Understanding the relative reactivity of materials excavated for mining operations starts with characterization. Mine waste characterization is a collection of numerous chemical tests that can be used to measure the overall chemical reactivity of any mine waste (e.g. waste rock, tailing, development rock, unconsolidated overburden, soils, etc.).
Characterization tests are broadly classified as either static or kinetic type. Static tests are the foundational chemical tests that measure the bulk chemical composition and mineralogy of a mine waste whereas kinetic tests evaluate how the mine waste will react over time when exposed to air and water. LAM maintains and continuously adds to a mine waste characterization database that includes many different MN rock types. This database has allowed relative degrees of rock reactivity to be identified and has been a valuable resource for making technical decisions related to mine permit and environmental review actions.

Humidity Cell Array

Field scale rock piles
Mine Waste Characterization Research Documents
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