Abstract
There are about 1.8 Mt (2 million st) of discarded dolomitic-limestone tailings from the Gays River lead/zinc mining operation in Nova Scotia currently stockpiled in a tailings pond at the mill site. Neutralization effectiveness similar to an agricultural grade limestone and low contents of residual metals make the tailings a potential source of soil conditioner material for the local market. However, the fine particle size, 98% passing 147 µm (about 100 mesh), and a moisture content of 20% make their handling, shipping, and application to soils difficult. The tailings were agglomerated into small hard pellets with various amounts of soil nutrients, moisture content less than 13%, and pH values ranging from 6.5 to 8.7.
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SME preprint 85–102, SME-AIME Annual Meeting, New York, NY, February 1985. MMP paper 85–638.
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Rockwell, M.C. Improving the characteristics of fine dolomitic-limestone tailings by agglomeration with selected materials. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 3, 237–239 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402487
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402487