Objective Experimental work on chemical stability performed by the French Team (Cogema, INPL, U. Nancy) has contributed to the development of innovative test procedures. Methodology for the characterisation of each tailing and for the selection of the adequate binder is well established. Through further technical development, the research work related to adsorption processes could be tested in the operating plants. Mechanical strength testing done by the Portuguese Team (IST, CIMPOR) revealed that the cement type binder and corresponding proportion in the mixture varies with sulphide tailings characteristics. In any case, adequate addition of cement to sulphide tailings improve the mechanical strength of the mixture, decrease its permeability and reduce the capability of pollutant release. Tests for auto-ignition potential assessment were done by Almagrera and from the obtained results it can be concluded that without heating in air atmosphere up to a minimum of 400 C all three tailings have no auto-ignition capability. From the results obtained on the three different sulphide tailings it can be concluded that a viable technical alternative of underground disposal of these type of tailings can be studied through adequate testing and establish the economic conditions to assess the viability of its implementation into normal operation.European mining industries, they are base metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) or gold producers, are generally exploiting and processing sulfide mineralizations, stocking large amounts of sulfide tailings (pyrite, arsenopyrite...) containing toxic compounds and heavy metals.Available technologies such roasting to give sulfuric acid (and arsenic trioxyde) has become economically difficult because of the saturation of the market. Land disposal, in spite of recent developments like underwater disposal or dry covers, remains environmentaly hazardous in a long-term vue, as demonstrated by current canadian or swedish reclamation problems.Three major mining operators from EC have identified the similarity of their sulphide problem, in spite of differencies in tonnages, toxic concentrations or mining methods. They are also decided to develop a new answer to this problem by an integral recycling ofthis concentrated sulphide tailings in undergrund works after chemical stabilization. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecyclingengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringmining and mineral processing Programme(s) FP3-BRITE/EURAM 2 - Specific programme (EEC) of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 1.1.2 - Mining technology Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator PIRITES ALENTEJANAS SA Address Apartado 8 7600 Aljustrel Portugal See on map EU contribution No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ALMAGRERA SA Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Centro sotiel 21300 Calanas (huelva) See on map Other funding No data CIMPOR-CIMENTOS DE PORTUGAL SA Portugal EU contribution € 0,00 Address R. alexandre herculano 35 1000 Lisboa See on map Other funding No data Compagnie Générale des Matières Nucléaires (COGEMA) France EU contribution € 0,00 Address 87250 Bessines-sur-gartempe See on map Other funding No data INSTITUT NATIONAL POLYTECHNIQUE DE LORRAINE France EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rue du doyen m. roubault 54501 Vandoeuvre-les-nancy See on map Other funding No data IST Portugal EU contribution € 0,00 Address Av rovisco pais 1 1096 Lisboa See on map Other funding No data Université de Nancy I (Université Henri Poincaré) France EU contribution € 0,00 Address 24 rue lionnois 54013 Nancy See on map Other funding No data
