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Potential for acid formation from tailings from the Coeur d'Alene mining area, Idaho Item Info

Tailings disposal in the steep narrow canyons of the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River has long been a problem for the mining companies of the Coeur d'Alene mining area. Pyrite (FeS2) in the tailings can be oxidized to form sulfuric acid and ferric hydroxide. The rate determining set in this process is the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron. Carbonates in the tailings can neutralize the acid formed by pyrite oxidation. Tailings from six active mines were collected for analysis of mineralogy and potential for acid formation. Samples from one of the active mines were found to be acid producing. Tailings that do not produce acid could be disposed by backfilling selected areas of the valley. Additional reclamation would have to take place to reduce the potential for erosion by the river. Acid-producing tailings could be disposed in a similar manner if safeguards to reduce or prevent acid formation are used.

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Title:
Potential for acid formation from tailings from the Coeur d'Alene mining area, Idaho
Authors:
Martin, Lawrence James
Date Created (ISO Standard):
1981-05
Description:
Tailings disposal in the steep narrow canyons of the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River has long been a problem for the mining companies of the Coeur d'Alene mining area. Pyrite (FeS2) in the tailings can be oxidized to form sulfuric acid and ferric hydroxide. The rate determining set in this process is the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron. Carbonates in the tailings can neutralize the acid formed by pyrite oxidation. Tailings from six active mines were collected for analysis of mineralogy and potential for acid formation. Samples from one of the active mines were found to be acid producing. Tailings that do not produce acid could be disposed by backfilling selected areas of the valley. Additional reclamation would have to take place to reduce the potential for erosion by the river. Acid-producing tailings could be disposed in a similar manner if safeguards to reduce or prevent acid formation are used.
Subjects:
mine wastes heavy metals water pollution
Location:
Coeur d'Alene Basin
Latitude:
47.52
Longitude:
-116.56
Collection:
Coeur d'Alene Basin
Rights:
In copyright, educational use permitted. Educational use includes non-commercial reproduction of text and images in materials for teaching and research purposes. For other contexts beyond fair use, including digital reproduction, please contact the University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu. The University of Idaho Library is not liable for any violations of the law by users.
Publisher:
University of Idaho
Contributing Institution:
University of Idaho
Type:
Text
Format:
application/pdf
Cataloger:
wbv
Date Digitized:
2012

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Source
Preferred Citation:
"Potential for acid formation from tailings from the Coeur d'Alene mining area, Idaho", Idaho Waters Digital Library, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections, https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/iwdl/items/iwdl-cda_martin_1981.html
Rights
Rights:
In copyright, educational use permitted. Educational use includes non-commercial reproduction of text and images in materials for teaching and research purposes. For other contexts beyond fair use, including digital reproduction, please contact the University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu. The University of Idaho Library is not liable for any violations of the law by users.
Standardized Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
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