Estimation of lead and zinc emissions from mineral exploitation based on characteristics of lead/zinc deposits in China

Nonferrous mining activities are some of the largest sources of heavy metals emissions into the environment and China is one of the largest producers and consumers of lead and zinc in the world.The cumulative productions and emissions of lead and zinc from mining-related activities in China were estimated.Up to 2007,the cumulative productions of lead and zinc in China were estimated to be about 6.69 and 12.59 Mt,respectively;and about 1.62 Mt lead and 3.32 Mt zinc emitted into the ambient environment during the mining,processing and smelting activities,representing 24.39% and 26.36% cumulative production,respectively.Among these three types of mining-related activities,mineral processing contributes the most to the total emission of 50.67% lead and 45.51% zinc.

Interphase migration and enrichment of lead and zinc during copper slag depletion

An interphase migration and enrichment model of lead and zinc during molten copper slag depletion was established.The occurrence of various components in copper slag was predicted using sulfur-oxygen potential calculations and confirmed through high-temperature experiments.The recovery rate of copper can reach 90.13%under the optimal conditions of 1200°C,an iron to silicon mass ratio of 1.0,3 wt.%ferrous sulfide,and a duration of 45 min.Lead(54.07 wt.%)and zinc(17.42 wt.%)are found in the flue dust as lead sulfate,lead sulfide,and zinc oxide,while copper matte contains lead(14.44 wt.%)and zinc sulfide(1.29 wt.%).The remaining lead and zinc are encapsulated as oxides within the fayalite phase.

Analysis of Oxygen Consumption in Lead and Zinc Metallurgy

This article analyzes the role of oxygen in lead zinc metallurgy,including shortening the metallurgical process,promoting energy conservation and environmental protection,improving metallurgical strength,enhancing raw material adaptability,and enhancing comprehensive recovery efficiency.This article introduces different lead zinc metallurgical processes and their oxygen consumption characteristics,including oxygen enriched side blowing lead smelting,oxygen bottom blowing lead smelting,oxygen enriched top blowing lead smelting,flash smelting lead,oxygen pressure leaching zinc smelting,and atmospheric pressure oxygen leaching zinc smelting.It is pointed out that oxygen enhanced metallurgy is the direction for the transformation and upgrading of lead zinc metallurgy.

Order of sphalerite and galena precipitation: A case study from lead-zinc deposits in southwest China

Most of the lead and zinc deposits in Southwest China, are characterized by mineral zoning, which is especially true for the Huize and Zhaotong deposits. The mineral assemblage zoning is consistent for both horizontal and vertical zoning, from the base(center) of the ore body to the top(outermost), the mineral zones are as follows. I-1: coarse-grained pyrite and a little puce sphalerite;I-2: brown sphalerite, galena, and ferro-dolomite;I-3: galena, sandy beige and pale yellow sphalerite, and calcite;and I-4: fine-grained pyrite, dolomite, and calcite. Among them, sphalerite is the landmark mineral of different zoning. From I-1 to I-3, the color of sphalerite changes from dark to light, its crystalline size changes from coarse to fine, and its structure changes from disseminated to veinlet. This mineral zoning is seen not only on a microscopic scale, but is also clear on a mesoscopic and macroscopic scale. It is caused by the order of the sphalerite and galena precipitation. We studied the metallic minerals and fluid inclusions using a thermodynamic phase diagram method, such as lgfO2–lgfS2, pH–lgfO2, pH–lg[Pb^2+] and pH–lg[HS^-], discussed the constraints on the order of the sphalerite and galena precipitation in the migration and precipitation process of lead and zinc under different pH values, oxygen fugacity, sulfur fugacity, and ionic activity. We also explain the formation mechanism and propose that the main controlling factor of the order of the sphalerite and galena precipitation is sulfur fugacity.

An experimental study on metal precipitation driven by fluid mixing: implications for genesis of carbonate-hosted lead–zinc ore deposits

A type of carbonate-hosted lead–zinc(Pb–Zn)ore deposits, known as Mississippi Valley Type(MVT)deposits, constitutes an important category of lead–zinc ore deposits. Previous studies proposed a fluid-mixing model to account for metal precipitation mechanism of the MVT ore deposits, in which fluids with metal-chloride complexes happen to mix with fluids with reduced sulfur, producing metal sulfide deposition. In this hypothesis, however, the detailed chemical kinetic process of mixing reactions, and especially the controlling factors on the metal precipitation are not yet clearly stated. In this paper, a series of mixing experiments under ambient temperature and pressure conditions were conducted to simulate the fluid mixing process, by titrating the metal-chloride solutions, doping withor without dolomite, and using NaHS solution. Experimental results, combined with the thermodynamic calculations, suggest that H_2S, rather than HS^-or S^(2-),dominated the reactions of Pb and/or Zn precipitation during the fluid mixing process, in which metal precipitation was influenced by the stability of metal complexes and the pH. Given the constant concentrations of metal and total S in fluids, the pH was a primary factor controlling the Pb and/or Zn metal precipitation. This is because neutralizing or neutralized processes for the ore-forming fluids can cause instabilities of Pb and/or Zn chloride complexes and re-distribution of sulfur species, and thus can facilitate the hydrolysis of Pb and Zn ions and precipitation of sulfides. Therefore, a weakly acidic to neutral fluid environment is most favorable for the precipitation of Pb and Zn sulfides associated with the carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits.

Organic Geochemistry of Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Deposits, Northern Guangdong

The characters of organic matter in rocks and ores in the Fankou and Dabaoshan deposits are systematically studied with regard to their implications for mineralization. The results show that kerogens in this area fall mainly into the plutonism field in Van Krevelen’s diagram.Reflectivity of the organic substance was measured to be 3. 06% (Fankou) and 1. 67% (Dabaoshan) , corresponding to the paleo-geotemperatures of 232℃ and 184℃ respectively.The same types of porphyrins and hydrocarbons were recognized in the rocks and ores and hydrocarbon-bearing inclusions are widespread in quartz and calcite, particularly in Dabaoshan. It is thought that the organic matter must have played a critical role in diagenesis and metallization in these deposits and that the hydrothermal solution was most 1ikely to be the type of water-oil hot brine.

Qinling-Type Lead-Zinc Deposits

Qinling-type Pb-Zn deposits are located in the Qinling fold belt, occurring in the fine-clastic and carbonate rocks of the Devonian marine facies. They are reformed sedimentary deposits originating from hydrothermal waters, and may be subdivided into 2 subtypes: hydrothermal sedimentary deposits (Changba subtype) and reformed hydrothermal sedimentary deposits (Bijiashan-Qiandongshan subtype). In comparison with some of the famous Palaeozoic Pb-Zn deposits in the world, the Qinling-type Pb-Zn deposits constitute an independent type, which possesses some characteristics of both hydrothermal sedimentary deposits (Meggen type) and reformed hydrothermal deposits (Mississippi Valley type).

LAWS GOVERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD-ZINC DEPOSITS IN CHINA

An attempt is made in this paper to describe the following laws governing the distribution of lead-zinc deposits in China: spatial distribution laws, temporal distribution laws, deep level control laws, and deposits association and zoning laws.

METALLOGENIC ANALYSIS OF THE DEXING COPPER-GOLD-LEAD-ZINC POLYMETALLIC DEPOSITS, JIANGXI PROVINCE, CHINA

The paper discusses the tectonic setting of the fortnation of the Dexing giant copper-gold-lead-zinc deposit and its geological features and demonstrates in detail the polygenetic compound mechanism of its formation.

