Investigating the Geochemical Model for Molybdenum Mineralization in the JEB Tailings Management Facility at McClean Lake, Saskatchewan: An X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study.
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 Mo(6+) species: powellite (CaMoO4), ferrimolybdite (Fe2(MoO4)3·8H2O), and molybdate adsorbed on ferrihydrite (Fe(OH)3 - MoO4). A minor concentration of a Mo(4+) 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.
Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9, Canada.|AREVA Resources Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3X5.
Peter E R
PE
Blanchard
Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9, Canada.|AREVA Resources Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3X5.
John R
JR
Hayes
Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9, Canada.|AREVA Resources Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3X5.
Andrew P
AP
Grosvenor
Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9, Canada.|AREVA Resources Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3X5.
John
J
Rowson
Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9, Canada.|AREVA Resources Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3X5.
Kebbi
K
Hughes
Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9, Canada.|AREVA Resources Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3X5.
Caitlin
C
Brown
D000327:Adsorption; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D060106:Lakes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry*; D012525:Saskatchewan; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D008903:Minerals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C044659:molybdate; D008982:Molybdenum; C092844:ferric oxyhydroxide