**2. Study zones**

Seven mine areas from the most important metallic mining district in Spain have been selected (**Figure 1**): La Naya, Monte Romero and Mina Concepción from Iberian Pyrite Belt [3, 4], Brunita from Cartagena-La Unión [5], San Quintín from Alcudia Valley [6], and San Cristóbal and Las Moreras from Mazarrón [7].

#### **2.1 Iberian Pyrite Belt**

One of the largest concentrations of massive sulfide mineralizations in the world is hosting at the volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, in the southwest (SW) of the Iberian Peninsula. The main ore mineral is pyrite, although lower quantities of sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite are also found. An intense mining activity in this province is related to the exploitation of S, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, and Au from the sulfide ore minerals. Different studies have pointed out the significant concentrations of certain trace elements in sediments and soils surrounding mining or waste sites in the Iberian Pyrite Belt district [8]. The waters of the Tinto and Odiel fluvial systems are also affected [9]. Remediation has only been conducted in a few of the mine areas, although they still display significant environmental issues [4]. In 1998, an environmental disaster occurred in the SW of Spain, when the tailing dam of one of the bigger mines from the district was ruptured. Around 2 × 106 m3 of heavy metal-bearing sludge and ~4 × 106 m3 of acidic waters were released [10].

Monte Romero (**Figure 1**) comprises two mine ponds located at the Cueva de la Mora mine site, where Pb- and Zn-bearing minerals were benefited [3]. La Naya (**Figure 1**) is a mine pond located to the southeast of Minas de Riotinto town, and is one of the largest deposits mined during the extensive works in this mining group. The main ores extracted were Cu-bearing minerals and pyrite. Another mine

**87**

**Figure 1.**

*tailings; (i) San Cristóbal; and (j) Brunita.*

site studied was Mina Concepción, a restored mine pond located on the SE of the Almonaster la Real village (**Figure 1**). Tailings from the metallurgical treatment and benefit of pyrite were piled up over metavolcanic lithologies [4]. The contention

*Location and field photographs of the different studied mine areas: (a) location of the sulfide mine ponds in Iberian Pyrite Belt (LN—La Naya, MC—Mina Concepción, and MR—Monte Romero), Cartagena-La Unión (BR—Brunita), Alcudia Valley (SQ—San Quintín), and Mazarrón (SC—San Cristóbal and LM— Las Moreras); (b) Monte Romero; (c) acid leakage from Mina Concepción tailings; (d) detail of tailings in La Naya; (e) La Naya; (f) tailing dune in San Quintín; (g) Las Moreras; (h) borehole core samples from Brunita* 

*Geoenvironmental Characterization of Sulfide Mine Tailings*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84795*

*Geoenvironmental Characterization of Sulfide Mine Tailings DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84795*

*Applied Geochemistry with Case Studies on Geological Formations, Exploration Techniques…*

important environmental problem, especially if they are abandoned.

in flora and fauna, reducing the quality of streams and groundwater.

quantities of trace elements such as As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb. It becomes necessary to identify and characterize these hazardous areas where large quantities of potentially toxic elements can be released into the environment. Mine ponds are, therefore, an

Spain has a long mining tradition dating from pre-historic times up to the present day. A large amount of mine installations, galleries, and waste deposits were abandoned until the 1980s by the cessation of mining activity. Pollution from these sources can originate via mining spills, leakages, or wind-blown dust, and toxic elements with a high mobility can cause huge environmental problems: accumulation

An inventory of the abandoned mine waste deposits has been prepared by the Spanish Ministry of the Economy, through the Directorate General of Energy Policy and Mining [2]. The most relevant contribution of the inventory consists in the classification of the existing mine waste deposits based on their hazard potential for infrastructure and the human population. Another significant aim is focused on providing a qualitative geotechnical and environmental assessment of the elements at risk and an associated description. Further knowledge of the current status of the highest potential risk deposits is required because of the preliminary nature of the inventory, carried out by means of visual surveys and without sampling or

In summary, a complete geoenvironmental characterization of the affected areas is crucial for any proposal of effective measures that could help to minimize

Seven mine areas from the most important metallic mining district in Spain have been selected (**Figure 1**): La Naya, Monte Romero and Mina Concepción from Iberian Pyrite Belt [3, 4], Brunita from Cartagena-La Unión [5], San Quintín from

One of the largest concentrations of massive sulfide mineralizations in the world is hosting at the volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, in the southwest (SW) of the Iberian Peninsula. The main ore mineral is pyrite, although lower quantities of sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite are also found. An intense mining activity in this province is related to the exploitation of S, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, and Au from the sulfide ore minerals. Different studies have pointed out the significant concentrations of certain trace elements in sediments and soils surrounding mining or waste sites in the Iberian Pyrite Belt district [8]. The waters of the Tinto and Odiel fluvial systems are also affected [9]. Remediation has only been conducted in a few of the mine areas, although they still display significant environmental issues [4]. In 1998, an environmental disaster occurred in the SW of Spain, when the tailing dam of one of the bigger mines from the district was ruptured.

of heavy metal-bearing sludge and ~4 × 106

Monte Romero (**Figure 1**) comprises two mine ponds located at the Cueva de la Mora mine site, where Pb- and Zn-bearing minerals were benefited [3]. La Naya (**Figure 1**) is a mine pond located to the southeast of Minas de Riotinto town, and is one of the largest deposits mined during the extensive works in this mining group. The main ores extracted were Cu-bearing minerals and pyrite. Another mine

m3

of acidic waters

Alcudia Valley [6], and San Cristóbal and Las Moreras from Mazarrón [7].

**86**

Around 2 × 106

were released [10].

m3

testing.

**2. Study zones**

**2.1 Iberian Pyrite Belt**

environmental impact and concern.

#### **Figure 1.**

*Location and field photographs of the different studied mine areas: (a) location of the sulfide mine ponds in Iberian Pyrite Belt (LN—La Naya, MC—Mina Concepción, and MR—Monte Romero), Cartagena-La Unión (BR—Brunita), Alcudia Valley (SQ—San Quintín), and Mazarrón (SC—San Cristóbal and LM— Las Moreras); (b) Monte Romero; (c) acid leakage from Mina Concepción tailings; (d) detail of tailings in La Naya; (e) La Naya; (f) tailing dune in San Quintín; (g) Las Moreras; (h) borehole core samples from Brunita tailings; (i) San Cristóbal; and (j) Brunita.*

site studied was Mina Concepción, a restored mine pond located on the SE of the Almonaster la Real village (**Figure 1**). Tailings from the metallurgical treatment and benefit of pyrite were piled up over metavolcanic lithologies [4]. The contention

dyke retaining them is 8 m high, and three collector pipes going through the dyke controlled the drainage. The physical restoration and the landscape integration of the mine pond were achieved by sealing and reforestation with pine trees, substituting the original vegetation.
