Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087
DOI 10.1007/s10661-013-3237-9
Prediction of AMD generation potential in mining waste
piles, in the sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit, Iran
Soroush Modabberi & Ali Alizadegan &
Hassan Mirnejad & Esmat Esmaeilzadeh
Received: 28 November 2012 / Accepted: 25 April 2013 / Published online: 28 June 2013
# Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract This study investigates the possibility of
acid mine drainage (AMD) generation in active and
derelict mine waste piles in Sarcheshmeh Copper
Mine produced in several decades, using static tests
including acidbase accounting (ABA) and net acid-
generating pH (NAGpH). In this study, 51 composite
samples were taken from 11 waste heaps, and static
ABA and NAGpH tests were carried out on samples.
While some piles are acid producing at present and
AMD is discharging from the piles, most of them do
not show any indication on their AMD potential, and
they were investigated to define their acid-producing
potential. The analysis of data indicates that eight
waste piles are potentially acid generating with net
neutralization potentials (NNPs) of 56.18 to 199.3,
net acid generating of 2.193.31, and NPRs from 0.18
to 0.44. Other waste piles exhibited either a very low
sulfur, high carbonate content or excess carbonate
over sulfur; hence, they are not capable of acid pro-
duction or they can be considered as weak acid pro-
ducers. Consistency between results of ABA and
S. Modabberi (*) : A. Alizadegan : H. Mirnejad
School of Geology, University College of Science,
University of Tehran,
Tehran, Iran
e-mail: modabberi@ut.ac.ir
E. Esmaeilzadeh
National Iranian Copper Industries Company, Sarcheshmeh
Copper Corporation,
Kerman, Iran
NAGpH tests using a variety of classification criteria
validates these tests as powerful means for preliminary
evaluation of AMD/ARD possibilities in any mining
district. It is also concluded that some of the piles with
very negative NNPs are capable to produce AMD
naturally, and they can be used in heap leaching pro-
cess for economic recovery of trace amounts of metals
without applying any biostimulation methods.
Keywords Acid mine drainage . Net acid generation .
Neutralization potential . AMD prediction . Porphyry
copper deposit
Introduction
Porphyry copper deposits (PCDs) account for more
than 40 % of world copper production and more than
a third of world copper reserves (Vanecek 1994; Bor-
den 2002). The mining of porphyry copper ore-bodies
generally produces huge amounts of mine wastes,
exposing disseminated sulfide minerals contained to
the surface weathering conditions through this process
accelerating natural chemical weathering processes.
Oxidation of even small amounts of these sulfide
minerals may result in acid mine drainage (AMD)
production and the release of potentially toxic ele-
ments into the environment (Lapakko 1996; Lawrence
and Wang 1997; Plumlee 1999; Nordstrom and Alpers
1999; Smith and Skema 2001; Borden 2002) and has
been regarded as an important and key sustainability
9078
issue for the mining and minerals sector (Azapagic
2004). The pollution load resulting from AMD pro-
duction depends on the extent of sulfide weathering
and also heavy metal mobility (Stromberg and
Banwart 1999). Secondary sulfate minerals associated
with acid drainage usually include efflorescent salts
and Fe and Al-hydroxy-sulfate minerals containing
heavy loads of potentially toxic elements (Nordstrom
and Alpers 1999; Bigham and Nordstrom 2000;
Plumlee 1999; Modabberi 2004). AMD is the princi-
pal source of surface and groundwater pollution in
mining areas (Schreck 1998; Taylor 1998; Akbazaa
et al. 2007). Thus, the proper management of acid-
generating mine wastes is regarded to be one of the
biggest environmental concerns associated with metal
mining operations worldwide (Warhurst and Noronha
2000; Borden 2002; Lengke et al. 2010).
Several geochemical tests are used currently for
prediction and estimation of acid-producing potential
of mine wastes. Static tests are considered as the most
important geochemical tests for this purpose. Kinetic
tests have been developed to simulate or examine
weathering of mine-waste material considering the
relative rates of reactions of acid-producing and acid-
neutralizing constituents. Morin and Hutt (1998) fo-
cused in their valuable paper on the relationship be-
tween geochemical kinetic tests and the prediction of
acid rock drainage (ARD). These tests are generally
used when the results of static tests are not helpful or
need further details. Kinetic tests tend to be expensive
and time consuming (White and Lapakko 2000;
Jambor et al. 2000; Lottermosser 2007; Lengke et al.
2010). On the other hand, static tests such as acidbase
accounting (ABA), net carbonate value (NCV), paste
pH, and net acid-generating pH (NAGpH) are faster
and cheaper, and of course, acceptable estimates will
be generally obtained on potential to produce or neu-
tralize acid. However, they do not provide any infor-
mation on the dissolution rate of minerals. ABA in
combination with NAGpH test is used for screening
samples regarding their acid generation potential
(Schafer 2000; Greenhill 2000; Canadian Mine Envi-
ronment Neutral Drainage (MEND) 2001; Lengke et
al. 2010; Akabzaa et al. 2007). Akbazaa et al. (2007)
described the NAGpH test as a very simple, rapid and
cost-effective method, which simulates a long-term
oxidation in 24 hr.
In addition to adverse impacts of AMD, they may
contain valuable elements leached from the rock body.
Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087
Several methods were improved to economically extract
the elements form waste rocks or low-grade ores.
Luptakova et al. (2012) demonstrate the technical feasi-
bility of heavy metals removal from AMD using phys-
icalchemical and biologicalchemical methods in
abandoned Smolnk deposit in Slovakia. Ehrlich
(2004) describes in full detail the extraction of metal
values from ores with the aid of microorganisms
(bioleaching).
Akcil and Koldas (2006) provide a full explanation
of the occurrence and sources of AMD, their control and
neutralization processes, and the primary factors deter-
mining the rate of acid generation. They believe that pH,
temperature, oxygen concentration, and chemical acti-
vation energy for initiation of acid generation and of
course bacterial activity are among the key factors.
Egiebor and Oni (2007) present a detailed review of the
