Change in Properties and Composition of Old Loparite Ore Mill Tailings Depending on Depth of Burial
E. A. Krasavtseva1,2, P. V. Ikkonen3, I. R. Elizarova1, M. D. Makarov4, D. V. Makarov1
1Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia
2Nanomaterials Research Center, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia
3Tananaev Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Rare Elements and Mineral Raw Materials, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia
4Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Keywords: Tailings ponds, loparite ore processing waste, geotechnical properties, radionuclide analysis, X-ray phase analysis, loparite, nepheline
Abstract
The articles describes the studies into the physical properties and composition of loparite ore processing waste from the dormant tailings ponds Karnasurt-1 and Umbozero in the Murmansk Region. The test samples were obtained by drilling to a depth to 4 m. The implemented studies included geological and geotechnical investigations, as well as the sieve, chemical, X-ray phase and radionuclide analyses. The properties and composition of the test tailings exhibited essential nonuniformity. The mineral composition is dominated by nepheline, and K- and Na-feldspar. The radioactivity of the waste is mostly due to radium and thorium. The obtained information of the peculiarities of change in the properties and composition of loparite ore mill tailings depending on their depth of burial are important for the development of the environmental measures and for the design of process flow sheets for manmade materials.
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