Stable anode-free zinc-ion batteries enabled by alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface

Newly-proposed anode-free zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs)are promising to remarkably enhance the energy density of ZIBs,but are restricted by the unfavorable zinc deposition interface that causes poor cycling stability.Herein,we report a Cu-Zn alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface to achieve stable anode-free ZIBs.The alloy network can not only stabilize the zinc deposition interface by suppressing 2D diffusion and corrosion reactions but also enhance zinc plating/stripping kinetics by accelerating zinc desolvation and nucleation processes.Consequently,the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface realizes high coulombic efficiency of 99.2%and high stability.As proof,Zn//Zn symmetric cells with the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface present long operation lifetimes of 1900 h at 1 m A/cm^(2)and 1200 h at 5 m A/cm^(2),significantly superior to Zn//Zn symmetric cells with unmodified zinc deposition interface(whose operation lifetime is shorter than 50 h),and meanwhile,Zn3V3O8cathodebased ZIBs with the alloy network-modified zinc anodes show notably enhanced rate capability and cycling performance than ZIBs with bare zinc anodes.As expected,the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface enables anode-free ZIBs with Zn3V3O8cathodes to deliver superior cycling stability,better than most currently-reported anode-free ZIBs.This work provides new thinking in constructing high-performance anode-free ZIBs and promotes the development of ZIBs.

Isotopic Compositions of Sulfur in the Jinshachang Lead–Zinc Deposit, Yunnan, China, and its Implication on the Formation of Sulfur-Bearing Minerals

The Jinshachang lead-zinc deposit is mainly hosted in the Upper Neoproterozoic carbonate rocks of the Dengying Group and located in the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou （SYG） Pb-Zn-Ag multi- metal mineralization area in China. Sulfides minerals including sphalerite, galena and pyrite postdate or coprecipitate with gangue mainly consisting of fluorite, quartz, and barite, making this deposit distinct from most lead-zinc deposits in the SYG. This deposit is controlled by tectonic structures, and most mineralization is located along or near faults zones. Emeishan basalts near the ore district might have contributed to the formation of orebodies. The j34S values of sphalerite, galena, pyrite and barite were estimated to be 3.6‰-13.4‰, 3.7‰-9.0‰, -6.4‰ to 29.2‰ and 32.1‰34.7‰, respectively. In view of the similar δ34S values of barite and sulfates being from the Cambrian strata, the sulfur of barite was likely derived from the Cambrian strata. The homogenization temperatures （T ≈ 134--383℃） of fluid inclusions were not suitable for reducing bacteria, therefore, the bacterial sulfate reduction could not have been an efficient path to generate reduced sulfur in this district. Although thermochemical sulfate reduction process had contributed to the production of reduced sulfur, it was not the main mechanism. Considering other aspects, it can be suggested that sulfur of sulfides should have been derived from magmatic activities. The δ34S values of sphalerite were found to be higher than those of coexisting galena. The equilibrium temperatures calculated by using the sulfur isotopic composition of mineral pairs matched well with the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, suggesting that the sulfur isotopic composition in ore-forming fluids had reached a partial equilibrium.

A review of major non-sulfide zinc deposits in Iran

The numerous non-sulfide zinc ore deposits were the historical basis for the development of zinc mining in Iran.They include the Mehdiabad,Irankouh and Angouran world-class deposits,as well as the Zarigan and Haft-har deposits.These deposits were formed by supergene oxidation of primary sulfide minerals during the complex interplay of tectonic uplift,karst development,changes in the level of the water table,and weathering.Zn(Pb)carbonates,Zn-hydrosilicates and associated hydrated phases directly replace the primary ore bodies or fill cavities along fractures related to uplift tectonics.Direct replacement of primary sulfides is accompanied by distal precipitation of zinc non-sulfide minerals in cavities or internal sediments filling.The mineralogy of the non-sulfide mineralization in all six deposits is generally complex and consists of smithsonite,hydrozincite,and hemimorphite as the main economic minerals,accompanied by iron and manganese oxy-hydroxides and residual clays.Commonly,non-sulfide minerals in these deposits consist of two types of ore:red zinc ore(RZO),rich in Zn,Fe,Pb-(As)and white zinc ore(WZO),typically with very high zinc grades but low concentrations of iron and lead.Typical minerals of the RZO are Fe-oxyhydroxides,goethite,hematite,hemimorphite,smithsonite and/or hydrozincite and cerussite.Common minerals of the WZO are smithsonite or hydrozincite and only minor amounts of Fe-oxyhydroxides and hemimorphite.

