[pt] A drenagem ácida de minas (DAM) é um problema ambiental capaz de comprometer a qualidade dos recursos hídricos, que decorre da oxidação de sulfetos. A adoção de medidas corretivas e/ou preventivas dependerá do programa de predição escolhido, este geralmente inclui testes do potencial de geração de acidez (método estático), e da velocidade com que ocorre o processo (método cinético). No presente trabalho avaliou-se o potencial de geração de DAM usando o teste de Balanço Ácido Base Modificada (BABM), e monitorou-se a qualidade da água da drenagem dos rejeitos, durante 23 semanas, usando o método das colunas de lixiviação segundo a Acid Drainage Technology Initiative, para amostras de rejeitos provenientes da Carbonífera Criciúma e da Carbonífera Metropolitana. As duas amostras da Carbonífera Criciúma (SRA e SRB) apresentaram potencial de geração de acidez e as amostras da Metropolitana apresentam um pequeno risco de gerar acidez, segundo os resultados do BABM. Porém os resultados do método cinético, para todos os casos, mostram valores de pH menores que 4 e valores crescentes para a concentração do SO4 -2, acidez e o Eh, que mostra que são geradoras de DAM. Deve se ter em conta que o teste de BABM não leva em consideração a cinética das reações para a produção de acidez e sua neutralização. Os valores de concentração para o Zn, Mn e Al excedem os padrões de qualidade de água (segundo a Resolução No 357, CONAMA). No caso do Pb, os resultados não foram conclusivos devido ao alto limite de detecção do equipamento. Utilizando o modelo do núcleo não reagido, a etapa controladora da taxa de oxidação para a pirita (de FeS2 a SO4 -2) para as amostras SRA e SRB foi transferência de massa através da camada limite, com tempos teóricos para conversão completa (t) de 2,7 e 1,6 anos respectivamente, para as condições ensaiadas. A outra amostra da Carbonífera Criciúma (VR) apresentou como etapa controladora nas semanas iniciais a transferência de massa através da camada cinza e nas semanas finais a reação química propriamente dita, sendo t estimado em 3,4 anos para as condições ensaiadas. / [en] The acid rock mine drainage (ARD) arising from sulfides oxidation in mining areas is a serious environmental problem that markedly affects the quality of the surrounding water. Choosing the measure for remediation and/or preventing pollution effect depends on a suitable evaluation through a prediction program, it has principally tests of the acid generation potential (static method), and rate of the corresponding chemical reactions (kinetic methods). The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of ARD of wastes from two coal mines Criciúma and Metropolitana, using a Modified Acid Base Accounting (MABA) and evaluated the drainage water quality during 23 weeks using leaching columns test according Acid Drainage Technology Initiative protocol. According MABA results two coal mine Criciúma Samples (SRA e SRB) indicated an acid generation potential, and Metropolitana samples present a small risk to generate acidity. However the kinetic method results, for all the samples present pH < 4 and increasing concentrations values for SO4 -2, acidity and Eh that indicate acid generation potential. The MABA test does not consider the reaction rate of acid production and its neutralizations reactions. The concentrations values of Zn, Mn and Al exceeds water quality standard (Resolução No 357, CONAMA). In the case of Pb the results were inconclusives due to the equipment high detection limit for this element. Shrinking Core Model was used to determinate rate control to pyrite oxidation kinetic (de FeS2 a SO4 -2). SRA and SRB samples the layer diffusion control was the control rate, with complete conversion theoretical time (t) of 2.7 and 1.6 years, respectively, for the test conditions. The Criciúma Coal Mine sample (VR) presents product layer diffusion as control rate at the beginning weeks and then the chemical reaction was the control rate at the final weeks of the test and for this control the calculated t was 3.4 years for the test conditions.

