Abstract
DOI:10.2298/JMMB0901045S
46 Z. Stevanović / JMM 45 (1) B (2009) 45 - 57
Products of pyrite oxidation are sulphuric Copper mine Cerovo is the youngest mine
acid and iron (III) which further induce in scope of Mining and Smelting Complex
oxidation of other sulphide minerals and Bor, opened in 1991 and include open pit
generation of contaminated Acid Mine mining and processing plant with crushing
Drainages (AMD) with low pH value (2.5- stage (three stadiums), grinding stage (two
4.5) and increased content of SO4 and metals stadiums) and formed pulp thickening up to
ions (Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, Ni i Mn), 36% of solid contents. The thickened pulp
metalloids, etc. [17, 18]. Originated AMD`s was pumped by three serial linked slurry
mobilize and disseminate metals ions in pumps through steel pipeline up to the Bor
nearby rivers making strong negative flotation plant, which is located 13.3 km far
environmental impact, reflected through away from Cerovo mine. Operating period of
long term contamination of surrounding soil, Cerovo mine was very short, from 1991 up to
as well as surface and underground water 2002 and during this time, all wastewaters
system. from open pit and Cerovo processing plant
Main sources in scope of Mining and were collected into “ecological dam” and
Smelting Complex Bor for AMD origination from it, used back as technological water in
from overburden are three open pit mines processing plant. Since mine closure in 2002,
(Cerovo, V. Krivelj and Bor) located as atmospheric waters was continued to flow
illustrated on Fig.1. into the area of open pit making water
48 Z. Stevanović / JMM 45 (1) B (2009) 45 - 57
accumulation in the bottom of open pit with apart from being the source for AMD`s
about 400 m3 of water characterized by low origination and pollution, overburden also
pH value and high concentration of residual could be source for copper revalorization
metals and metalloids. Existing “ecological because AMD`s have some appearance with
dam” does not preserved a sufficiently high copper content of over 1g/dm3, which could
protection for surroundings soil and water be extracted by usage of up to date SX-EW
streams from further pollution, mainly processes. Therefore, the aim of this paper
because of huge average atmospheric was to make a contribution to defining
precipitation on annual level, calculated at possibility for environmental protection on
average of around 550 m3 per day which Cerovo location with making economic
flow into open pit area. Whereas mine benefits through copper revalorization by
Cerovo is the first spot from the North side, leaching and SX-EW technologies usage.
in scope of Mining and Smelting Complex According to proposed aim, we perform
Bor (Fig.1), where was mining activities, leaching experiments of overburden sample
surrounding cricks (Valja Mare and Cerova using adjusted mine waters from Cerovo
River), as illustrated on Fig.2, have upstream open pit accumulation followed by SX-EW
water quality of I and II category and treatment of pregnant leach solution objected
downstream are highly polluted by AMDs to metal copper producing. The intention was
through disorganized natural system of to determine optimum process parameters
surface and underground water system. for eventual large scale process on mine site
Owing to dumped overburden quantity of where all mine waters will be collected and
around 25.000.000 tons with average copper treated.
content of 0.21% and increased content of Results of presented investigations have
pyrite, it could be expected that AMD to route direction of further steps for defining
origination will last very long time causing a possibilities of this issue resolving and also
lot of environmental problems. However, to induce Mining and Smelting Complex Bor
management to consider implementation of
SX-EW processes on other similar resources
in scope of Bor Copper Mines.
2. Experimental
3.3. Electrowinning