MEND Project 1.17.lb
July 1987

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Reactive Tailings Study (RATS) Program is jointly funded by CANMET, provinces, and the mining industry. 'Me objective of the RATS program (1) is to produce an inventory of practical techniques which will enable the impact of acid-generating tailings and waste rock to be sufficiently reduced so as to allow for their ultimate abandonment without the need for on-going treatment or maintenance.

In 1985, Phase 1, a hydrogeochemical investigation of the Waite Amulet tailings site was conducted by Noranda Research. In 1986, Phase 2, the subject of this report, Noranda Research completed the definition of site hydrogeology, evaluated the geochemistry of the unsaturated zone, and defined oxidation control options for 1987 field evaluation.

This report outlines the methods of investigation and discusses the results of the 1986 program with recommendations for Phase 3 work. The results of the 1986 field study indicate:

• The unsaturated zone pore water exhibited a pH generally less than 3 with elevated metals levels; pyrrhotite and pyrite was strongly oxidized in the near-surface zone and exhibited decreased to negligible alteration with depth.
• The saturated zone water had a pH generally greater than 5 with significantly lower dissolved metal levels.
• An investigation of the mineralogy in the saturated zone indicated minimal to no signs of pyrrhotite alteration.
• Monitoring the pore gas for O2 in the unsaturated zone indicated 02 penetration was generally less than I m. This is consistent with the oxidation profile, and gaseous 02 entry may control oxidation.

The recommendations for Phase 3. the 1987 field season, are presented.

Last Modified: 2003-11-26		Important Notices

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