La Mine Colombia, située dans le District Aurifère d'El Callao, Venezuela, est considérée comme un gisement de type "géant" (i.e. > 500 t Au) car les réserves prouvées sont égales à 23 millions d'onces (= 740 t Au), ce qui fait de ce gisement le plus gros gisement du Craton Guyanais. La minéralisation est encaissée dans des formations basaltiques d'âge paléoprotérozoïque présentant toutes les caractéristiques des basaltes de plateau océanique. La minéralisation se localise au niveau de trois filons sécants sur la foliation, appelés "veine de quartz aurifère Colombia, América et Hansa". Ces "veines" sont en fait constituées par un réseau interconnecté de veines de quartz mais aussi d'ankérite et d'albite, délimitant une caisse filonienne, qui peut être définie par un mur et un toit, dans laquelle le réseau de veines englobe de nombreux fragments de basalte fortement pyritisés. L'or se rencontre quasi-systématiquement dans les fragments de métabasalte, en relation étroite avec la pyrite. Nous considérons ces systèmes de veines comme des "corridors" de déformation minéralisés, qui se seraient formés dans le domaine de transition fragile-ductile, en présence d'un même fluide hydrothermal à H2O-CO2-NaCl et à faible salinité. Ces corridors minéralisés, se formeraient en relation avec une succession de microséismes, à chaque microséisme, une nouvelle génération de pyrite cristalliserait dans les fragments de basalte. Cette pyrite renfermerait systématiquement de l'or soit en substitution dans le réseau cristallin du cristal, soit sous forme de nano-inclusions de sulfosels polymétalliques ; cet or " invisible " représenterait l'or primaire du gisement. De ce fait, nous considérons que l'essentiel de l'or "visible" du gisement serait secondaire et le produit de la remobilisation de l'or primaire "invisible". Nous considérons que cet événement tardif de déformation dans l'orogenèse Transamazonienne est primordial pour avoir des grains d'or visibles et donc un gisement économiquement exploitable.

The South Portuguese Zone (SPZ), which host world-class massive sulphide deposits, forms the southern fold-and-thrust belt of the Iberian Variscan orogeny. This thesis focuses on seismic-reflection and seismic-refraction processing efforts on a subset of the IBERSEIS deep seismic-reflection data set aiming at resolving the SPZ upper crust in high resolution. A comparison of different crooked-line seismic-reflection imaging schemes showed that a processing sequence involving dip-moveout corrections, a common-midpoint projection, and poststack time migration of common-offset gathers provided the most coherent images considering the crooked acquisition geometry. Correlation with surface-geological data allows four units of different reflection character to be identified: the ~0–2 km deep Upper Carboniferous Flysch group, the highly reflective ~2–4 km thick and up to ~5 km deep Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC) group, and two deep Paleozoic metasedimentary units, with the shallower Phyllite-Quartzite group exposed in an antiform. Prominent diffracted energy was enhanced using a modified Kirchhoff imaging routine. High reflectivity and distinct diffractions mark extensive dike bands at 6–12 km depth, possibly related to the intense hydrothermal activity that led to the formation of the ore-bearing VSC group. Source-generated noise obscures potential signals from depths shallower than ~500m depth on the seismic-reflection sections. P- and SV-wave first-arrival traveltimes were inverted for velocity models imaging the shallowest crust. Overall, the velocity models correlate well with surface-geological data marking high (&gt;5.25 km/s) and uniform P-velocities for the Flysch unit in the southern SPZ. A prominent P-wave low-velocity body (~4.5 km/s) is resolved where the Phyllite-Quartzite unit forms the core of an antiform. P-velocities fluctuate the most in the northern SPZ with Flysch group units exhibiting high velocities (&gt;5.25 km/s) and VSC group bodies showing intermediate velocities (~5 km/s). Low VP/VS-ratios (~1.8) computed for the southern profile part are interpreted as less deformed Flysch-group units, whereas high VP/VS-ratios (~1.9) indicate fractured units.

