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Potential for acid formation from tailings from the Coeur d'Alene mining area, Idaho Item Info
- 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:
- Rights to the digital resource are held by the University of Idaho. http://www.uidaho.edu/
- Publisher:
- University of Idaho
- Contributing Institution:
- University of Idaho
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Cataloger:
- wbv
- Date Digitized:
- 2012
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:
- Rights to the digital resource are held by the University of Idaho. http://www.uidaho.edu/