Tailing Management and Remediation Techniques in Traditional Gold Mining

This study investigates the stabilization and solidification (S/S) of mercury-contaminated soil using Portland cement and fly ash as binding materials. The primary objective is to assess the effectiveness of the S/S process in reducing the leachability of mercury from contaminated soil, addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional gold mining practices that result in high mercury concentrations in tailings. A series of experiments were conducted, where soil samples with varying initial mercury concentrations were treated with different ratios of Portland cement and fly ash. The leachability of mercury was evaluated through standardized leaching tests, and the compressive strengths of the treated soil samples were analyzed to determine the mechanical stability of the solidified matrix. Results showed a significant reduction in mercury leachability, with optimal binding ratios leading to enhanced compressive strength, indicating effective immobilization of the heavy metal. The findings suggest that using an S/S approach can be a viable remediation technology for managing mercury-contaminated soils, making a noteworthy contribution to mitigating pollution from mining operations. Further research is recommended to optimize parameters for broader application in various contaminated land scenarios.