Technical Papers

Neutral mine drainage water-quality impacts from a form taconite mine

Abstract:

Surface waters at the site of a former Minnesota taconite mine were reported to have solute concentrations elevated with respect to water-quality standards. Waste rock and ore generated from past mining were primarily from open pit mining of the Biwabik Iron Formation (BIF). The BIF is a variably bedded iron formation composed of inter-bedded cherty and slaty iron silicate and iron carbonate rich beds. A geochemical characterization was conducted to identify potential constituents of interest (COI), facilitate understanding of mechanisms controlling their environmental behavior at the site, and guide future site activities. Primary COI were determined to be SO4, hardness (predominately from Mg), alkalinity, Fe, Mn, and Al. BIF waste rock from the Lower Slaty members appears to be the primary source for the identified COI. Mechanisms of release are primarily attributed to pyrite oxidation and subsequent neutralization by dissolution of mixed-composition (Ca-, Mg-, Fe-, Mn-bearing) siderite and ankerite.

Citation:

Hanna, B. “Neutral Mine Drainage Water-Quality Impacts from a Former Taconite Mine,” in Tailings and Mine Waste ’10, pp. 241-252. CRC Press, 2010.Hanna, B. “Neutral Mine Drainage Water-Quality Impacts from a Former Taconite Mine,” in Tailings and Mine Waste ’10, pp. 241-252. CRC Press, 2010.

Authors:

Braden Hanna

Link to Full Text:

Water Quality Impacts of Mine Drainage.pdf

Latest News
  • Itasca has announced the release of FLAC2D v9 Itasca has announced the release of FLAC2D v9, revolutionizing the way we analyze and predict...
    Read More
  • 6th Itasca Symposium on Applied Numerical Modeling The next Itasca Symposium will take place June 3 - 6, 2024, in Toronto, Canada....
    Read More
  • Itasca International Inc. announces the Selection of its New CEO Itasca International Inc. announces the Selection of its New CEO ...
    Read More

Upcoming Events
29 Oct
Getting Started with 3DEC
Objectives of the training: Understand the 3DEC numerical approach and the types of problems it can solveKnow how to manipulate the 3DE... Read More
5 Nov
Python in Itasca Software
... Read More
19 Nov
Getting Started with FLAC2D/FLAC3D
This training is an introduction to continuous modeling with FLAC2D and FLAC3D. At the end of the course, participants will master the ... Read More