Assessment of the possibilities of recovering Zn-Pb ore tailings located at a former tailings dump site

Abstract

Mining and metallurgical tailings represent a metal resource, but also a significant environmental problem. Depending on their properties, they can also be used in construction, road building, mining or land reclamation. The recovery of Zn and Pb from tailings dumped after ore processing is an example of the use of mineral wastes. This paper presents the results of a study on the possibilities of using post-flotation wastes deposited on old tailings disposal sites for land reclamation. The physical and chemical properties and ecotoxicity studies of the waste were carried out. The investigated waste is classified as silty sand, containing mainly carbonate and clay minerals and quartz. The chemical composition is mainly CaO, MgO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, SO₃ and ZnO. Despite the presence of heavy metals, their leachability does not pose a threat to the groundwater environment. Only the leachability of sulphates from the tested waste exceeds permissible quantities. The results of toxicity tests carried out on the tested waste: the Lepidium sativum germination test in an aqueous extract of the waste and the Phytotoxkit for the solid phase in relation to Sorghum saccharatum, Lepidium sativum and Synpis alba showed no phytotoxicity.