GEOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF MIZUR MINING AND CONCENTRATION FACTORY INDUSTRIAL WASTES (UNAL TAILING, REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN OSSETIA-ALANIA) AS A BASIS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF POLLUTION SCALE BY IT'S THE SOIL OF THE ADJACENT AREA

Abstract

The abnormally high concentrations in a stale sands and clays from the surface layer (0,5 m) of a tailing beach of: S (9-19; 1,3-10,8 masses. %), Cu (14750-27410; 960-13210 g/t - here and further), Zn (57620-90350; 3990-41720), Pb (63040-124220; 4130-55910), As (225-1750; 140-355), Sb (19090-38350; 4760-10450), Sn (3050-5680; 1170-2850) installed by us in 2009-10 years, can be explained by: a) periodic changes in technological process of flotation enrichment, or, alternatively supplies to the factory of other type of polymetallic ore during the 2009-2010 years; b) overgrinding of the ore in their crushing, which resulted in a drastic reduction of flotation properties of ore minerals, which left in spoil tails as clay fractions; c) serious and frequent flotation process failings during this period of time (fixed by frequent appearances of thin clay partings in the sands). Based on geochemical researches (2009-2010, 2015-2016 years) of the tails samples, it was proved that maximum concentrations of economically valuable and environmentally dangerous elements are confined to clay and fine-grained sand fractions. It was found, that Unal tailing is a main and constant spring of strong technogenical polution of the adjacent area (soil of natural pastures, agriculture and hydrosphere). It was determined, that overlaining on the surface of tailing fine-grained and most enriched by ecological dangerous elements fraction< as a dust clouds, which are generated by practicable constant and strong winds which are blowing along the valley and pollute the soil of pastures, agriculture and may have a negative influence on health of population of Zinthar, Archon, Dagom, Unal, Biz and possible, Mizur settlements, as an ecological dangerous elements (As, Sb, Cd, В, Li, Pb, Zn and et al.) will be constantly are taken from tailing, polluting it and builds up in it. It was found that there is an increase content of TiO2, S, V, Ni, Cu, Zr, Sr, Ba down in section in the core of the well No 1, and in the core of the well No. 2 - only the concentration of sulphur increases. It is shown that the average content (g/t) of a wide range of macro-and microelements in the core from the well No. 2, drilled in the southern part of the tailings is slightly higher than in the core from well No. 1, drilled in its northern part. The content of S, Cu, Zn are only exceptions. Drilling of two wells at a depth of 4,5 and 9 meters showed that in order to obtain information about the distribution of economically valuable and environmentally dangerous elements in vertical section of tails it is necessary to drill several wells on all depth of tails (to 30 m). This will be possible only by using special equipment needed for drilling the «quicksands» level.