Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Gold Mine Tailings for the Potential of Acid Mine Darinage in the Sabie-Pilgrim's Rest Goldfields, South Africa

Abstract

The environmental hazards arising from active and abandoned mine tailings are a cause for concern. We report on the presence of mineral-related environmental hazards in both Glynn Lydenburg and Nestor mine tailings, approximately 6 km apart and located in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Based on XRD, shows a wide range of minerals: pyritic sulphide, quartz and mica. The XRF results showed that quartz was the dominant oxide in both the mine tailings; followed by Fe2O3 and Al2O3. Furthermore, trace elements, such as As, Cr, Cu, Pb, V and Zn, were also found which are hazardous to the environment.