Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

The potential risk and remediation priority of Hyungje, Suyeo, Myungbong, Dongil, Okdong and previously studied Au-Ag mines was investigated in order to compare the contamination of As and heavy metals around the Au-Ag mines. From the sequential extraction analysis, As and heavy metals existed mainly as both easily leachable and residual fraction. The variation of As concentration for the particle size showed the accumulation of As on smaller and larger particles due to weathering of tailings and mineral phases. From the pollution ratio for tailings and soils, it is necessary to consider the impact of As for estimating the potential risk of Au-Ag mining areas. Remediation priority of mine tailings is highest in the Dongil mine following the order of Okdong and Myungbong mine in terms of danger index. Myungbong mine tailing is naturally attenuated through the adsorption of As and heavy metals by hydrous ferric oxide, whereas Dongil mine tailing has the high potential of leaching and then should be remediated. Therefore, it is essential that dispersion of contaminants and their chemical species should be understood for evaluating the potential the remediation priority.