The effects of some associated minerals on thiosulfate gold leaching were studied through thermodynamic analysis and leaching experiments on composite ore samples containing various minerals and a reference silicate gold ore. In the leaching test on the reference gold ore, about 93% of gold was extracted within 3.0 hours. The presence of various amount of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcocite, bornite, and some lead species, has significant detrimental effects. Under reduced oxygen conditions, the thiosulfate consumptions could be significantly reduced. High gold extractions (i.e. >= 90%) were observed in the leaching tests with reduced dissolved oxygen (i.e., 0.7% oxygen in the supplied gas) in the absence or in the presence of sulfide minerals such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite. High copper concentration and a pre-aeration step was also found to largely increase the gold extractions under such conditions. Thiosulfate-copper-ethylenediamine system was found effective in the leaching of gold. The leaching kinetics was significantly slower than that of the conventional thiosulfate-copper-ammonia leaching. The consumption of thiosulfate, however, was largely reduced. This leaching system worked effectively on the reference gold ore within a wider pH range (e.g., 6-11), with or without ammonia. The presence of ammonia in a low concentration improved the leaching rate but also increase the consumption of thiosulfate. Comparable gold extractions were observed in the leaching of the composite ores containing various sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcocite, galena and chalcopyrite. The leaching of gold in the presence of iron sulfides was also improved by applying chemical additives, such as, carbonate, calcium, galena, phosphate, and additional hydroxide anion. It is proposed that these additives either passivated the harmful surface of sulfide minerals or masked some detrimental aqueous species. Finally, some improved leaching methods concluded in this study were applied on a few industrial ore samples in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods. It was found that by comprehensively applying these improved thiosulfate leaching strategies, satisfactory gold extractions and thiosulfate consumption results were archived on these ores. / Thesis (Ph.D, Mining Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2008-09-18 11:48:38.672

No description available.

No description available.

The Pacific Rim Terrane in British Columbia is a group of fault-bound forearc metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks subcreted to Wrangellia, comprising three lithological units: the Leech River Complex (LRC), the Pandora Peak Unit (PPU), and the Pacific Rim Complex. Of these three, the LRC and PPU were subject to an elevated thermal metamorphic event which locally overprinted typical low temperature, medium pressure forearc assemblages with low greenschist through amphibolite facies assemblages. The field study shows that biotite, garnet and staurolite isograds occur concentrically in the LRC, centered on the Leech River fault, which separates the Pacific Rim Terrane from the underlying Metchosin Igneous Complex of the Crescent terrane. Local thermal overprint in the PPU is sub-biotitic and is characterized by local replacement of prehnite-pumpellyite and lawsonite-bearing assemblages with muscovite ± chlorite. Multi-method geothermobarometry shows peak metamorphic temperatures from ~230 °C in the northern PPU to ~600 °C near the Leech River fault at ~4 kbar, and isotherms are continuous across the LRC-PPU boundary. The interfoliated Tripp Creek metabasites and Eocene Walker Creek intrusions do not control the distribution of isotherms, and syn-metamorphic felsic sills rarely have contact aureoles. Intercalated metabasites show two distinct rare earth element (REE) patterns, including NMORB-like light REE depletion among most Tripp Creek metabasites, and light REE enrichment in PPU metabasites. The lack of thermal aureoles associated with metabasites, and interlayered garnetite bands with negative Ce-anomalies attributed to seafloor hydrothermal processes, suggest the Tripp Creek metabasites are not syn-metamorphic sills and formed prior to accretion. The subcretion of then recently formed oceanic crust belonging to the Crescent terrane is identified as the probable cause of anomalously high temperature forearc conditions, as well as possible proximity to an Eocene mid ocean ridge. The high temperature metamorphic rocks in the Pacific Rim Terrane document the conversion of inherited primary pyrite to pyrrhotite in carbonaceous metasediments. S-inclusive pseudosections for LRC protoliths predict a low temperature (<420 °C) narrow pyrite desulfidation window that produces pyrrhotite and releases negligible S to the fluid phase. Conversely, sulfide petrography in the LRC shows pyrite can persist up to ~550 °C as inclusions in andalusite and staurolite porphyroblasts, as well as possibly in the rock matrix. S contents in carbonaceous pelites show a marked reduction at medium grade, associated with a dearth of visible sulfide in LRC phyllites. Sluggish pyrite desulfidation, pyrrhotite desulfidation, and terrane-scale S mobility are interpreted as the driver for mobility of intra-terrane sourced Au, leading to the formation of a hypozonal orogenic Au deposit in the central LRC. / Graduate / 2022-06-11

