FLOURINE MIGRATION FORMS IN ACID DRAINAGE WATERS OF TUNGSTEN DEPOSITS IN THE EASTERN TRANSBAIKAL REGION

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Bukuka and Antonova Gora quartz-wolframite deposits of the eastern Transbaikal region. Main ore minerals in these deposits are wolframite and pyrite. The associated sulfides (sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and others) are more widespread in the Bukuka deposit. Vein minerals are represented by the major quartz and the subordiante calcite, fluorite and others. The deposits mainly developed by the underground mining method in the mid-1960s have not been completely exploitȩd. The ores were processed in the local dressing plants. Therefore, significant volumes of dumps and tailings accumulated at the deposits continue to contaminate the local water with toxic and other chemical components. Intense oxidation of sulfide minerals in both ore veins and dumps as a result of environment distortion promoted the replacement of natural carbonic acid and hydrolytic weathering by the sulfuric acid one. The formation of acid waters with the minimal pH value (∼2.0) became a decisive factor responsible for accumulation of anomalously high concentration of F and metals in them.