Environmental impact of barite wastes from the Ain Mimoun mine, Khenchela, North-East Algeria.

Abstract

The barytic deposit of Ain Mimoune is a complex vein of hydrothermal type, which represents a very interesting mining potential on an economic level in view of the quality and quantity of the extracted ore. It is located at the northern flanks of the Khenchela anticline. To this effect the mining industry in Algeria occupies of the exploitation of this type of ore especially in the oil field. In spite of the productivity of the factory and good quality of the concentrate resulting from the jig REMER, a loss in useful mineral in the waste rock. This waste presents a serious threat for the environment and the habitat. In order to verify the impacts of these mine wastes, a mineralogical and hydrogeochemical study was carried out. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to samples taken from different mining sites in order to better understand the geochemical associations characterizing this study area as well as the possible origin of existing metallic contaminants. The analyses show a high degree of pollution by Ba with a maximum value of 9000 mg/kg for the samples downstream of the treatment plant on soils and 124.66 mg/L for surface and groundwater. Concentrations in waters in some stations largely exceed the norms of potability (W.H.O. norm, AFNOR norm). In the soil, the Ba and Pb content exceed that considered as natural. The results show the degradation of the environment in the proximity of the mining center. This is translated by the high content of barium Ba, lead Pb, NO3 and NH4.