REE Geochemistry of the Lead-Zinc Ores from the Jinding Lead-Zinc Deposit, Lanping, Yunnan

Nineteen volcanic and magmatic rock samples were collected from the Jinding lead-zinc deposit and its surrounding areas in Yunnan. The ICP and AES analyses, referred to the previous results, show that the metal minerals and altered rocks in the Jinding lead-zinc deposit display a decreasing trend of ΣREE from the early to late stages of mineralization, and similarities in REE distribution patterns, indicating that the ore fluids are characterized by high LREE enrichment, markedly negative δCe anomaly and slight δEu anomaly. These REE distribution patterns exhibit striking similarities to those of the Pliocene trachyte in the study area, both of which are similar in ΣREE, LREE/HREE ratio, δEu and δCe. The ore fluids besides the basin fluids in the deposit are also closely related to those associated with Pliocene trachyte magmas.

Study on the multi-sources of ore-forming materials and ore-forming fluids in the Huize lead-zinc ore deposit

The Huize large-sized Pb-Zn deposit in Yunnan Province, China, is characterized by favorable metallogenic background and particular geological settings. This suggested that the ore-forming mechanism is relatively unique. On the basis of geological features such as the contents of mineralization elements, the REE concentrations of gangue calcites, the REE concentrations of calcite veins in the NE-trending tectonic zone and the Pb, Sr, C, H and O isotopic compositions of different minerals, this paper presents that the ore-forming materials and ore-forming fluids of the deposit were derived from various types of strata or rocks. This is a very significant conclusion for us to further discuss the mineralization mechanism of the deposit at depth and establish an available genetic model.

A Preliminary Study on Fluid Inclusions and Mineralization of Xitieshan Sedimentary-Exhalative (SEDEX) Lead-Zinc Deposit

The Xitieshan lead-zinc deposit is located at the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai Province, China, and had developed a complete marine sedimentary-exhalative system. Our preliminary study of ore-forming fluids shows that fluid inclusions in quartz from altered stockwork rocks that represent the pipe facies have a wide range of temperature and salinity. The intense fluid activities are characteristics of the pipe facies of the exhalative system. Fluid inclusions in carbonates near the unstratified ore bodies hosted in the thick-bedded marble which represents vent-proximal facies are large in size and have moderate to high temperatures. They represent unerupted sub-seafloor fluid activity. Fluids in altered stockwork rocks and carbonates have similar H20-NaCI-CO2 system, both belonging to the sedimentary-exhalative system. The fluids migrate from the pipe facies to the unstratified ore bodies. Boiling of the fluids causes the separation of CO2 vapor and liquid H2O. When the fluids migrate into the unconsolidated thick-bedded marble, the escape of CO2, decreasing temperature and pressure as well as some involvement of seawater into the fluids result in the unmixing of fluids with high and low salinity and deposition of ore-forming materials. The two unmixed fluids were trapped in unconsolidated carbonates and the ore-forming materials were deposited in the unconsolidated carbonates to form the sedimentary-exhalative type unstratified ore bodies. The oreforming temperature of unstratified ore bodies is up to high temperature indicating that there is a huge ore-forming potential in its deep.

Lead Isotope Studies of Massive Surphur-Iron-Gold Deposits in the Tongling Area, Anhui Province

Pb isotope ratios and their variation have been measured and explained on ores of massive S-Fe-Au depos-its hosted in the Middle-Upper Carboniferous, on feldspars from diorite bodies closely related tomineralization and on whole rocks from ore-hosting strata (carbonate rocks) in the Tongling area, Anhui Prov-ince. Through a comparison of Pb isotope features of these geological bodies, it has been suggested that oresubstances of the deposits were derived from ore-hosting strata. In the meanwhile, the measurement of ore Pbisotopes of different mineralization types of the same deposit indicates that different mineralization types havedistinct Pb isotope characteristics, showing the potentiality of the Pb isotopic method used in mineral explora-tion.

