Table 1.

Initial characterization of mine waste rock and overburden.

Physicochemical propertiesWaste rockOverburden
Sand (%)4941
Silt (%)2725
Clay (%)2.467.50
Gravel (%)21.6027
pHH2O5.224.44
Water content (%)0.424.21
Total C (mg/kg)< 5003600
N (%)< 0.010.03
P (mg/kg)71320
K (mg/kg)31430
Na (mg/kg)< 1019
Ca (mg/kg)38240
Mg (mg/kg)193700
Mn (mg/kg)1090940
Mo (mg/kg)< 0.501.19
Fe (mg/kg)11800069000
Zn (mg/kg)< 5074
Pb (mg/kg)4.4613
Cu (mg/kg)1.6041
Cr (mg/kg)3.4319
Cd (mg/kg)< 0.100.38
Ni (mg/kg)1.4325
Hg (mg/kg)0.040.08