Copper-lead deposits at Funtana Raminosa in Central Sardinia were exploited mostly underground since 1917. Flotation tailings were dumped nearby the mine plant. Mining operations ceased in 1987; the mine drainage observed later from several galleries was circumneutral, due to the availability of carbonate minerals able to buffer the acidy produced by the oxidation of Fe-bearing sulphides. The chemistry of mine waters was characterized by dissolved SO4, F, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Mo contents higher than those observed in uncontaminated spring and stream waters in the area. Drainage from the oldest flotation tailings showed concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb much lower than those generally observed in mine waters. Drainage from the recent flotation tailings had the highest SO4, Zn and Cd dissolved contents (1600, 30 and 0.8 mg/L, respectively) when sampled in the dry season. In the Rio Saraxinus, a stream that drains the whole mining area, the water showed a relatively low level of contamination (concentrations of 170 μg/L Zn, 7 μg/L Cd and 0.9 μg/L Pb).
The abandoned copper-mine of Funtana Raminosa (Sardinia): preliminary evaluation of its impact on the aquatic system
CIDU, ROSA;
2007-01-01
Abstract
Copper-lead deposits at Funtana Raminosa in Central Sardinia were exploited mostly underground since 1917. Flotation tailings were dumped nearby the mine plant. Mining operations ceased in 1987; the mine drainage observed later from several galleries was circumneutral, due to the availability of carbonate minerals able to buffer the acidy produced by the oxidation of Fe-bearing sulphides. The chemistry of mine waters was characterized by dissolved SO4, F, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Mo contents higher than those observed in uncontaminated spring and stream waters in the area. Drainage from the oldest flotation tailings showed concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb much lower than those generally observed in mine waters. Drainage from the recent flotation tailings had the highest SO4, Zn and Cd dissolved contents (1600, 30 and 0.8 mg/L, respectively) when sampled in the dry season. In the Rio Saraxinus, a stream that drains the whole mining area, the water showed a relatively low level of contamination (concentrations of 170 μg/L Zn, 7 μg/L Cd and 0.9 μg/L Pb).
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