Vegetative Stabilization Tests on an Acidic Copper Tailing.
Pres At SME-AIME Fall Meeting and Exhibit Tucson Ariz 1979 Oct; :8 pages
The Bureau of Mines conducted field tests on acidic copper tailing as part of its program to devise, improve, and demonstrate technology for stabilizing mining and mineral processing wastes. Results are presented from successful 1/8- and 1-1/2-acre demonstration revegetation plots established in 1973-74 on an abandoned copper tailing pond located on public land adjacent to Holden Village, Washington. The tailing was neutralized with treatments of either dolomitic lime or limerock and fertilized with processed sewage sludge and/or commercial fertilizer. Plant growth covering 60 percent of the surface was achieved on both test plots. Regar brome, tegmar intermediate wheatgrass, and tall wheatgrass provided the best plant growth and surface coverage. In neutralizing the tailing, the ph of 6.8 Was not achieved; however, good plant growth occurred in areas where the ph ranged from 2.9 to 5.8.
Pres. At SME-AIME Fall Meeting and Exhibit, Tucson, Arizona, Oct 17- 19, 1979, SME Preprint 79-321