<p> The "B" horizon at Tilt Cove occurs in subaqueous mafic volcanics near the base of the Silurian Cape St. John Group. It is 3 metres below a well-banded oxide iron formation ("A" horizon). </p> <p> Mineralization in the "B" horizon is analogous to that of the East Mine in that it is volcanogenic and has resulted in extensive chloritization of the footwall rocks, and in the deposition of banded sulphides or the replacement of the existing mafic volcanics by sulphides. There are differences in the geochemistry mineral textures and mineral types. The East Mine host volcanics are alkali depleted basaltic komatiites to magnesium theleiites. The horizon host volcanics are spillitized magnesium tholeiites. Samples of ore from the East Mine show well-developed colloform and framboidal textures. Pyrite, magnetite, hematite and chalcopyrite are the dominant minerals with minor sphalerite and accessory covellite. Samples from the horizon show relict colloform textures and framboids with less internal structure due to overgrowths. Atoll textures indicating extensive replacement are common. Pyrite is the dominant sulphide followed by sphalerite, chalcopyrite, accessory covellite and gold. The chalcopyrite occurs both as replacement of pyrite and exsolution in sphalerite. The most significant difference between samples from the East Mine and "B" horizon is the greater abundance of gold in the "B" horizon and its correlation with sphalerite. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Freshwater shortages causes challenges in mineral processing in Chile, especially in arid regions. As a result, froth flotation; a mineral process, is shifting usage of freshwater to seawater. This has consequences in the consumption of flotation reagents and decreasing the flotation efficiency. Biotechnological developments allow conceptualising the use of bacterial cells and their metabolites as bioreagents in flotation; classified as bioflotation. In this thesis, 5 halophilic bacteria, namely, Halomonas boliviensis, Marinobacter spp., Halobacillus litoralis Hol-1, Marinococcus halophilus KOR-3 and Halomonas eurihalina P6-1 have been screened for the potential use as pyrite biodepressants at micro- and batch-scale flotation. The effect of bioconditioning minerals with these bacteria was studied using zeta potential, fluorescence microscopy and contact angle. Experiments measuring zeta potential show the isoelectric point (IEP) of pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite became more acidic post-bioconditioning. Fluorescence microscopy with Nile red; a hydrophobic stain, allowed for a method to visualize bacterial cells or collector potassium isopropyl xanthate (KIPX) on mineral particles of pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Additionally contact angle experiments show that strains Halobacillus litoralis Hol-1, Marinococcus halophilus KOR-3 and Halomonas eurihalina P6-1 had an influence on the contact angle of pyrite and chalcopyrite, inducing changes in their hydrophobicity. Microflotation experiments showed a decreased recovery of pyrite in presence of all strains, but notably, Halobacillus litoralis Hol-1 and Marinococcus halophilus KOR-3, also showed an increased recovery of chalcopyrite, making them ideal candidates as pyrite biodepressants. Halomonas eurihalina P6-1 showed low recoveries of both minerals, but a higher selectivity depressing more pyrite than chalcopyrite. Usage of autoclaved biomass from the three aforementioned strains in batch-flotation experiments resulted in the recovery of chalcopyrite improving, with a small decrease in the recovery of pyrite, overall showing a positive potential but not improving the system. Halophilic bacteria such as the ones used in this study show an influence on the floatability of pyrite, which could be commercially exploited to substitute lime as a pyrite depressant. Furthermore, the work in this thesis focused on studying the effects of cells in artificial seawater, both at micro and batch-scales which brings the laboratory experiments a step closer to industrially relevant conditions.

