TY - THES

T1 - Evaluation of Excavation Methods for Jarosite Disposal Areas within Europe

AU - Griedl, Philipp

N1 - embargoed until 07-06-2021

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - The objective of this study is to provide an overview of possible extraction methods for the excavation of hydrometallurgical zinc production residue (jarosite) out of slurry containment embankments. The ultimate goal is cost estimation for the most suitable excavation approach, which strongly depends on geo-mechanical properties of the residue. The main challenge to the subjective is the strong thixotropic and unstable behavior of the material. Considering safety, efficiency, costs and viability aspects, various mining methods for material removal are suggested. Benefits and disadvantages of different approaches are assessed with the conclusion that hydraulic mining ranks amongst the best available practices especially with regards to safety and efficiency. However, due to the fact that jarosite impoundments have not actually been excavated before, the bulk stability behavior of the material inside the impoundments is difficult to predict, therefore the considerations presented are merely theoretical. This thesis provides the foundation for ongoing research regarding this topic, which is undeniably necessary to produce the more precise statements which a bankable feasibility study would require. Knowledge of the genuine behavior of jarosite within landfills can only be gained through practical in-situ trials which are indispensable for developing proven and reliable mining approaches. As part of a larger interdisciplinary study analyzing the recyclability of jarosite and its profitability, this work also touches on the subject areas of metallurgy and mineral processing.

AB - The objective of this study is to provide an overview of possible extraction methods for the excavation of hydrometallurgical zinc production residue (jarosite) out of slurry containment embankments. The ultimate goal is cost estimation for the most suitable excavation approach, which strongly depends on geo-mechanical properties of the residue. The main challenge to the subjective is the strong thixotropic and unstable behavior of the material. Considering safety, efficiency, costs and viability aspects, various mining methods for material removal are suggested. Benefits and disadvantages of different approaches are assessed with the conclusion that hydraulic mining ranks amongst the best available practices especially with regards to safety and efficiency. However, due to the fact that jarosite impoundments have not actually been excavated before, the bulk stability behavior of the material inside the impoundments is difficult to predict, therefore the considerations presented are merely theoretical. This thesis provides the foundation for ongoing research regarding this topic, which is undeniably necessary to produce the more precise statements which a bankable feasibility study would require. Knowledge of the genuine behavior of jarosite within landfills can only be gained through practical in-situ trials which are indispensable for developing proven and reliable mining approaches. As part of a larger interdisciplinary study analyzing the recyclability of jarosite and its profitability, this work also touches on the subject areas of metallurgy and mineral processing.

KW - Jarosit

KW - Schlammteich

KW - Absatzbecken

KW - Rückstände

KW - Abbau

KW - Abbauverfahren

KW - Zink

KW - thixotrop

KW - hydraulisch

KW - Stabilitätsbeurteilung

KW - Recycelbarkeit

KW - jarosite

KW - residue

KW - hydraulic

KW - mining

KW - method

KW - jarofix

KW - metallurgy

KW - iron

KW - precipitation

KW - zinc

KW - recycling

KW - evaluation

KW - excavation

KW - Griedl

KW - Philipp

KW - mineral

KW - processing

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -