REGULARITIES OF USEFUL METAL COMPONENT DISTRIBUTION IN STALE TAILINGS IN “ZCMC” CJSC ABANDONED TAILING DAMS

Abstract

Re-processing of technogenic raw materials, such as enrichment tailings, is associated with solving a set of problems arising at the initial stages of tailing dams re-processing. One of such problems is to identify the regularities of distribution of useful metal components in the tailings layer and to establish the dependence of their content on various physical and mechanical characteristics of stale tailings.

The article presents the international experience, as well as the results of studies carried out recently at the abandoned tailings dams of “Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine” CJSC to identify the dependencies of changes in the contents of useful components on the granulometric composition of stale tailings. The conducted study showed a direct correlation between the content of valuable components and the granulometric composition of stale tailings. Notably, high concentrations of beneficial components were found in the coarse-grained fractions located in beach zones, whereas the fine clay fractions from the transitional and pond areas of the tailing dams displayed lower content of valuable components and are less suitable for secondary processing.

According to the chemical analysis of samples taken from the stale tailings of "Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine" CJSC the average copper and molybdenum contents are 0,119% and 0,014%, respectively. Additionally, distribution polygons of various metals and chemical elements have been built, which can be utilized in the research and development phases of technologies aimed at processing and extracting these components from the conserved tailing dams.

These findings underscore the importance of processing stale tailings not only to enhance the economic efficiency but also to reduce the environmental impact of the mining industry in Republic of Armenia. Processing industrial waste can address significant environmental challenges, such as freeing up land previously occupied by tailing dams and preventing environmental pollution. The implementation of technologies for secondary extraction of valuable components from tailings will not only boost the production volumes of precious metals but also lessen the need for developing new deposits. Therefore, the reprocessing of stale tailings represents a promising avenue for promoting the sustainable development of the mining sector and improving the ecological situation in the region.