Content analysis of heavy metals/metalloids and mineral composition of waste generated during uranium concentrate processing

Waste generated during mining and processing of uranium ore is the largest group of uranium mining wastes. Wastes collected in the forms of uranium piles, and evaporation and tailing ponds constitute a potential danger to ecosystems, because of the presence of radioactive elements and heavy metals. This paper presents the mineral and chemical compositions of rock wastes. Determination of mineral composition was performed using a DRON HZG-4 diffractometer. The content of heavy metals in samples of waste rock was determined by atomic sorption spectrometry. Spectral analysis was applied to heavy metals/metalloids such as As, Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, Cu, and Ni. The purpose of this analysis was to characterize the groups of extractive wastes in terms of mineral and elemental compositions. The sites examined were located in the Jelenia Góra Basin area in south-western Poland in the Lower Silesia province. Waste rock was taken from heaps located in Kowary-Podgórze and Radoniów. X-ray analysis of waste rock samples showed the presence of minerals in the wastes which commonly occur in the Jelenia Góra Basin area. Identified in the samples were minerals belonging to a group of zeolites and clay minerals which demonstrate the potential for sorption of heavy metals/metalloids. Spectrometric analysis of heavy metals/metalloids confirmed the presence of As, Cr, Zn, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the collected waste, but their concentrations do not exceed the limit values laid down in the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment on the quality standards for soil and ground. The analysis performed did not show that the examined group of mining wastes had a negative impact on the environment.