Geochemical and mineralogical evolution of the Zn-Cd-Pb bearing tailings from the Saint-Salvy mine, France

M. Munoz; P. Courjault-Radé; S. Castet; F. Martin; F. Tollon

doi:doi:10.1051/jp4:20030444

Numéro		J. Phys. IV France Volume 107, May 2003


Page(s)		903 - 907
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:20030444

J. Phys. IV France 107 (2003) 903
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030444

Geochemical and mineralogical evolution of the Zn-Cd-Pb bearing tailings from the Saint-Salvy mine, France

M. Munoz, P. Courjault-Radé, S. Castet, F. Martin and F. Tollon

Laboratoire des Mécanismes de Transfert en Géologie, UMR 5563, OMP-UPS-CNRS, 38 rue des 36 Ponts, 31400 Toulouse, France

Abstract
4 million tonnes of waste generated by the treatment plant of the Saint-Salvy Zn mine have been dumped in a storage dam. Sulphides (3.5%) and Mn-siderite (20%) oxydize and dissolve. Drainage water exports most of SO ₄ and Mn released. According to geochemical modelling taking into account slightly acidic pH and slightly reducing conditions within the tailings, ferrihydrite precipitates in situ inducing partial immobilization of Fe, and partial retention of Zn, Pb and Cd. Time required for site inertization is estimated around a century.