The Diavik Waste Rock Project: Geochemical and microbiological characterization of low sulfide content large-scale waste rock test piles

Two experimental waste-rock piles (test piles), each 15 m in height × 60 m × 50 m, were constructed at the Diavik diamond mine in Northern Canada to study the behavior of low-sulfide content waste rock, with a similarly low acid-neutralization potential, in a continuous permafrost region. One test pile with an average of 0.035 wt.% S (<50 mm fraction; referred to as Type I) and a second test pile with an average of 0.053 wt.% S (<50 mm fraction; referred to as Type III) were constructed in 2006. The average carbon content in the <50 mm fraction of waste rock in the Type I test pile was 0.031 wt.% as C and in the Type III test pile was 0.030 wt.% as C. The NP:AP ratio, based on the arithmetic mean of particle-size weighted NP and AP values, for the Type I test pile was 12.2, suggesting this test pile was non-acid generating and for the Type III test pile was 2.2, suggesting an uncertain acid-generating potential. The Type I test pile maintained near-neutral pH for the 4-year duration of the study. Sulfate and dissolved metal concentrations were low, with the exception of Ni, Zn, Cd, and Co in the fourth year following construction. The pore water in the Type III test pile contained higher concentrations of SO₄²⁻ and dissolved metals, with a decrease in pH to <4.7 and an annual depletion of alkalinity. Maximum concentrations of dissolved metals (20 mg L⁻¹ Ni, 2.3 mg L⁻¹ Cu, 3.7 mg L⁻¹ Zn, 35 μg L⁻¹ Cd, and 3.8 mg L⁻¹ Co) corresponded to decreases in flow rate, which were observed at the end of each field season when the contribution of the total outflow from the central portion of the test pile was greatest. Bacteria were present each year in spite of annual freeze/thaw cycles. The microbial community within the Type I test pile included a population of neutrophilic S-oxidizing bacteria. Each year, changes in the water quality of the Type III test-pile effluent were accompanied by changes in the microbial populations. Populations of acidophilic S-oxidizing bacteria and Fe-oxidizing bacteria became more abundant as the pH decreased and internal test pile temperatures increased. Irrespective of the cold-climate conditions and low S content of the waste rock, the geochemical and microbiological results of this study are consistent with other acid mine drainage studies; indicating that a series of mineral dissolution–precipitation reactions controls pH and metal mobility, and transport is controlled by matrix-dominated flow and internal temperatures.     

The Diavik Waste Rock Project: Implications of wind-induced gas transport

Wind-induced gas transport in a test-scale unsaturated waste rock pile was investigated at the Diavik diamond mine, Northwest Territories, Canada. Differential gas pressures were measured in 2008 at 49 locations within a field-scale experimental waste rock pile (test pile) and at 14 locations on the surface of the test pile at 1-min intervals. Wind speed and direction were measured at 10-min intervals and decomposed into north, south, east, and west vectors. Correlations between wind vectors and pressure measurements indicate that the wind influences pressure fluctuations in the test pile. The strength of the correlation is roughly inversely proportional to the distance between the measurement ports and the atmospheric boundary. The relationship between the magnitude of the wind vector and pressure fluctuations on the surface of the test pile is non-linear. However, the relationship between internal and surface pressure measurements is linear, suggesting that gas flow within the test pile follows Darcy’s Law. Spectral analysis demonstrates that the dominant periods of the wind range from 1 to 14 d. A 1-D analytical solution to the flow equation is used to demonstrate that long periods have the most pronounced effect on transient gas flow within the test pile and that the penetration depth of the wind-induced gas pressure wave is a function of wind period and permeability of the test pile.     

The Diavik waste rock project: Water flow through mine waste rock in a permafrost terrain

A field experiment is being carried out at the Diavik diamond mine in northern Canada to investigate the influence of unsaturated flow behavior on the quality of drainage from mine waste rock piles in a region of continuous permafrost. This paper is part of a series describing processes affecting the weathering of waste rock and transport of reaction products at this site; here the focus is on unsaturated water flow and its role in mass loading. Two 15 m-high instrumented test piles have been built on 60 m by 50 m collection systems, each consisting of lysimeters and a large impermeable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner. Collection lysimeters are installed nearby to investigate infiltration in the upper 2 m of the waste rock. Porosity, water retention curves, and hydraulic conductivity functions are estimated from field measurements and for samples ranging in size from 200 cm³ to 16 m³. Net infiltration in 2007 is estimated to have been 37% of the rainfall for mean annual rainfall conditions. Early-season infiltration freezes and is remobilized as the waste rock thaws. Wetting fronts migrate at rates of 0.2–0.4 m d⁻¹ in response to common rainfall events and up to 5 m d⁻¹ in response to intense rainfall. Pore water and non-reactive solutes travel at rates of <10⁻² to 3 × 10⁻² m d⁻¹ in response to common rainfall events and up to 0.7 m d⁻¹ in response to intense rainfall. Time-varying SO₄ mass loading from the base of the test piles is dictated primarily by the flow behavior, rather than by changes in solute concentrations.     