scientific knowledge with regard to the magnitude of the
problem, the chemistry and mechanism of ARD forma-
tion, the role of microorganisms, and the approaches for
the treatment, control, and prevention of ARD formation.
The Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit, the
largest copper mine in the region, consists of about
one billion tons of ore with average grade of 0.9 % for
copper and 0.03 % for molybdenum (Banisi and Finch
2001). During several decades of mining, about 330
million tons of sulfide ore and 36 million tons of oxide
ore have been extracted and it has been accompanied
by the extraction of more than 400 million tons of
barren or low-grade mining wastes stored randomly
around the open pit of the mine. Waste produced at the
first stages of mining activity contains subeconomic
amounts of copper, molybdenum, and other metals.
Most of the researches carried out on this deposit have
focused on various aspects of economic geology in-
cluding alteration, sulfide mineralization, and ore gen-
esis; however, none has examined the environmental
geochemistry of waste piles.
AMD is the most important environmental threat in
Sarcheshmeh area. The world-famous Iranian pistachio
orchards of Rafsanjan are irrigated by the water from the
Shour Stream downstream the mine, and any contami-
nation load released may affect the invaluable agricul-
ture in this area. For example, the AMD enriched in
heavy metals flowed into the Shour Stream in 2008,
caused a major pollution and mass mortality of cattle.
The objective of this paper is to assess the potential
of generation of AMD in selected mine-waste piles
produced during more than 25 years of mining activity
Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087
in the Sarcheshmeh deposit in terms of its acidbase
accounting characteristics. Based on the results of this
paper, appropriate management strategies can be
adopted in order to mitigate the environmental impacts
of AMD production. The other direct implication and
novelty of this paper is using the static methods as
means of classifying the waste piles for heap leaching
techniques based on their acid-producing or acid-
neutralizing potential deduced from the tests.
The Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit
The Sarcheshmeh PCD is located in a mountainous
area in south-central Iran, about 160 km southwest of
Kerman, in the southeast segment of the Central Iran
Cenozoic Magmatic Arc (Urumieh-Dokhtar belt).
Figure 1 illustrates the location of the Sarcheshmeh
PCD on a simplified geological map of Iran.
The mean elevation of the open pit mine is 2,650 m
above sea level, and it is located in latitude 2957 N
and longitude 5551E. The main access road to the
mine is the Kerman-Rafsanjan-Shahr Babak road. The
annual precipitation in the mining area varies from
300 to 550 mm. The temperature varies from +35 C
in summer to 20 C in winter.
The geology, alteration, and mineralization of the
deposit have been described by Bazin et al. (1968),
Waterman and Hamilton (1975), Etminan (1977),
Shahabpour (1982), Shahabpour and Kramers (1987).
Copper mineralization in Sarcheshmeh is associat-
ed with a granodioritic stock intruded into a folded and
faulted lower Tertiary volcano-sedimentary series
comprising andesitic lavas, tufts, ignimbrites and ag-
glomerates (Waterman and Hamilton 1975).
According to Shahabpour and Kramers (1987), the
alteration assemblage in the Sarcheshmeh deposit is
typically the alteration zones observed in other PCDs.
A potassic zone, characterized by secondary K-
feldspar and biotite, surrounds the lower grade core.
This potassic zone has been overprinted by a retro-
grade phyllic alteration. A strongly biotitized inner
zone, overprinted by weak phyllic alteration, has a
thickness of 50400. An outer, weakly biotitized zone,
subjected to strong phyllic alteration, is 50150 m
thick and forms a phyllic ring with an outer limit
corresponding roughly to the 0.4 % Cu cut-off grade.
A propylitic zone, approximately 1 km thick, sur-
rounds the whole complex and grades into unaltered
9079
andesite (Waterman and Hamilton 1975; Etminan
1977; Shahabpour and Kramers 1987).
The primary base metal minerals in the Sarcheshmeh
deposit are pyrite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, and trace
amounts of bornite. The highest copper grade is associ-
ated with the potassicbiotitic alteration. Both copper and
molybdenum grades decrease inwards, (Waterman and
Hamilton 1975; Shahabpour 1982). Open pit mining is
used to extract the Sarcheshmeh copper deposit, and
more than 21 million tons of ore per year is extracted.
The mining wastes in the Sarcheshmeh mining
district have been distributed in the lands and valleys
adjacent to the mine pit (Fig. 2). Pile 15 located in the
west side of the mine pit is the largest pile containing a
voluminous amount of mine wastes some of which are
producing AMD at present (Fig. 3). The eastern part of
the mine valley accommodates piles 11 and 26. Piles
30 and 31 are located in the northeastern part of the
mine. The southern valleys have been occupied by
inactive piles including piles 18, 19, 20, 21, and 24.
Since the materials stored in some waste piles e.g., 23,
17, and 10, have been used for construction purposes
or heap leaching, nothing remained from these piles
for sampling and further study. Mine-waste type and
date of start and end of loading in each pile have been
presented in Table 1.
Materials and methods
Because of the heterogeneity of mining wastes, it is
difficult to take a representative sample from a mine-
waste pile; hence, composite samples were collected
by mixing of at least four samples in different parts
of the piles in order to take into account the effect of
weathering and to study secondary minerals, espe-
cially where they have been produced in a long
period of time.
In this research, 51 composite samples were col-
lected from 11 mine-waste piles distributed around the
Sarcheshmeh open pit. Each sample was crushed and
homogenized in a jaw crusher, being pulverized to
minus 150 m, and then analyzed for total sulfur. It
is assumed that almost all of the present sulfur in
sample is in the form of sulfide.
Generally, several acid-producing potential (APP)
and neutralization potential (NP) procedures are used
by authors yielding different results. Among various
methods available for ABA, a method proposed by
9080 Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087

