Anomalous flow behaviour of bauxite tailings

This paper deals with the anomalous flow behaviour observed in two bauxite tailings pumping systems, with 450 mm and 680 mm outer diameter. In order to enlarge the pipeline lengths in the field, tests were carried out in a laboratory test-loop in order to try to understand the anomalous (intermittent) flow behaviour and to solve the problem. Based on data obtained from these laboratory tests and using a generalized REYNOLDS number it was possible to obtain results that fit the MOODY ROUSE diagram.

Leaching of Ni and Cu from mine wastes (tailings and slags) using acid solutions and A. ferrooxidans

The objective of this work is to evaluate the acidic and biological leaching of tailings containing Ni/Cu from a flotation and smelting plant. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, strain LR, was used for bioleaching at pH 1.8 and chemical controls were run parallel to that. The acidic leaching was done within 48 hours at pH 0.5 and 1.0. In the slag inoculated flasks the redox potential was high (600 mV), thus indicating oxidative bacterial activity, however, the obtained results after 15 days showed only around 13% Ni and 8% Cu extractions, which were not different to those of the controls. For the flotation tailings bioleaching extractions were approximately 45% for Ni and 16% for Cu while differing figures were obtained for the chemical controls. These were 30% and 12% respectively. Here we could observe that the presence of bacterial activity led to a higher solubility of Ni. Acid leaching of slag showed higher nickel and copper extractions: 56% and 24% respectively at pH 0.5 and 21% and 11% at pH 1.0. However, the acid consumption was 320 and 150 Kg/ton of slag, respectively, both much higher than in bacterial assays. These results indicated that Ni and Cu solubilization from the slag is acid dependent no matter the redox potential or ferric iron concentration of the leaching solution. For flotation tailings, acid treatment showed extractions of 23% for Ni and 16% for copper at pH 0.5 and 22% and 28%, respectively at pH 1.0. The acid consumption was also higher: 220 and 120 Kg/ton, at pH 0.5 and 1.0, respectively. Based on own findings we could observe that acid leaching is found to be more effective for slag, though the acid consumption is much higher, while for the flotation tailings, bacterial leaching seems to be the best alternative. © (2009) Trans Tech Publications.

Specific depth cone resistivity measurements to determine soil engineering properties

The University of British Columbia (UBC) began performing piezocone penetration tests (CPTU) with electrical resistivity measurements (RCPTU) in 1989. Since then, RCPTU research at UBC has focused on obtaining geo-environmental parameters such as fluid resistivity and soil engineering properties such as porosity and degree of saturation from measurements of bulk soil electrical resistivity using the empirical relationship proposed by Archie (1942). Within this framework, the paper illustrates and discusses important design and calibration issues for resistivity modules such as the use of isolated circuitry to achieve linear calibrations over large ranges of resistivity. The suitability of RCPTU measurements for determination of geo-environmental and geotechnical parameters are assessed using typical ranges of soil and groundwater properties and methods of isolating individual factors for study are discussed. Illustrative examples of RCPTU research efforts including the environmental characterization of mine tailings, delineation of saline water intrusions in fresh water aquifers and the quality control of geotechnical ground densification are presented throughout the text. It is shown that groundwater temperature and hence ion mobility is not significantly altered by frictional heat generated during piezocone penetration and that ratio-based approaches to monitoring soil porosity can be used to eliminate the requirement for extensive groundwater sampling programs. Lastly, it is shown that RCPTU measurements above the water table can only be made using resistivity modules that are stable over a large range of resistivities and that such measurements are the most difficult to interpret because of grain surface conduction effects and generally unknown fluid resistivities.

Transforming open mining pits into fish farms: Moving towards sustainability

The legacy of mining activities has typically been land 'returned to wildlife', or, at some sites, degraded to such an extent that it is unsuitable for any alternate use. Progress towards sustainability is made when value is added in terms of the ecological, social and economic well-being of the community. In keeping with the principles of sustainable development, the innovative use of flooded open pits and tailings impoundments as commercial, recreational or ornamental fish farms should be considered in some locations, as it could make a significant contribution to the social equity, economic vitality and environmental integrity of mining communities. This article highlights the growing significance of aquaculture and explores the benefits and barriers to transforming flooded pits and impoundments into aquaculture operations. Among other benefits, aquaculture may provide a much-needed source of revenue, employment and, in some cases, food to communities impacted by mine closure. Further, aquaculture in a controlled closed environment may be more acceptable to critics of fish farming who are concerned about fish escapes and viral transmissions to wild populations. Despite the potential benefits, aquaculture in flooded pits and impoundments is not without its complications - it requires a site-specific design approach that must consider issues ranging from metals uptake by fish, to the long-term viability of the aquatic system as fish habitat, to the overall contribution of aquaculture to sustainability. © 2004 United Nations. Published by Blackwell Publishing.

