PHREEQC modeling of an abandoned high sulfidation open pit and SEM-EDS analyses of the mineralogy and geochemistry of the secondary phases developed

Three case specific PHREEQC geochemical models were developed including "Direct Precipitation", "Evaporation", and "Mixing with Rain water" in order to simulate the environmental conditions through the year, and to investigate the behavior of the acidic and rich in heavy metals waters of the pit-lake.

Scanning Electron Microscopy examination revealed the predominance of jarosite species and goethite in the mineral precipitate, followed by lower amounts of hematite, schwertmannite and anglesite. According to PHREEQC modeling, jarosite species formation is favored during both dry and wet periods, while the presence of schwertmannite, goethite, hematite and anglesite depicts the fluctuation of the physicochemical conditions through the year.