An Electrochemical Approach to Study the Reactivity of Sulfide Minerals: Application to the Acid Rock Drainage Generation

摘要

Results of an electrochemical study using carbon paste electrodes of pyrite and pyrrhotite samples suggest that the mineralgoical impurities associated with these mineals are the determinant factor on their reactivity under alternation systems. Theses results were supported by mineralogical and leachate chemistry data from leach cell tests ruch on these samples. Pyrite reactivity decreases in the presence of associated impurities due to a galvanic effect where as pyrrhotite reactivity appears to be controlled by the formation of a passivating layer, which overcome impurities effect. Electrocehmical responses of sulfide-bearing samples provided valuable information on the prediction of ARD generation.