PNNL

Abstract

The knowledge of mineralogy and molecular structure of arsenic is needed to better understand the stability of As in wastes resulting from processing of gold ores. In this study, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe, Xray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS) techniques were employed to determine the mineralogical composition and local coordination environment of arsenic in gold ores and process tailings from a bench-scale testwork designed to mimic a common plant practice. Arsenic -bearing minerals identified in the ores and tailings include Fe oxyhydroxides, scorodite, ferric arsenates, arseniosiderite, Ca-Fe arsenates, pharmacosiderite, jarosite and arsenopyrite. Iron oxyhydroxides contain variable levels of As from trace to about 22 wt % and Ca to approximately 9 %.