Lead isotope geochemical characteristics of Pb-Zn-Cu deposits on the southwestern margin of Tarim,and their significance

The polymetallic(Pb,Zn,Cu,etc) ore belt on the southwestern margin of Tarim is one of the major regions with the greatest prospecting potential in Xinjiang.Reported in this paper are the lead isotope data for 66 sulfide samples(including 50 galena samples,15 chalcopyrite samples and 1 pyrite sample) collected from such representative deposits as Tamu,Tiekelike,Kalangu,Abalieke,etc.in this ore belt.The Pb isotopic ratios of 206 Pb/204 Pb,207 Pb/204 Pb and 208 Pb/204 Pb in the galena samples range from 17.931 to 18.176,15.609 to 15.818 and 38.197 to 38.944,with the average values of 18.017,15.684 and 38.462,respectively.Those in the chalcopyrite samples range from 17.926 to 18.144,15.598 to 15.628 and 38.171 to 38.583,with the average values of 18.020,15.606 and 38.262,respectively.The pyrite sample has the Pb isotopic ratios of 206 Pb/204 Pb,207 Pb/204 Pb and 208 Pb/204 Pb to be 17.980,15.604 and 38.145,respectively.In combination with the previous Pb isotope data for sulfides,it is found that there is only a slight variation in the Pb isotopic composition of galena,chalcopyrite,sphalerite and pyrite in the ore belt.However,there is some difference in Pb isotopic characteristics between galena and chalcopyrite,especially the Pb isotopic composition of galena shows an obvious linear correlation with some other relevant parameters(e.g.β and γ).The comprehensive analysis suggested that lead in galena(maybe including sphalerite and pyrite) was derived principally from wall rocks and underlying basement,and that in chalcopyrite only originated from the basement.The single-stage model ages of these sulfides couldn't indicate the time limit of metallogenesis(Pb,Zn,Cu,etc.),and the positive linear correlations for the Pb isotopic composition of galena are of no single-stage and two-stage Pb-Pb isochron significance.Furthermore,there are significant differences in Pb isotopic composition characteristics between the genetic type of deposits in this polymetallic ore belt and the Mississippi Valley type(MVT).In addition,the authors also pointed out that there is a phenomenon of differentiation(not paragenesis) for lead and copper elements during the process of metallogenesis in this ore belt.

Application of Lead Isotopes to Geochemical Exploration of Gold Deposits in Baoban,Hainan Province, China

Lead isotopes have been widely applied in geochemical explora tion and evaluation of ore deposits, as well as in ascertaining the age of miner alization and the source of ore fluids. Long-term practice showed that the meth od of lead isotope targeting is somewhat efficient for macroscopic evaluation of forecasting areas, but not powerful enough for forecasting concealed orebodies. As the contents of U and the variation of U/Pb ratio sharply decrease with dept h in the lithosphere, U-Th-Pb isotopic differentiation must have occurred duri ng the crust-mantle evolution. Lead isotopic ratios show a wide variation range , varying in the front of mineralization and shallow-derived ores, but maintain ing very stable in the major orebody and being usually close to the average isot opic composition of the crust and mantle of the continent block from which the o res were derived. Therefore, the lead isotopic composition can serve as a measur e for identifying the position of mineralization. The lead isotope geochemistry was applied to the exploration and evaluation of the Baoban gold deposits of Hai nan Province, China. The analytical results of ore veins and adjacent rocks show ed that there is a correlation between the lead isotope data and the position of orebody. Based on the experience from the Baoban gold deposits and other ore de posits in Yunnan Province, an exploration principle has been established, that i s, positive anomalies of lead isotope eigenvectors for prospecting deep-seated orebodies and negative anomalies of eigenvectors for enlarging lateral explorati on surrounding the known deposit. The ore beds in the Erjia and Beiniu mining di stricts should be assigned to the deep part of the orebody and those in the Tuwa ishan mining district should be the shallow part, so ore beds corresponding to t hose in the Erjia and Beiniu mining districts may be found in the Tuwaishan mini ng district.