@article{10272/23135,
year = {2017},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10272/23135},
abstract = {This study assesses the environmental impact and the potential valorization of metal-sludge waste
generated by the active neutralization of extremely metal-polluted acid mine drainage (AMD). To this
end, two regulated leaching tests (EN 12457-2 and 1311 USEPA TCLP), a standardized sequential
extraction protocol (BCR sequential extraction) and single leaching tests were performed using dilute
common industrial acids. The results of the two standardized leaching tests showed a complete
discrepancy, classifying the waste as both inert (according to the TCLP) and not suitable for disposal at
landfills for hazardous waste (according to EN 12457-2). In this regard, the environmental characterization
of the waste using the BCR sequential extraction lined up with interpretations made by the EN
12457-2 leaching test, reinforcing the hazardousness of this type of residue. This waste requires careful
management, as evidenced by the release of high concentrations of metals (e.g., Cd, Zn, Al) when
interaction with rainfall and organic acids take place, exceeding the risk threshold values for aquatic life.
The easy extraction of base, industrial- and tech-metals that is possible with dilute acids encourages the
consideration of this type of sludge as an interesting alternative metal source with great economic potential.
The joint application of remediation treatments and metal recovery schemes could contribute to
the goal of zero waste production in mining activities, which would help to develop sustainable mining
practices worldwide.},
organization = {This work was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the project EMPATIA (Ref. CGL2013-48460-C2-1-R). R. Pérez-López also thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the “Ramón y Cajal Subprogramme” (Ref. RYC-2011-08086). Manuel A. Caraballo gratefully acknowledge the support from the Advanced Mining Technology Center of the University of Chile. This research was partially funded by Program U-INICIA VID 2014, grant 193, University of Chile, and by CONICYT, Program Fondecyt Iniciación, Project Nº 11150002. C. R Cánovas was funded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Program, Marie Skłodowska–Curie actions and the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment of the Junta de Andalucía (COFUND Grant Agreement 291780). We would also like to thank Dr. Jiri Jaromir Klemeš (Executive Editor) and two anonymous reviewers for the support and comments that significantly improved the quality of the original paper.},
publisher = {Elsevier},
title = {Management strategies and valorization for waste sludge from active treatment of extremely metal-polluted acid mine drainage: a contribution for sustainable mining},
doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.09.181},
author = {Macías Suárez, Francisco and Pérez López, Rafael and Caraballo Monge, Manuel Antonio and Ruiz Cánovas, Carlos and Nieto Liñán, José Miguel},
}