45 48 51 54 57 60 63

39
Caspian Sea
37

TEHRAN 35

33

Kerman 31

Sar-Cheshmeh 29

27

0 100 200 Km. Persian Gulf

25

Alborz Mountains Makran

Sanandaj-Sirjan zone Central Iran

Lut block Zagros fold belt

Eastern Iran Kopet Dagh

Sahand-Bazman belt

SYMBOLS
Study area
Fault
Thrust Fault
Fig. 1 The main structural units of geology of Iran, showing the location of Sarcheshmeh PCD in Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt of
central Iran (adopted from Hezarkhani 2006)
Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087
Fig. 2 Location of mine-waste piles around the Sarcheshmeh open pit (NICICO, unpublished geological map with minor
modifications)
Sobek et al. (1978) is widely used by different authors.
In this method, sulfur and acid-consumption potential
are used to characterize the bulk acid-generating
and acid-neutralizing characteristics of a sample. The
Miller et al. (1997) method has been used because of
its validity respect to other methods to calculate ABA
and NAGpH. APP has been calculated based on the
expression APP=31.25 sulfur wt% in the sample
(Sobek et al. 1978; Plumlee 1999). APP is expressed
in terms of kilograms of calcium carbonate required to
neutralize the acid which is supposed to be formed by
the complete oxidation of all of the potentially acid-
generating sulfides in 1000 kg of rock.
On the other hand, the NP of a samples was deter-
mined by adding a specified amount of HCl with
given normality to a sample with specified weight
(<150 m size), and then back titrating the remained
acid solution to pH 7.0 with NaOH of the same
9081
normality to determine the amount of acid consumed
by rock. NP is calculated as:
NP=VHCl25NHCl, where VHCl is the volume
of HCl consumed in the reaction with the rock sample;
NHCl is the normality of acid consumed; and the coef-
ficient of 25 is the equivalent factor. In order to determine
the normality of acid and base needed for the test, one
can preliminarily determine how intensely the sample
fizzes when reacting with HCl diluted to 1:3 (Table 2).
The net neutralization potential (NNP) and neutralization
potential ratio (NPR) are used to discriminate materials
as acid producing or nonacid producing. They are deter-
mined by the following equations:
NNP NP  AP
NPR NP=AP
9082 Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087

