Abstract

SALAS URVIOLA, Fernando Benigno et al. DETERMINATION OF POSSIBLE ACID MINE DRAINAGE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MINE TAILINGS FROM THE CERRO DE MERCADO MINE”, DURANGO, MEXICO. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.3, pp.729-744.  Epub May 04, 2021. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.53461.

The Cerro de Mercado mine, located in the state of Durango, Mexico, has stored tailings during the extraction process of hematite and magnetite for approximately 80 years. The objective of the present investigation was to characterize the tailings of the Boleo Estrella dam of the Cerro de Mercado mine, considering the Official Mexican Standard NOM-141-SEMARNAT-2003. The sampling was carried out in accordance with the Mexican Standard NMX-AA-132-SCFI-2006. Twenty-eight samples were obtained considering 16.2 ha of the dam surface. As a result of the residues characterization, alkaline pH values and minimum concentrations of sulfur and sulfates were obtained; the ratio of neutralization potential/acidity potential was greater than 1.2, which indicates they are not potential generators of acid drainage. On the other hand, the determination of metals and metalloids present in the tailings samples, which are considered potentially toxic elements, show the presence of arsenic (As) and barium (Ba) in values below the maximum permissible limits (MPL) indicated in NOM-157 SEMARNAT-2009; likewise, 22.2 % of these samples are within the established MPL for chromium (Cr) and 77.8 % are slightly above it. On the other hand, antimony (Sb) was not detected in 66.7 % of the tailings sampled; however, the remaining 33.3 % contains levels of Sb higher than the MPL. According to our study, it can be deduced that the tailings analyzed do not generate acid drainage and under the current environmental conditions, even with the presence of Cr and Sb, they do not pose a danger to the environment.

Keywords : environment; anthropic activities; heavy metals; alkalinity; leachate.

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