The co-evolution of life and the environment stands as a cornerstone in Earth's 4.5-billion-year history. Environmental fluctuations have wielded substantial influence over biological evolution, while life forms have, in turn, reshaped Earth's surface and climate. This dissertation centers on a critical period in Earth's history—the Neoproterozoic Era—when profound environmental shifts potentially catalyzed pivotal eukaryotic evolutionary events. By delving deeper into Neoproterozoic paleoenvironments, I aim at a clearer understanding of life-environment co-evolution in this crucial era. The first chapter focuses on an important juncture—the transition from prokaryote to eukaryote dominance in marine ecosystems during the Tonian Period (1000 Ma to 720 Ma). To assess whether the availability of nitrate, an important macro-nutrient, played a critical role in this evolutionary event, nitrogen isotope compositions (δ¹⁵N) of marine carbonates from the early Tonian (ca. 1000 Ma to ca. 800 Ma) Huaibei Group in North China were measured. The data indicate nitrate limitation in early Neoproterozoic oceans. Further, a compilation of Proterozoic sedimentary δ¹⁵N data, together with box model simulations, suggest a ~50% increase in marine nitrate availability at ~800 Ma. Limited nitrate availability in early Neoproterozoic oceans may have delayed the ecological rise of eukaryotes until ~800 Ma when increased nitrate supply, together with other environmental and ecological factors, may have contributed to the transition from prokaryote-dominant to eukaryote-dominant marine ecosystems. Recognizing the spatial and temporal variations in Neoproterozoic oceanic environments, the second chapter lays the groundwork for a robust stratigraphic framework for the early Tonian Period. Employing the dynamic time warping algorithm, I constructed a global stratigraphic framework for the early Tonian Period using δ¹³C_carb data from the North China, São Francisco, and Congo cratons. This exercise confirms the generally narrow range of δ¹³C_carb fluctuations in the early Tonian, but also confirms the presence of a negative δ¹³C_carb excursion of notable magnitude (~9 ‰) at ca. 920 Ma in multiple records, suggesting that it was global in scope. This negative excursion, known as the Majiatun excursion, is likely the oldest negative excursion in the Neoproterozoic Era and marks the onset of the dynamic Neoproterozoic carbon cycle. Shifting focus to the late Neoproterozoic, the third chapter delves into the origins of Neoproterozoic superheavy pyrite, whose bulk-sample δ³⁴S values are greater than those of contemporaneous seawater sulfate and whose origins remain controversial. Two supervised machine learning algorithms were trained on a large LA-ICP-MS pyrite trace element database to distinguish pyrite of different origins. The analysis validates that two models built on the co-behavior of 12 trace elements (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Sb, Te, Au, Tl, and Pb) can be used to accurately predict pyrite origins. This novel approach was then used to identify the origins of pyrite from two Neoproterozoic sedimentary successions in South China. The first set of samples contains isotopically superheavy pyrite from the Cryogenian Tiesi'ao and Datangpo formations. The second set of samples contains pyritic rims from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation; these pyrite rims are associated with fossiliferous chert nodules and do not have superheavy sulfur isotopes. For the superheavy pyrite, the models consistently show high confidence levels in identifying its genesis type, and three out of four samples were inferred to be of sedimentary origins. For the pyritic nodule rims, the models suggest that early diagenetic pyrite was subsequently altered by hydrothermal fluids and therefore shows mixed signals. The third chapter highlights the importance of pyrite trace elements in deciphering and distinguishing the origins of pyrite in sedimentary strata. / Doctor of Philosophy / Understanding how life and the environment have shaped our planet's story over 4.5 billion years is like piecing together an intricate puzzle. On the one hand, changes in the environment kickstarted big shifts in how life evolved. On the other hand, living creatures have also left their mark on Earth's landscapes and climate. This dissertation focuses on unraveling the mysterious Neoproterozoic Era (1 billion to 538 million years ago), a time when Earth saw some of its most dramatic changes. A significant aspect of my investigation delves into the evolutionary dynamics within ancient marine ecosystems. Specifically, I'm exploring a critical juncture when organisms with more complex cellular structures, known as eukaryotes, became ecologically more important than prokaryotic life forms in many aspects of Earth systems. By examining ancient rock formations from China, I have found evidence suggesting that nitrate, a vital nutrient, was scarce in the Neoproterozoic oceans. However, around 800 million years ago, there appears to have been a significant surge in nitrate availability. This surge potentially catalyzed a pivotal phase in evolution, possibly driving the shift from prokaryote to eukaryote dominance in these ancient waters. Second, there is a challenge to delineate a robust timeline for the early Neoproterozoic Era. Imagine trying to piece together a story from a time when there were no calendars or clear dates. Employing advanced statistical methods and comparing chemical signals preserved in carbonate rocks from disparate global locations, I endeavor to craft a coherent timeline for this crucial period. Within this timeline, a noteworthy anomaly in the carbon cycle emerged around 920 million years ago known as the Majiatun excursion. This anomaly represents a significant shift in the Neoproterozoic carbon cycle. Furthermore, my investigation plunges into the geochemistry of sulfur, an important element in shaping ancient marine environments. Certain sedimentary rocks harbor anomalous sulfur isotope signatures in the mineral pyrite (also known as fool's gold), hinting at dramatic environmental transformations during the late Neoproterozoic. Employing advanced analytical techniques and machine learning methodologies, I seek to discern the origins and implications of these anomalous sulfur isotope signals found in pyrite, unraveling their significance in reconstructing the environmental dynamics of ancient oceans.