Chemical characterization and mineralogical analysis of mining-metallurgical tailing from the state of morelos

Abstract

The benefit of noble metals, such as silver contained in mining-metallurgical waste, is considered a challenge for the metallurgist because they are low-grade minerals, fine granulometry, and complex minerals by their refractoriness. To address this problem, a tailings characterization of the state of Morelos was carried out, using techniques such as atomic absorption spectrophotometry and Induction Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometry that gave similar silver concentrations of 104.8 and 106 g ton−1, respectively. In addition, a XRD study was carried out, which identified the presence of Xancotonite, in addition to Cu and Fe sulfides, and both species are contained in a silicon matrix. To abound in the mineralogical study, samples were observed in optical microscopy revealing mainly pyrite associated with quartz, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, and some particles with the appearance of a sulfosal, which were confirmed through SEM since elements such as S, Ag, As, and Sb were revealed through microanalysis to different particles.