An investigation of the porosity dependent strength and leachability of mine tailings matrices containing heavy metals

Figures & data

Table 1. Physical properties of the tailings

Type of tailings	Musselwhite	Mont Wright
D10 (mm)	0.0045	0.147
D50 (mm)	0.016	0.255
D60 (mm)	0.023	0.3
D30 (mm)	0.012	0.2
Cu	5	2.04
Cz	1.39	0.91
P4.75 mm (%)	100	100
P 0.075 mm (%)	74.9	2.05
Initial moisture content (%)	30.15	4.27
USCS	SM	SP

Table 2. Results of the atomic absorption analysis of the tailings

Tailings	Heavy metal (mg/kg)
	Cu	Fe	Cr	Zn	Pb	Ni
Mont Wright	ND	3660	ND	ND	ND	ND
Musselwhite	144	87,200	67	36	180	ND

ND, not detected.

Figure 1. Porosity values for Mont Wright Pozzolanic tailings matrices

Figure 2. Porosity values for Mont Wright tailings matrices

Figure 3. Porosity values for Musselwhite tailings matrices

Figure 4. Porosity values for Musselwhite Pozzolanic tailings matrices

Figure 5. Microscopic images of (a) Mont Wright (75% OPC, 15% S, 10% CF (1day)), and (b) Musselwhite tailings matrices (75% OPC, 15% S, 10% CF (1 day))

Figure 6. The strength test results of Mont Wright Tailings Matrices and the predicted strength using the models of Chen et al. (2013), Ryshkevitch (1953), Schiller (1971), Balshin (1949), and Hasselman(1969)

Figure 7. The strength test results of Mont Wright Pozzolanic Matrices and the predicted strength using the models of Chen et al. (2013), Ryshkevitch (1953), Schiller (1971), Balshin (1949), and Hasselman(1969)

Figure 8. The strength test results of Musselwhite Tailings Matrices and the predicted strength using the models Chen et al. (2013), Ryshkevitch (1953), Schiller (1971), Balshin (1949), and Hasselman(1969)

Figure 9. The strength test results of Musselwhite Pozzolanic Matrices and the predicted strength using the models of Chen et al. (2013), Ryshkevitch (1953), Schiller (1971), Balshin (1949), and Hasselman(1969)

Table 3. TCLP test results for Mont Wright and Musselwhite matrices

Mixture	Fe (mg/L)	Mixture	Fe (mg/L)
100% OPC (28 days), Mont Wright	1.0	75% OPC, 25% CF (28 days), Musselwhite	1.0
75% OPC, 5% FA, 20% CF (1 day), Mont Wright	ND	75% OPC, 25% FA (1 day), Musselwhite	ND
75% OPC, 5% S, 20% CF (1 day), Mont Wright	ND	75% OPC, 5% S, 20% CF (1 day), Musselwhite	ND
75% OPC, 25% CF (1 day) Mont Wright	ND	75% OPC, 25% S (1 day), Musselwhite	1.0
75% OPC, 25% S (1 day), Mont Wright	ND	100% OPC (28 days), Musselwhite	ND
75% OPC, 25% CF (7 days), Mont Wright	1.0	100% OPC (1 day), Musselwhite	ND
75% OPC, 25% FA (1 day), Mont Wright	ND	75% OPC, 25% CF (7 days), Musselwhite	ND
100% OPC (7 days), Musselwhite	ND	75% OPC, 25% CF (1 day), Musselwhite	ND
75%OPC, 5% FA, 20% CF (1 day), Musselwhite	1.0

OPC, ordinary Portland cement; CF, Calsifrit; FA, fly ash; S, slag.

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