the reaction of a sample with hydrogen peroxide to

quickly oxide any sulfide minerals present within a
sample. During the NAG test, acid generation and acid
neutralization reactions can occur concurrently.
Hence, the final result represents a direct measurement
of the net quantity of the acid generated by the sample.
This value is commonly referred to as the NAG ca-
pacity and is expressed in unit kg H2SO4/t. NAG test
begins by adding 250 ml of 15 % hydrogen peroxide
to 2.5 g of sample. The peroxide is allowed to react
with the sample overnight. The acidity of the liquor is
then used to estimate the net amount of acid produced
per unit weight of the sample.
All chemicals used in the analysis were ultrapure
pro analysi materials produced by MERCK, and all
solutions were prepared with double-distilled water.
Total sulfur was analyzed by inductively coupled plas-
ma atomic emission spectroscopy, Varian Liberty- RL
model.

Discussion

As indicated in Table 1, according to mineralogical

Fig. 3 Natural production of acid mine drainage around the
waste piles in the Sarcheshmeh Mine. Width of image: a 10 m
and b 2 m
In addition, net acid generating (NAG) test is used
in association with the ABA to classify the acid pro-
ducing potential of samples. The NAG test comprises
investigations, WP11 is mostly oxidic composed of
oxidized minerals and WP5 has sulfidic mineralogy;
however, other waste dumps show composite
mineralogy.
Based on the analytical procedures described pre-
viously, APP, NP, NNP, NPR, NAGpH, and NAG
values have been calculated for the samples in terms
of kilograms of calcium carbonate equivalent per
1,000 kg of rock and have been shown in Table 3.

Table 1 The characteristics and duration of activity of waste piles (WP) in the Sarcheshmeh PCD

Waste pile Waste type Starting date Closing date

WP 5 Sulfidic January 4, 1977 January 20, 2002

WP 11 Oxidic February 25, 1975 Active
WP 15 Sulfidic August 22, 1978 Active
WP 18 Composite November 4, 1976 September 22, 1995
WP 19 Composite June 8, 1976 Jun 21, 1999
WP 20 Composite October 10, 1976 November 21,1999
WP 21 Composite November 30, 1976 Active
WP 24 Composite July 10, 1976 October 22, 2003
WP 26 Composite July 6, 1978 Active
WP 30 Composite December 22, 1994 Active
WP 31 Composite April 9, 1983 Active
Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087 9083

