research was concerned with the solubility of ilmenite (Tin Tailing) in acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, oxalic and citric) and bioleaching by Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum and Bacillus megaterium. Ilmenite concentrate was soluble in 1.5 M sulfuric acid and 1.5 M hydrochloric acid solutions at 90 °C. However, improved leaching was obtained with 8 and 12 M sulfuric acid solutions. The chemical leaching results for different stirring speeds showed that a speed of 750 rpm was favourable to iron and titanium dissolutions. Metal dissolution rate can be enhanced with increasing leaching time. The optimum percentages of iron and titanium extraction occurred at 750 rpm for 6 h leaching in 8 M sulfuric acid solution and amounted to 64 and 57%, respectively. However, the optimum condition of chemical extraction was 1 M citric acid, which is considered weak, 750 rpm for 20 h extraction time at 90 °C. This led to the maximum titanium concentration of 63% that was comparatively very high compared with low iron dissolution of only 11%. Spores of A. niger and P. citrinum solutions were individually transferred at the culture ratio of 1 : 0, 0 : 1 and 1 : 1 in a shake flask containing Sabouraud dextrose medium. The flasks were incubated in a rotary shaker at 30 °C and 200 rpm. The bioleaching experiments after 35 days gave the highest iron extraction of 0.45% in the presence of pure culture (A. niger) and mixed culture (A. niger and P. citrinum), whereas the titanium dissolution was observed to be very low (&lt;0.28% extraction). For the bioleaching, B. megaterium was subcultured in solution in a shake flask containing nutrient broth. The flasks were incubated in a rotary shaker at 30 °C and 200 rpm. The bioleaching experiments after 3 days gave the highest iron and titanium extraction of 0.2 and 0.4%, respectively. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Developmental Design of Anaerobic Wetland System for Mining Waste Water Treatment

Problem statement: Tin mining is one of the oldest industries in Malaysia that have started since 1820s. These mining activities have resulted in about 13,700 hectors of tin tailings throughout the peninsula. These tailings have created numerous environmental problems such as threat to natural reserves due to landscape changes, damage to natural drainage, pollution and destruction of natural habitats. Approach: This research provided an approach for designing a constructed wetland system for treatment of tin-contaminated wastewater from mining catchment, a system that is known to provide a more economical treatment than the conventional system. Design of wetland was mostly based on the review of scientific literature, theoretical modelling and verification of performance via a pilot system. Results: Initially, physio-chemical characteristics and concentration of heavy metals in the soil and ponds were evaluated. It was found that the soil and water quality of area is highly degraded. This study will help for the design of the wetland for wastewater treatment. The study area consists of five mined out ponds in the catchment, each pond arranged in series with a 48 h hydraulic retention time. Wetland system comprises of three compartments in series-an ‘inflow’ pond receiving untreated tailings water overflowing into a wetland compartment, which in turn overflows into an ‘outflow’ pond receiving the now treated water. Each compartment filled with approximately 50 cm depth of a mixture of the cattle manure as (25%) and municipal waste compost (75%) as substrate. Waterproof baffles in each wetland compartment serve to increase the flow path of the water, thereby increasing the potential for sulphate retention. Additionally 30 tonnes of limestone will be deposited at the far end of the wetland, to facilitate final pH adjustment if it should be required. On site a computer connected to the pumps regulates the flow of tailings water through the systems. Conclusion: The planting density chosen is based on similar research on constructed wetlands. Proposed anaerobic wetland is first of its kind introduce for mining waste water treatment in Malaysia. Good results have achieved on laboratory scale operations for this system.

Relative radiological risks derived from different TENORM wastes in Malaysia

In Malaysia technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM) wastes are mainly the product of the oil and gas industry and mineral processing. Among these TENORM wastes are tin tailing, tin slag, gypsum and oil sludge. Mineral processing and oil and gas industries produce large volume of TENORM wastes that has become a radiological concern to the authorities. A study was carried out to assess the radiological risk related to workers working at these disposal sites and landfills as well as to the members of the public should these areas be developed for future land use. Radiological risk was assessed based on the magnitude of radiation hazard, effective dose rates and excess cancer risks. Effective dose rates and excess cancer risks were estimated using RESRAD 6.4 computer code. All data on the activity concentrations of NORM in wastes and sludges used in this study were obtained from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, Malaysia, and they were collected over a period of between 5 and 10 y. Results obtained showed that there was a wide range in the total activity concentrations (TAC) of nuclides in the TENORM wastes. With the exception of tin slag and tin tailing-based TENORM wastes, all other TENORM wastes have TAC values comparable to that of Malaysia's soil. Occupational Effective Dose Rates estimated in all landfill areas were lower than the 20 mSv y(-1) permissible dose limit. The average Excess Cancer Risk Coefficient was estimated to be 2.77×10(-3) risk per mSv. The effective dose rates for residents living on gypsum and oil sludge-based TENORM wastes landfills were estimated to be lower than the permissible dose limit for members of the public, and was also comparable to that of the average Malaysia's ordinary soils. The average excess cancer risk coefficient was estimated to be 3.19×10(-3) risk per mSv. Results obtained suggest that gypsum and oil sludge-based TENORM wastes should be exempted from any radiological regulatory control and should be considered radiologically safe for future land use.