MINERALOGIA ODPADÓW PO FLOTACJI RUD MIEDZI ORAZ MOŻLIWOŚĆ ICH ROLNICZEGO ZASTOSOWANIA

Abstract

MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION OF POST-FLOTATION COPPER ORE WASTES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR AGRICULTURAL USEAbstract.The paper describes a mineral and mineralogical composition of post-flotation tailings of copper ores and their possible use for agricultural purposes. The tailings can find application as additives controlling the acidity of agricultural soils and as a source of microelements for plants. The following copper and lead minerals are dominant: covellite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite and galena; copper and lead carbonates are represented by malachite and cerusite. Iron sulphides and oxides, i.e.: pyrite, marcasite, hematite and goethite have also been identified. In the grain fraction >0.016 mm, native copper was find, whereas fine fractions were dominated by the presence of malachite. An experiment with acid soil and test plant (rye – Secale cereale) has revealed that the tailings may be applied for regulating soil pH. Metal distribution in the test plant showed that ca 85% of metals were find in the root biomass. Tailings that are designated as soil should be used rather for crops of industrial purposes than for consumption.