The Diavik Waste Rock Project: Design,construction, and instrumentation of field-scale experimental waste-rock piles

The physicochemical processes that affect acid mine drainage (AMD) in unsaturated waste rock piles and the capabilities of small-scale laboratory experiments to predict AMD from waste rock are not well understood. An integrated laboratory and field study to measure and compare low sulfide waste rock and drainage characteristics at various scales has been initiated. This paper describes the design, construction and instrumentation of three field-scale experimental waste rock piles (test piles), and six active zone lysimeters at the Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The test piles are comprised of granitic and sulfide-bearing metasedimentary waste rock excavated during open pit mining operations. One test pile contains waste rock with a target S content of <0.04 wt.% S; the second test pile contains waste rock with a target S content of >0.08 wt.% S; and the third test pile contains the higher sulfide waste rock (>0.08 wt.% S) and was re-sloped and capped with a low permeability till layer and a low sulfide waste rock cover. The first two test piles are approximately 15 m high with bases of 50 m by 60 m, and the re-sloped test pile has a larger base of 80 m by 125 m. Instrumentation was selected to measure matrix flow, geochemistry of pore water and drainage, gas-phase O₂ concentration, temperature evolution, microbiological populations, waste rock permeability to air, and thermal conductivity, as well as to resolve mass and flow balances. Instrument locations were selected to characterize coupled physicochemical processes at multiple scales and the evolution of those processes over time. Instruments were installed at a density such that the number of instruments that survived construction (40% to >80% by instrument type) was sufficient to allow adequate characterization of the physicochemical processes occurring at various scales in the test piles.     

The Diavik waste rock project: Initial geochemical response from a low sulfide waste rock pile

Three large-scale experimental waste rock piles (test piles) were constructed and instrumented at the Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories, Canada, as part of an integrated field and laboratory study to measure and compare physical and geochemical characteristics of experimental, low sulfide waste rock piles at various scales. This paper describes the geochemical response during the first season from a test pile containing 0.053 wt.% S. Bulk drainage chemistry was measured at two sampling points for pH, Eh, alkalinity, dissolved cations and anions, and nutrients. The geochemical equilibrium model MINTEQA2 was used to interpret potential mineral solubility controls on water chemistry. The geochemical response characterizes the initial flushing response of blasting residues and oxidation products derived from sulfides in waste rock exposed to the atmosphere for less than 1 year. Sulfate concentrations reached 2000 mg L⁻¹ when ambient temperatures were >10 °C, and decreased as ambient temperatures declined to <0 °C. The pH decreased to <5, concomitant with an alkalinity minimum of <1 mg L⁻¹ (as total CaCO₃), suggesting all available alkalinity is consumed by acid-neutralizing reactions. Concentrations of Al and Fe were <0.36 and <0.11 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Trends of pH and alkalinity and the calculated saturation indices for Al and Fe (oxy)hydroxides suggest that dissolution of Al and Fe (oxy)hydroxide phases buffers the pH. The effluent water showed increased concentrations of dissolved Mn (<13 mg L⁻¹), Ni (<7.0 mg L⁻¹), Co (<1.5 mg L⁻¹), Zn (<0.5 mg L⁻¹), Cd (<0.008 mg L⁻¹) and Cu (<0.05 mg L⁻¹) as ambient temperatures increased. Manganese is released by aluminosilicate weathering, Ni and Co by pyrrhotite [Fe_1−xS] oxidation, Zn and Cd by sphalerite oxidation, and Cu by chalcopyrite [CuFeS₂] oxidation. No dissolved metals appear to have discrete secondary mineral controls. Changes in SO₄, pH and metal concentrations indicate sulfide oxidation is occurring and effluent concentrations are influenced by ambient temperatures and, possibly, increasing flow path lengths that transport reaction products from previously unflushed waste rock.     

