PERMFILE133050

• Permit No: M1977378
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/21/1988
• Doc Name: MEMO SLUDGE EVALUATION SUNNYSIDE GOLD CORP FN M-77-378
• From: MLRD
• To: ED BISCHOFF
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• i III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
STATE OF COLOI~~.DO
Roy Romer, Governor
Q
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION
FRED R. BANTA, Director
DATE: June 21, 1988
T0: Ed Bischoff & Camille Farrell
FROM: John T. Doerfer ~~
RE: Sludge Evaluation, Sunnyside Gold Corporation, File No. M-77-378
As requested, I have evaluated the potential toxicity of sludge from samples
of sediment from the Terry Tunnel at the Sunnyside Gold Mine. MY review
indicates this material to De acidic, potentially toxic, unsuitable as a plant
growth media and containing elevated levels of cadmium, copper, lead and
manganese which, from a water-quality perspective, could pose problems in
receiving waters. The sample data have characteristics similar to both the
grAy slime from Pond 2 and reddish sludge from the American Tunnel ponds.
The samples were collected from a trench where sediment excavated from the
Terry Tunnel setting ponds was being deposited and allowed to dry. Tltis
location was not an approved disposal area as noted during an inspection by
Camille on October 28, 1987. The issue is whether to proceed with an
enforcement action for failure to comply with the permit or require a revision
to designate this as a disposal area. The concern is whether this material
needs special handling or not. Sungyside Gold Corporation submitted the
results of chemical analyses and an interpretation that the potential exists
to revegetate these materials, and that the materials could not have keen
derived from chemical precipitation of mine drainage waters.
Acid Potential
Analytical tests were performed to determine if the sediment was acid
forming. Total sulfur (%) was determined, and when multiplied by the
stoichiometric ratio of 31.25, gives acid potential (tons/1000 tons).
Neutralization potential was also determined, and when this value is
subtracted from acid potential the result is the "acid-base potential" or net
neutralization potential (tons/1000 tons).
The levels measured in the Terry Tunnel sediment were compared to cribaria in
the literature (9nith et al. 1974, Sobek et a1. 1978). An average value for
the three samples was calculated. A neutralization potential of 15 was less
than the criteria of 20 which indicates the samples are acidic. The average
value for net neutralization potential is -14. If the net neutralization
potential is less than -5, then the material is considered potentially toxic.
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