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508732 
Journal Article 
Using red mud bauxite for the neutralization of acid mine tailings: a column leaching test 
Paradis, M; Duchesne, J; Lamontagne, A; Isabel, D 
2006 
Yes 
Canadian Geotechnical Journal
ISSN: 0008-3674 
43 
11 
1167-1179 
English 
WOS:000243945700006 
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is an environmental problem produced when sulphides come in contact with an oxidant (+/- bacteria) and water, producing acid generation and metals leaching. One solution proposed is to use red mud bauxite (RMB), which is very alkaline, to neutralize oxidized acidic tailings. A column leaching test has been set up to evaluate major aspects of field constraints. First, a field investigation was conducted in which RMB was spread in aggregates before mixing with tailings. This setup has been reproduced in the laboratory and compared with a homogeneous mixture. The analyses of the water effluent do not show any important difference between the two mixtures. Second, some studies show that the addition of Cl brine to RMB helps to maintain the long-term neutralization potential. Brine addition increased the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Cu in drainage water. Columns were set up with 10% and 20% RMB to evaluate the effect of the quantity applied. Addition of greater than 20% RMB increases the leachate alkalinity and concentrations of Al, Cu, Pb, As, Fe, and SO42- in drainage waters. The addition of 10% RMB, however, significantly improves the quality of drainage water over a period of 125 days and results in concentrations and pH values within the ranges of those recommended by Directive 019 of the Ministere de l'environnement, Quebec. 
acid mine drainage; red mud bauxite; tailings; environmental; geochemistry; neutralization; heavy-metals; industrial-wastes; aqueous-solutions; sewage effluent; amended sand; removal; soils; immobilization; phosphorus; adsorption