Integrated Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterisation of Thalanga Mine Waste - Assessment of AMD, and Critical Element Potential (ULiège)

Abstract

This thesis assesses the potential for secondary sourcing of critical and high-tech elements from the Thalanga mine waste in Northern Queensland and investigates the associated environmental risk of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Comprehensive sampling and subsequent geochemical analyses, mineralogical characterisation, and Acid Base Accounting (ABA) tests identified considerable concentrations of Bi, Sb and As in the mine waste. Although ICP-MS geochemical data identified Se, and Te, these were not identified during the mineralogical characterisation. Some important elements that were identified but was not within the scope of this project is W and Sn in the form of scheelite and cassiterite respectively. The findings show significant secondary resource potential for Bi, As, and Sb which are important for the green energy transition and circular economy through numerous applications. An attempt to determine the exact mineralogical hosts of these elements was made, mineral names proposed are those as close as possible to the stoichiometry of the identified phases. The ABA tests returned results that indicate a high acid-generating potential in the waste necessitating continuous monitoring and management to mitigate/prevent AMD risks. The research emphasizes the dual opportunity for environmental management and potential economic benefit through resource recovery, encouraging geometallurgical approaches in optimizing resource utilisation and waste management. This study provides a contribution to the existing framework for sustainable mining practices, enhancing both resource utilisation and environmental protection.