The Diavik Waste Rock Project: Measurement of the thermal regime of a waste-rock test pile in a permafrost environment

The interior thermal regime of a field-scale experimental waste rock pile in the Northwest Territories, Canada, was studied. Test pile construction was completed in the summer 2006, and temperature data was collected continuously since that time to February 2009. The temperature data indicates the test pile cooled over the study period, with an average heat energy release of −2.5 × 10⁴ and −2.6 × 10⁴ MJ in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The mean annual air temperature (MAAT) at the site was −8.9 °C during the period between 2006 and 2009, with a permafrost table at a depth of 4 m in bedrock away from the pile. Because of this cold environment, the upward movement rate of the 0 °C isotherm into the test pile at its base was approximately 1.5 m a⁻¹ during 2007 and 2008. Thermistor strings installed immediately below the base of the test pile showed the test-pile basal temperatures remained near and below 0 °C during the study period. Furthermore, due to low rates of sulfide mineral oxidation, elevated temperatures in the interior of the test pile were not observed. The average air velocity in the pore space in July 2007 and 2008 was about one third of that during January of each year based on temperature distributions. Therefore, due to higher air velocity during the winter, it is expected that heat transfer is greater during winter.     

排土场散体岩石粒度分布与剪切强度的分形特征

应用分形理论研究了矿山排土场散体岩石粒度分布的分维规律,建立了分维数与排土场散体物料剪切强度参数的定量关系式。研究表明,排土场岩石块度分布具有良好的分形结构,分维数值大小随着排土场高度的增加而增加,但不超过3。当采样尺度范围一定时,分维数越大,散体中细颗粒含量越多,平均粒径也越小。分维数与散体岩石的剪切强度参数摩擦角?呈负指数关系。分维数值可用于排土场粒度资料的统计分析与剪切力学强度参数的预测。     

The application of size distribution equations to rock breakage by explosives

SummaryThe Application of Size Distribution Equations to Rock Breakage by Explosives Size distribution equations can be used to describe the degree of fragmentation produced by explosive rock breakage. This paper describes the results of small scale blasting experiments and the derivation of equations to relate size distributions to blasting design parameters. The application and relevance of these techniques to large scale blasting operations is also discussed.With 7 Figures     

Particle size characteristics of aeolian ripple crests and troughs

Ripples are prevalent in aeolian landscapes. Many researchers have focused on the shape and formation of sand ripples, but few have studied the differences in the particle size of sand on crests and in troughs along bed, especially the variations caused by changes in friction velocity and the wind‐blowing duration. A particle size of 158 μm (d ) was used to create aeolian ripples in a wind tunnel under four friction velocities (u *) with different wind duration times (t ). Samples were collected from the surfaces of ripple crests and troughs, respectively, at seven sites, and particle sizes were measured using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000. The main results were: (i) The particle size distributions of sand in troughs are unimodal with slight variations of particle size parameters, including mean particle size, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis, etc., under different conditions, while these particle size parameters of sand on crests change with friction velocity and deflation time. Moreover, some of the particle distribution curves for the sand on crests do not follow typical unimodal curves. (ii) With increasing friction velocity or deflation duration, the sand on the crests shows a coarsening process relative to those on the bed surface. The particle size of sand on crests at a 1 m bed increases linearly with friction velocity (d  =  344·27 + 34·54 u *) at a given wind‐blowing duration. The particle sizes of sand on crests at 1 m, 2 m and 4 m beds increase with a power‐law relationship (d  = a + t ^b, where a and b are fitting parameters) with deflation time at a given friction velocity. (iii) The probability cumulative curves of sand showed a three‐section pattern in troughs and on most of the crests but a four‐section pattern at crest locations due to increased influence by friction velocity and deflation time. The proportions of the sediment moved by suspension, saltation and creep in the three‐section pattern were within the ranges of 0·2% to 2·0%, 97·0% to 98·9%, and 0·8% to 3·0%, respectively. For the four‐section pattern, suspension accounted for 0·3% and 3·0%, and the proportion of creep increased with friction velocity and deflation time, while saltation decreased accordingly. Although these results require additional validation, they help to advance current understanding of the grain‐size characteristics of aeolian ripples.     

