Toxicity, Corrosiveness and Contaminant Characteristics of Mine Tailings: Hazard Mitigation and Utilization

Mining operations for the extraction and processing of useful geological materials are common anthropogenic activities that generate enormous quantities of waste that can alter the natural balance. In this way, soil, water and air are contaminated with waste that contains heavy metals, acids and many other compounds that are toxic to the environment and health. Minimizing and eradicating these pollutants is an arduous but necessary task. That is why, in the present work, the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of metallurgical mining waste was carried out using analytical techniques. Tests and trials were also carried out to assess the degree of toxicity, corrosiveness and chemical capacity to generate acid mine drainage. In general, it was found that this waste does not contain active toxic elements or elements that could be corrosive. However, due to the residual content of sulfide minerals, it can generate acid mine drainage, which could contaminate groundwater. Likewise, it can be seen that due to the content of heavy metals and minerals such as quartz and feldspars, this waste can be reprocessed to recover metals and subsequently separate, by flotation, the associated silica and feldspar, which can be used in the glass and cement industry.