Abstract
In Góis municipality, there are many abandoned mines due to the intense mining exploration of tin and tungsten in past
decades. Vale Pião and Senhora da Guia are some of the main mines in the region. The present study proposes a methodology
for the exploration of the existing waste rock piles, based on the geochemical, mineralogical and grain size characterizations
with the objective of determining its exploration potential.
The methodology is developed in 3 stages: (i) stage 1 – waste rock piles inventory and sampling; (ii) stage 2 – characterization
laboratorial tests (analytical, mineralogical and grain size); (iii) stage 3 – Sn and W ore reserve calculation. In this study, it is
presented the primary results of stages 1 and part of stage 2 of the proposed methodology.
Given the heterogeneous nature of the waste rock piles (both composed by rock materials dismounted for opening the mine
galleries or by materials that have been processed in the mine’s concentration plant) the geochemical characterization allows
the development of a hierarchical classification of the waste rock piles according to its ore content. This way, it is possible to
quantify the economically important metals that exist in the waste rock piles and, therefore, evaluate the strategy to apply in its
exploration.
decades. Vale Pião and Senhora da Guia are some of the main mines in the region. The present study proposes a methodology
for the exploration of the existing waste rock piles, based on the geochemical, mineralogical and grain size characterizations
with the objective of determining its exploration potential.
The methodology is developed in 3 stages: (i) stage 1 – waste rock piles inventory and sampling; (ii) stage 2 – characterization
laboratorial tests (analytical, mineralogical and grain size); (iii) stage 3 – Sn and W ore reserve calculation. In this study, it is
presented the primary results of stages 1 and part of stage 2 of the proposed methodology.
Given the heterogeneous nature of the waste rock piles (both composed by rock materials dismounted for opening the mine
galleries or by materials that have been processed in the mine’s concentration plant) the geochemical characterization allows
the development of a hierarchical classification of the waste rock piles according to its ore content. This way, it is possible to
quantify the economically important metals that exist in the waste rock piles and, therefore, evaluate the strategy to apply in its
exploration.
Original language | Portuguese |
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Title of host publication | METODOLOGIA PARA APROVEITAMENTO DAS ESCOMBREIRAS DAS MINAS DE VALE PIÃO E SENHORA DA GUIA |
Subtitle of host publication | METHODOLOGY FOR REHABILITATION OF WASTE ROCK IN VALE PIÃO AND SENHORA DA GUIA MINES |
Publisher | X Congresso Ibérico de Geoquímica/XVIII Semana de Geoquímica, Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia |
Pages | 74 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Edition | 2015 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-989-675-038 |
Publication status | Published - 21 Oct 2015 |
Keywords
- abandoned mining areas, tin, geochemistry, waste rock piles exploration, tungsten