Recovery of degraded areas using topsoil in the Amazon rainforest

This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of placing the top soil cover areas, such as tailings degraded by tin mining, in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. The evaluations of the planting sites occurred in areas where tin mining was carried out, basically planting native trees over a period of seven years. This work did not come from a pre-decreed methodology of experimental design, and data was collected only seven years after planting. Thus, it was not possible to identify all variables that contributed to a better recovery of the areas. Sampling was done about seven years after placing the top soil and is determined: pH, organic matter content, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, cation exchange capacity (T), base saturation (V%), B, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. The native forest species existing at the site were evaluated in relation to height (in meters) and diameter of the base. For all sites where the surface layer of soil was applied, there were significant differences in the growth of native species. A fundamental aspect in the rehabilitation of areas degraded by mining, in general, is the knowledge about the soil where that recovery must be conducted. The specific procedures in the rehabilitation of those areas depend essentially on the physical, chemical, biological and mineralogical properties of the soil, which must present conditions for the adequate development of the plants. The initial idea of implanting a project of recovery of soils degraded by mining in the Amazon Forest emerged from a first visit to the field, carried out in 1998. The conditions of the already mined areas, in comparison to the exuberant forest of the surroundings caught our attention. The mining company that acts in the area had already been trying for some time to implant a plan of recovery of these mining areas, however without reaching any significant positive results. The loss of organic matter is one of the main problems of degraded areas in Brazil. The storage and reuse of a blanket of soil (topsoil) produce excellent results, but most of the miners consider this technique expensive and difficult because of operational costs and the sharp topographical condition of the mine site. Therefore, a research project was elaborated prioritizing the recovery of the soil degraded by the tin mining as a prior step to the recovery activities with native forest species. The formation of a superficial pseudo-horizon that supported the vegetation and the time that it would take for its establishment became the main objective of this research. The objective of this work is to verify the levels of elements and their traces in areas where top soils were applied for the remediation of degraded areas with local re-vegetation. © 2011 WIT Press.

Session report: Non-textbook type geomaterials

An abstract of all the papers presented in the Conference Section where the geotechnical material is considered non-conventional to classical Soil Mechanics is presented. Thirteen papers submitted to this Conference were considered as a non-textbook type geomaterial. The papers were grouped in four groups: tropical soils, tailings, cementation and heterogeneous soils. The objective is to present a report with the major contributions of the each paper to encourage the reader to read the original papers. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group.

Adsorção de cádmio e disponibilidade de cádmio e bário em latossolos sob mata nativa e cultivados

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Tratamento físico-químico de efluentes de curtume por meio de filtros de membrana seletiva

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Recuperação de níquel e outros metais a partir de diferentes fontes (rejeitos minerais de processo industrial e pentlandita '(Ni,Fe)IND. 9' 'S IND. 8' ) mediante lixiviação ácida e bacteriana

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

O uso de técnicas geoestatísticas para o mapeamento da vulnerabilidade natural do Aquífero Guarani em área de recarga: aplicação na região de Ribeirão Bonito - SP

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

Eficiência agronômica de rejeitos da indústria de fertilizantes fosfatados

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Estudo do desempenho de barreiras de geotêxtil para contenção de sedimentos carreados pelo escoamento superficial

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Civil e Ambiental - FEB

Mapeamento geoestatístico da vulnerabilidade do Aquífero Guarani no município de Ribeirão Bonito - SP

The Guaraní aquifer has relevant importance both as a source of water for several urban centres and the development of agriculture and livestock. In recharge areas the aquifer is free and, therefore, subject to contamination of effluents and tailings deposited on soils that cover it. Thus, it becomes crucial not only its protection at all levels, as the knowledge of its degree of natural vulnerability. The present work used geostatistics modeling techniques to study the natural vulnerability of the Guaraní aquifer in the city of Rio Bonito, State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, where the Guarani aquifer is exposed. These techniques, extensively used in evaluation studies of mineral deposits and oil tanks, can be adapted to produce a spatial classification or a regionalisation of probabilistic indices of vulnerability. By ordinary kriging method maps of vulnerability classification were obtained. To determine the vulnerability of the aquifer was employed the Aquifer Vulnerability Index (AVI), which requires knowledge of unsaturated zone thickness and permeability. The final product was a map with probabilistic index of vulnerability of the Guaraní aquifer, which presented values between 0 to 0.33 years, framing the area studied in AVI class extremely high vulnerability

Desidratação de lodo proveniente de ETA através de tubos geotexteis

Currently exists a growing concern for the preservation of the environment Around the world, the environmental awareness in Brazil has strengthened during the past two decades. This concern in Brazil arises from the creation of mechanisms of supervision and punishment on the part of the environmental agencies. In order to meet the pertinent legislation many public and private companies have performed dehydration of waste generated in the process of treatment of industrial effluents, waste water and water treatment in order to reduce transport and disposal costs. The use of geotextile tubes has proven technically and economically feasible to be applied in various situations from water treatment to mining tailings. This work presents the solution adopted for an environmental liability in water treatment plant through the use of geotextile tubes to reduce the water content of the disposal. We evaluated the size distribution curves, Atterberg limits, and chemical composition of the residue. Found high concentrations of aluminum in the waste which would characterize environmental pollution if disposed off directly in nature with no treatment

Gestão de resíduos sólidos no município de Tibagi - PR: desempenho da coleta seletiva

The objective of this study was to analyze the performance of solid waste management in the municipality of Tibagi, Paraná, a city with approximately 20000 inhabitants, which implemented the selective collection program called Recycle Tibagi. The analysis was based on descriptive statistical techniques, considering the three types of waste (tailings, organic and recyclable), and per capita generation of garbage upward trend in the coming years, based on the method of Winter (Triple Exponential Damping), using data recorded by the Department of the Environment and the Association of Recyclable Materials from Tibagi - ACAMARTI. Efficient selective collection from a structured environmental education program with constant training conducted with the scavengers, possible to obtain important data in sorting and marketing of recyclable materials, saving raw materials, water and energy, as well as relevant indicators social inclusion and employment generation and income. The project involves several areas of municipal management and arouses curiosity and interest in several areas: social, financial, environmental and administrative. It's a way to encourage new projects and public bodies, highlighting the importance of recycling and proper disposal of solid waste.