Table 2 Volume and normality of hydrochloric acid used for
each fizz rating (Sobek et al. 1978)
HCl (ml) HCl (normality)
None 20 0.1
Slight 40 0.1
Moderate 40 0.5
Strong 80 0.5
According to Table 3, all parameters show a wide
range indicating the heterogeneity of wastes produced
in the Sarcheshmeh Deposit. APP values range from
1.88 to 213.44, NP is between 14.3 and 78.7, NNP
between 199.31 and 76.89, NAPP ranges from
76.92 to 194.87, NPR from 0.07 to 42.01, NAGpH
from 2.19 to 6.65, and NAG ranges from 0 to 27.52.
Total sulfur shows a range between 0.06 and 6.83.
Sobek et al. (1978), Lawrence and Wang (1997)
and also Stromberg and Banwart (1999) suggested that
a waste material is capable of acid production when
the NNP is less than 5 kg CaCO3/t. In other words, in
order to produce acid, a rock should contain more than
0.16 % (5/31.25=0.16) sulfur. Although Day (1989)
proposed that an NNP value of +10 kg CaCO3/t
should be used as threshold for acid production. Price
et al. (1997) assumed that rocks with NNP values
below 0 and NPR values above 1 are possibly acid
generating unless the sulfur content is <0.3 % (AP
<10 kg/1,000 kg), or the NPR value is >2. SRK
(1989) and Ferguson and Morin (1991) assumed that
the samples with NNP values less than 20 are acid
generating, and samples with values higher than +20
will not produce any acid, while the samples with
NNP values between 20 and +20 have an uncertain
circumstance and need further consideration.
Theoretically, a rock with an excess of NP will not
generate AMD. However, because of the uncertainties
resulting from differential reaction kinetics, leaching
rates and mineral distribution in the rock, the com-
monly used screening criteria presented in Table 4 are
used. This table provides general guideline for
interpreting static test results, but they should not be
regarded as definitive values.
NPR is regarded as a useful tool for screening the
waste piles according to their acid production potential.
As mentioned previously, NPR=NP/AP and as Adams
et al. (1997) suggested, the material is considered
nonacid generating if the NP/AP >2.5, uncertain if 2.5
>NP/AP >1, and acid generating if NP/AP <1. In a more
detailed classification, Price et al. (1997) introduced a
scheme which is shown in Table 4.
According to NPR values in Table 3 compared with
the criteria in Table 4, samples D5, D11, D15, D18,
D18, D19, D26, D30, and D31 with NPR values
ranging from 0.07 to 0.44 are potentially acid forming
(PAF). Microscopic identification of samples also in-
dicated the presence of pyrite as the main sulfide

Table 3 Summary of static test results

ST=SS APP NP NNP NAPP NPR NAGpH NAG

D5 2.61 81.56 25.21 56.35 54.66 0.31 2.42 16.31

D11 2.86 89.38 33.2 56.18 54.32 0.37 2.53 20.02
D15 6.83 213.44 14.13 199.31 194.87 0.07 2.19 27.52
D18 3.36 105 46.07 58.93 56.75 0.44 2.55 18.3
D19 4.16 130 22.99 107.01 104.31 0.18 3.31 3.51
D20 0.06 1.88 78.76 76.89 76.92 42.01 6.65 0
D21 0.64 20 22.44 2.44 2.86 1.12 6.44 0
D24 1.62 50.63 55.79 5.17 6.22 1.1 4.45 0.16
D26 5.9 184.38 41.55 142.83 138.99 0.23 2.6 25.04
D30 3.12 97.5 27.98 69.52 67.49 0.29 2.6 19.95
D31 3.75 117.19 25.02 92.17 89.73 0.21 2.9 20.5
MAX 6.83 213.44 78.76 76.89 194.87 42.01 6.65 27.52
MIN 0.06 1.88 14.13 199.31 76.92 0.07 2.19 0
STDV 2.03 63.34 18.69 75.09 73.80 12.54 1.62 10.66

ST=SS Total sulfur percent taken equal to sulfidesulfur percent

9084 Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087

Table 4 Interpretation of ABA Results by NPR screening criteria (Price et al. 1997)

AMD NPR NPR Comments

Potential

Sulfide-S< None No further AMD testing required provided there are no other metal leaching concerns. Exceptions:
0.3% host rock with no basic minerals, sulfide minerals that are weakly acid soluble.
Likely <1 Likely AMD generating unless sulfide minerals are nonreactive
Possibly 12 Possibly AMD generating if NP is insufficiently reactive or is depleted at a faster rate than sulfides
Sulfide-S> Low 24 Not potentially AMD generating unless significant preferential exposure of sulfides occurs along
0.3 % fractures or extremely reactive sulfides are present together with insufficiently reactive NP
None >4 No further AMD testing required unless materials are to be used as a source of alkalinity

