Geochemical characterization of slags, other mine waste, and their leachate from the Elizabeth and Ely Mines (Vermont), the Ducktown Mining District (Tennessee), and the Clayton Smelter Site (Idaho)

Open-File Report 2003-260
By: , and 

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Abstract

Waste-rock material produced at historic metal mines contains elevated concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements. Two types of mine waste were examined in this study: sintered waste rock and slag. The samples were collected from the Elizabeth and Ely mines in the Vermont copper belt (Besshi-type massive sulfide deposits), from the Copper Basin mining district near Ducktown, Tennessee (Besshi-type massive sulfide deposits), and from the Clayton silver mine in the Bayhorse mining district, Idaho (polymetallic vein and replacement deposits). The data in this report are presented as a compilation with minimal interpretation or discussion. A detailed discussion and interpretation of the slag data are presented in a companion paper. Data collected from sintered waste rock and slag include: (1) bulk rock chemistry, (2) mineralogy, (3) and the distribution of trace elements among phases for the slag samples. In addition, the reactivity of the waste material under surficial conditions was assessed by examining secondary minerals formed on slag and by laboratory leaching tests using deionized water and a synthetic solution approximating precipitation in the eastern United States.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geochemical characterization of slags, other mine waste, and their leachate from the Elizabeth and Ely Mines (Vermont), the Ducktown Mining District (Tennessee), and the Clayton Smelter Site (Idaho)
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2003-260
DOI 10.3133/ofr03260
Edition Version 1.0
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center
Description 53 p.
Country United States
State Idaho, Tennessee, Vermont
Other Geospatial Clayton smelter site, Ducktown mining district, Elizabeth and Ely Mines
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