PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROBLEMS OF MINERAL PROCESSING, cilt.59, sa.5, ss.1-15, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the main causes of environmental threats resulting from
mining activities, yet efficient characterization and prediction of AMD potential of wastes play an
important role in preventing AMD. In this study, the chemical and mineralogical properties of fresh
waste samples, collected from waste ponds of the Görgü (Malatya) zinc-lead ore processing plant, were
determined and the results were used to explain its AMD potential. Alteration properties of the wastes
in water was investigated by monitoring certain properties of the prepared suspension with respect
time. Additionally, pyrite concentrate particles were added into the suspensions at certain proportions
to evaluate its effect on the AMD generation and alteration. Analysis and test results showed that the
raw waste was rich in carbonate and poor in pyritic sulfur, and hence did not have the AMD generation
potential. The pH, electrical conductivity, and metal ions concentrations of the suspension medium
were determined at regular intervals, and obtained data were found very beneficial to explain the timedependent behavior of waste in water. After the depletion of liquid in the suspension, the remained
solid residuals were chemically and mineralogically analyzed to compare with raw waste. It was
concluded that sufficient aeration and stirring of suspension is required for noticeable alteration of the
waste.