碎屑流堆积物粒度分布与运动特性的关系——以贵州纳雍普洒村崩塌为例

对碎屑流堆积物的研究能反应碎屑流动能的变化。文章在普洒村崩塌现场调查的基础上结合崩塌堆积体高分辨率数字地表模型（DSM）,对崩塌碎屑流部分粒径进行统计分析,再结合谢德格尔公式估算崩塌碎屑流运动速度,对碎屑流运动过程进行初步分析,得到如下结论:（1）统计堆积体沿主滑方向的13个连续矩形区（A1~A13区）表面块石粒径,总结其规律为:越远离崩塌源区,小粒径含量越多,大粒径含量越少。（2）堆积物粒径和碎屑流运动动能有关,速度越大,其携带块石的能力越大,反之,块石含量越少。（3）根据块石堆积的不同特点,将堆积区域划分为初始堆积区、集中堆积区、平稳堆积区以及堆积减弱区。     

Modeling and calculating for the compaction characteristics of waste rock masses

Bearing and deformation behaviors of waste rock masses (WRM) are more usually considered in stress distribution in caved waste. As WRM is widely located in hidden and dangerous environments, herein, numerical calculation is the preferred research method, but there are no modules specifically designed to simulate WRM, and the distribution of blockiness size, void, and properties of WRM in existing programs is still immature. A construction and subdivision method for modeling WRM is proposed in this paper. That is on the basis of the intact rock mass numerical model established in 3D Voronoi, the blocks in the intact rock mass are removed at random to achieve the purpose of retrieving the WRM structure by means of predetermined porosity. Also, the Weibull distribution is introduced to describe the properties of joints randomly, and a uniaxial compression experiment is used to research the compaction characteristics of WRM. The modeling and parametric methods can more accurately reflect fragmentation characteristics, bulking characteristics, and compaction characteristics of WRM. Compared with the existing theoretical and experimental results, this method has a high degree of consistency with them. This experimental study provides a new and effective method for the safety control of backfilling technics of WRM in coal mines.     

Experimental study of acidity-consuming processes in mining waste rock: some influences of mineralogy and particle size

Weathering reactions producing and consuming acid in fresh waste rock samples from the Aitik Cu mine in northern Sweden have been investigated. Batch-scale (0.15 kg) acid titrations with waste rock of different particle sizes were operated for 5 months. The pH was adjusted to a nearly constant level, similar to that in effluents from waste rock dumps at the site (pH near 3.5). The reactions were followed by analysing for all major dissolved elements (K, Na, Mg, Ca, Si, Al, SO₄, Cu, Zn, Fe) in aliquots of solution from the reaction vessels. In addition, the solids were physically and chemically characterised in terms of mineralogy, chemical composition, particle size distribution, surface area and porosity. The results show that the alkalinity production is initially dominated by a rapid dissolution of small amounts of calcite and rapidly exchangeable base cations on silicate surfaces. Steady-state dissolution of primary silicate minerals also generates alkalinity. The total alkalinity is nearly balanced by input of acid from the steady-state oxidation of sulphides, such that the pH 3.1–3.4 can be maintained without external input of acid or base. There is a large difference in weathering rates between fine materials and larger waste rock particles (diameters (d) >0.25 mm) for both sulphides and silicates. As a result particles with d smaller than 0.25 mm contribute to approximately 80% of the sulphide and silicate dissolution. Calcite dissolution can initially maintain a neutral pH but with time becomes limited by intra-particle diffusion. Calcite within particles larger than 5–10 mm reacts too slowly to neutralise the acid produced from sulphides.     

全尾砂-废石混合回填膏体流动特性变化规律

质量浓度、废石掺量是影响尾砂-废石混合回填体流动特性的主要因素,研究这些因素对膏体流动性的影响规律,对于控制膏体流动性具有重要意义。采用改进的小型直剪装置进行混合回填体直剪试验,以黏聚力、内摩擦角、抗剪强度为依据,综合得出了混合回填膏体流动性变化规律。试验结果表明,膏体在受力变形前期呈较为明显的似弹性性质,随废石掺量增加,位移-剪应力曲线中阶梯状变化趋势增加;回填体黏聚力取决于质量浓度,内摩擦角受质量浓度和废石掺量影响程度基本相同,两者协同作用;质量浓度在80%～88%范围时,黏聚力随质量浓度增大呈非线性增大,内摩擦角与质量浓度呈S型变化趋势;抗剪强度随质量浓度的增大而增加,在82%～84%区间抗剪强度变化显著,流动性出现突变。     

Particle size distribution and dissolution properties of metals in cyclone fly ash

The particles in the examined cyclone fly ash were all smaller than 0.25 mm. in diameter, and particles smaller than 0.075 mm. in diameter accounted for 88.4 % of the ash weight. This result indicates that cyclone fly ash consists of particles with a small diameter. The metals in the cyclone fly ash were enriched in small particles. The highest concentrations for zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and molybdenum in the cyclone fly ash were found in the smallest particle size fraction (< 0.075 mm.) and for Barium, chromium, nickel, Vanadium and Cobalt in the second to smallest particle size fraction (0.075-0.125 mm.). From an environmental and toxicological standpoint, the smallest particles are of the greatest concern when ash is handed at landfill disposal sites (transport and disposal especially in stormy weather conditions), and some studies have reported risks to workers from prolonged exposure to ash. The results of the comparison of various dissolution methods for metals showed that the digestion procedures with nitric acid alone (USEPA 3051) or with a mixture of nitric acid + hydrogen peroxide (USEPA 3050B) slightly underestimated the metal concentrations in the cyclone fly ash. Although the use of hydrofluoric acid is often necessary for the determination of a number of elements associated with siliceous minerals, its use can result in loss of trace elements during dissolution.     

Statistical relationship between pyrite grain size distribution and pyritic sulfur reduction in Ohio coal

This paper presents a statistical relationship between the pyrite particle size distribution and the potential amount of pyritic sulfur reduction achieved by specific-gravity-based separation. This relationship is obtained from data on 26 Ohio coal samples crushed to 14 × 28 mesh. In this paper a prediction equation is developed that considers the complete statistical distribution of all the pyrite particle sizes in the coal sample.Assuming that pyrite particles occurring in coal have a lognormal distribution, the information about the particle size distribution can be encapsulated in terms of two parameters only, the mean and the standard deviation of the logarithms of the grain diameters. When the pyritic sulfur reductions of the 26 coal samples are related to these two parameters, a very satisfactory regression equation (R² = 0.91) results. This equation shows that information on both these parameters is needed for an accurate prediction of potential sulfur reduction, and that the mean and the standard deviation interact negatively insofar as their influence on pyritic sulfur reduction is concerned.     

The distribution of sulfur and organic matter in various fractions of peat: origins of sulfur in coal

The peat-forming systems of the Okefenokee Swamp are viewed as modern progenitors of coal. Taxodium and Nymphaea-derived peat-forming systems were characterized in terms of (1) organic fractions and (2) the distribution of organic/inorganic sulfur in each organic fraction (water soluble, benzene/methanol soluble, humin, humic acid, fulvic acid). The humin fraction is the largest organic fraction in both environments, approaching 70% of the total organic matter in the Nymphaea-derived environment. Humin origins are discussed in terms of a humic acid precursor, and undecomposed plant material. It is suggested that each depth of peat represents a diagenetic history of events which the authors believe occurred primarily when the currently buried peat was at the surface. The sulfur content of both peat-forming areas is low (0.23–0.27%); organic sulfur is the dominant sulfur form. Humin contains 50–80% of the total sulfur and of this, 80% is organic sulfur. Ester-sulfate appears to be especially prevalent in the fulvic acid fraction. The sulfur content of freshwater-derived peats is similar in quantity and distribution to that found in low sulfur coals.     

细粒含量Pc＜25％渗透变形类型为非管涌碎砾石的颗粒级配特征及判别方法

细粒含量判别法是无黏性粗粒土渗透变形类型主要判别方法,但细粒含量Pc25%渗透变形类型为流土和过渡的碎砾石,其渗透变形类型不符合细粒含量判别准则.通过对46个工程310个试样(其中Pc25%的试样数214个),渗透变形试验结果统计分析发现,该类土虽然仅占同级配段(Pc25%)比例为6.1%,但其颗粒级配曲线均具有独特特征,即各粒径级颗粒含量均较均匀,即Cu均大于5,Cc多数为1.0~3.0之间,即该类土大多数为优良级配,进一步分析发现其D15/d85之比均小于等于5,进而提出用D15/d85≤5作为判别该类土的方法.     

晶体及矿物颗粒大小对岩土材料力学性质的影响

岩石常见较大的晶体或者矿物颗粒,混凝土中是骨料,通过团簇模拟大颗粒的力学行为、团簇可以破裂。根据设计的相同数量、相同位置、不同半径的大颗粒数值单轴压缩试验,在虚拟试验条件下,考察了颗粒大小对材料力学响应的影响。通过分析颗粒材料的破裂形态、裂纹扩展过程、应力-应变曲线和破裂能量演化规律发现：大颗粒具有明显的增强特性,有阻止裂纹扩展的作用,破裂多绕大颗粒发展;增强幅度随颗粒半径的增加呈单增趋势,半径较小时,增强效果不明显。