Identifying key uranium sources in mine water: Open pit wall rock leaching and groundwater contributions in Leveäniemi open pit

Abstract

Uranium (U) release from mining is an environmental concern due to U's chemical toxicity and radioactivity. In Sweden, U is classified as a river basin-specific pollutant (RBSP), emphasizing the need to minimize its release from mining activities. This study aims to trace the sources of U contributing to elevated concentrations in mine water from Leveäniemi open pit, Northern Sweden, to inform point-source prevention measures to mitigate U release. The study investigates U leaching rates from key rock types forming the open pit walls and evaluates groundwater entering the open pit through drainage pipes and fractures as a potential source of U. Minewall weathering stations showed higher U leaching rates from pegmatites compared to other rock types. The pegmatite station where uraninite was the predominant mineral had a leaching rate averaging 1800 μg/m²/wk, compared to 430 μg/m²/wk at the station where pyrochlore was the predominant U mineral and uraninite occurred as inclusions in pyrochlore. However, pegmatites cover a small area of the exposed surface in the open pit compared to trachyandesite, which leached at a lower average rate of 30 μg/m²/wk. Groundwater entering the open pit through fractures and drainage pipes was also identified as a significant source of U in the mine water, further influencing mine water U concentrations. Careful handling of pegmatite-containing waste rock is essential to prevent increased U leaching in both the open pit and waste rock dumps. This study highlights the importance of identifying rocks with high U release potential before exposure during mining. Additionally, understanding the distribution of these high U-release rock types along groundwater flow paths can also help to predict groundwater U concentrations and inform site-specific management strategies to mitigate U contamination in downstream recipients.