Oxidation sequence of sulfide minerals in operating and out-of-service mine waste storage

To determine the oxidation sequence for sulfides in stored mine waste and t o assess the effect of sulfide oxidation on the environment and the process ing characteristics of anthropogenic deposits, the electrode potentials of sulfide minerals were measured in alkali solutions under conditions similar to storage conditions. The surface oxidation of sulfides was studied in re lation to the nature and concentration of the dissolved gas. The influence of sulfide surface inhomogeneities and mineral concretion on the electroche mical oxidation was investigated. The oxidation rate of minerals was found to be increased by impurities with higher electropositive potentials.