Carrier-microencapsulation using Al-catecholate complex to suppress arsenopyrite oxidation: Evaluation of the coating stability under simulated weathering conditions

Abstract

Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) is the most common primary arsenic-sulfide mineral in nature, and its oxidation causes the release of toxic arsenic (As). To mitigate these problems, carrier-microencapsulation (CME), a technique that passivates sulfide minerals by covering their surfaces with a protective coating, has been developed. In the previous study of authors on CME, Al-catecholate complex significantly suppressed arsenopyrite oxidation via electron donating effects of the complex and the formation of an Al-oxyhydroxide coating. For the application of this technique to real tailings, however, further study should be carried out to elucidate long-term effectiveness of the coating to suppress arsenopyrite oxidation. This study investigates the stability of the coating formed on arsenopyrite by Al-based CME using weathering tests. The Al-oxyhydroxide coating suppressed arsenopyrite oxidation until about 50 days of the experiment, but after this, the amounts of oxidation products like dissolved S and As increased due to the gradual dissolution of the coating with time as a result of the low pH of leachate. This suggests that co-disposal of Al-based CME-treated arsenopyrite with minerals that have appropriate neutralization potentials, so that the pH is maintained at around 5 to 8 where Al-oxyhydroxide is stable.