mineral in thin-polished sections of most of the waste
piles. Samples D21 and D24 with NPR1.1 have
uncertain (UC) characteristics, and for more certitude,
they should be tested kinetically. Pile D20 is found to
be nonacid forming (NAF) in all conditions, based on
its very high NPR value. This interpretation is exactly
consistent with Ferguson and Morin (1991) for NNP
values (Fig. 4). Figure 5 illustrates the diagram of NP
versus APP values (Castendyk et al. 2005). The best-
fit line in Fig. 4 shows the values of NP=APP for
rock samples. The NP values of samples in this re-
search are mostly lower than 80 kg CaCO3/t. Never-
theless, the rocks whose data are plotted below this
line can theoretically produce solutions with acidic
pH. Thus, based on this diagram, piles D15, D19,
D31, D30, D11, D5, and D26 are PAF, whereas piles
D20, D24, D18, and D26 do not generate any acid and
classify as NAF.
In Fig. 6, another classification scheme has been illus-
trated based on Ian Wark Research Institute (2002). The
diagram is based on the NAPP versus NAGpH values
confirming the results derived from other methods.
Conclusion
In this research, different static tests and criteria have
been used for the classification and evaluation of acid-
production potential in waste piles dumped during sev-
eral decades in the Sarcheshmeh copper deposit includ-
ing NNP, NPR, NP/AP, APP, NAPP, and NAGpH.
Different lower and upper thresholds were intro-
duced by different authors. Stromberg and Banwart
(1999) used 5 kg CaCO3/t as the upper limit of acid
production. However, Day (1989), Price et al. (1997),
SRK (1989), and Ferguson and Morin (1991) assumed
that the samples with NNP values less than +10, 0,
20, and 20 kg CaCO3/t are potentially acid gener-
ating, respectively. On the other hand, +20 is defined
as the upper limit, and any rock with NNP >+20 has

Fig. 4 Illustration of ABA

Results in a diagram based
on NNP and % S (Ferguson
and Morin 1991)
Environ Monit Assess (2013) 185:90779087
Fig. 5 Calculated values of
the acid-neutralizing and
acid-producing potentials
the potential for acid production. NNP values in the
Sarcheshmeh samples were calculated between
199.31 and 76.89 based on the analytical results. In
any case, the Sarcheshmeh waste piles D5, D11, D15,
D18, D19, D26, D30, and D31 are acid producing, and
D20 has a large NNP value with no potential for acid
production. These assessments indicate that there is an
excellent consistency in different methods, and all of
them support each other in differentiating waste piles
with acid-producing potential.
NPR values used by Price et al. (1997) are between
0.07 and 0.44 for samples collected from waste piles D5,
D11, D15, D18, D19, D26, D30, and D31; so, in com-
parison to the threshold value of >2, they are considered
to be PAF. Since PAF samples in the Sarcheshmeh
deposit show very large negative NNP and very low
NPR values, they definitely produce acid.
While samples D21 and D24 are considered uncer-
tain to produce acid based on NNP, APP, and NAPP,
Fig. 6 NAGpH versus NAPP
diagram based on Ian Wark
Research Institute (2002)
9085
they should be tested kinetically in order to find out
their acid-forming potential. Sample D20 by no means
is capable of producing acid.
Comparison of different criteria led the authors to
recommend the following threshold values for acid pro-
duction potential of any waste or rock body: APP>50,
NNP<0, NAPP>0, NPR<1, NAGpH<4, and NAG>1.
According to static tests, the aforementioned criteria
can be used with much confidence as a rule of thumb
estimation; however, some waste piles fall in uncer-
tain acid production field, and they should be tested
kinetically to verify whether they are acid producing.
Meanwhile, the NP, NPR, and NAG should be veri-
fied with kinetic tests to have their threshold values
derived.
Detailed mineralogical investigation may be used
as a means of estimation to strengthen the results of
static tests and is suggested to be compiled with static
test results.
9086
Using a combination of these rapid and low-cost
methods can be used in Sarcheshmeh to start a pilot
project of heap leaching for the recovery of valuable
metals. In this case, the waste piles can naturally
produce the acid required to leach metals from the
waste rocks, and there is no need to add bacteria or
stimulate the heaps by artificial methods.
Acknowledgments Authors would like to thank the National
Iranian Copper Industries Company (NICICO) for financial
support to this project according to student research support
no. 946172; especially, Ms. E. Eslami and Mr. M. Adbollahi.
Thanks are also due to the School of Geology, University of
Tehran for providing laboratory facilities for part of this re-
search. The authors also wish to thank Professor Mohammad
Reza Ganjali, Dean of University College of Science and out-
standing professor of the School of Chemistry of the University
of Tehran for his advice and also Meysam Vaez zadeh and
Hamid Reza Rahimi Lanji for their help with geochemical tests.
The researchers would like to express their appreciation for the
help of Dr. Rich Borden for his invaluable comments and
advice. We would like to express our sincere thanks to anony-
mous reviewers for their helpful comments.
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