Determining Heavy Metal Leaching And Transport From Abandoned Mine Wastes

The Bureau of Mines monitored the water quality in and near a copper/gold tailings impoundment. Samples were taken from the unsaturated %one. and dissolved concentrations of over ZO constituents were measured with respect to depth and moisture content, factors which influence oxygen content and sulfide oxidation. Samples from the unsaturated %one were drawn through a hypodermic needle sampler into individually evacuated vials fitted with septa, thus preventing oxygen contamination. Water quality was also monitored in the saturated tailings, underlying colluvial aquifer, and weathered andesite bedrock.