Investigating the Geochemical Model for Molybdenum Mineralization in the JEB Tailings Management Facility at McClean Lake, Saskatchewan: An X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study
Date
2015
Authors
Blanchard, Peter
Hayes, John
Grosvenor, Andrew
Rowson, John
Hughes, Kebbi
Brown, Caitlin
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American Chemical Society
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Article
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Abstract
The geochemical model for Mo mineralization in the JEB Tailings
Management Facility (JEB TMF), operated by AREVA Resources Canada at
McClean Lake, Saskatchewan, was investigated using X-ray Absorption Near-Edge
Spectroscopy (XANES), an elemental-specific technique that is sensitive to low
elemental concentrations. Twenty five samples collected during the 2013 sampling
campaign from various locations and depths in the TMF were analyzed by
XANES. Mo K-edge XANES analysis indicated that the tailings consisted primarily
of Mo6+ species: powellite (CaMoO4), ferrimolybdite (Fe2(MoO4)3·8H2O), and
molybdate adsorbed on ferrihydrite (Fe(OH)3 − MoO4). A minor concentration
of a Mo4+ species in the form of molybdenite (MoS2) was also present. Changes in
the Mo mineralization over time were inferred by comparing the relative amounts of the Mo species in the tailings to the independently measured aqueous Mo pore water concentration. It was found that ferrimolybdite and molybdate adsorbed on ferrihydrite initially dissolves in the TMF and precipitates as powellite.
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Environ. Sci. Technol. 2015, 49, 6504−6509
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Citation
Environ. Sci. Technol. 2015, 49, 6504−6509