EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE TRANSPORT OF ACID-SOLUTIONS AND COPPER IN TAILINGS IMPOUNDMENTS

A two-dimensional mathematical model for acid leaching of copper from mine tailings using injection and pumping wells is presented. The mode l considers the transport mechanisms of convection and dispersion with reactions that govern the fates of copper and acid. Reactions conside red are acid neutralization, copper solubilization, and copper adsorpt ion. The results of acid leaching experiments in laboratory columns (o ne-dimensional) and in the field at a tailings impoundment are present ed. The proposed model was validated for a one-dimensional experiment, and the model parameter fitting was found to be adequate in terms of the field experiment.