Weathering studies of Bougainville mine tailings in lysimeters

Abstract

Lysimeter studies indicated that under wet tropical conditions, there was significant sulfur depletion in the upper strata of low sulfide tailing deposits within three years of exposure. The rate of acidification was influenced by drainage and aeration, and pH fell logarithmically with time. Copper mobilized by acidification was redeposited within the profile where the pH remained in excess of 7.