Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

The giant Tizert copper deposit is considered as the largest copper resource in the western Anti-Atlas (Morocco). The site is characterized by Cu mineralization carried by malachite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite; azurite is not observed. The host rocks are mainly limestones (Formation of Tamjout Dolomite) and sandstones/siltstones (Basal Series) of the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition. The supergene enrichment is most likely related to episodes of uplift/doming (last event since 30 Ma), which triggered the exhumation of primary/hypogene mineralization (chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, chalcocite I and bornite I), generating their oxidation and the precipitation of secondary/supergene sulfides, carbonates and Fe-oxyhydroxides. The Tizert supergene deposit mainly consists of (i) a residual patchwork of laterite rich in Fe-oxyhydroxides; (ii) a saprolite rich in malachite, or “green oxide zone” where primary structures such as stratification are preserved; (iii) a cementation zone containing secondary sulfides (covellite, chalcocite II and bornite II). The abundance of Cu carbonates results from the rapid neutralization of acidic meteoric fluids, due to oxidation of primary sulfides, by carbonate host rocks. Chlorite is also involved in the neutralization processes in the sandstones/siltstones of the Basal Series, in which supergene clays, such as kaolinite and smectites, subsequently precipitated. At Tizert, as can be highlighted in other supergene Cu-deposits around the world, azurite is absent due to low pCO2 and relatively high pH conditions. In addition to copper, Ag enrichment is also observed in weathered rocks; Fe-oxyhydroxides contain high Zn, As, and Pb contents. However, these secondary enrichments are quite low compared to Cu in the whole Tizert site, which is therefore, considered as relatively homogeneous.

Combustion of Metals in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres

Metal combustion is one of the main issues threatening service safety in oxygen-enriched atmospheres, leading to unexpected explosions in rocket engines. This paper reviews the recent development of metals combustion in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. Test methods under three typical conditions and combustion behaviors of three typical metals are mainly discussed. The microstructures of the combustion areas of tested samples in stainless steels, nickel superalloys, and titanium alloys are similar, containing an oxide zone, a melting zone, and a heat-affected zone. The development trend of metal combustion in oxygen-enriched atmospheres in the future is also forecasted.

Effective Gold Recovery from Near-Surface Oxide Zone Using Reductive Microwave Roasting and Magnetic Separation

High content of gold in near-surface oxide zones above the gold ore deposit could be recovered using cyanidation. However, restricting the use of cyanide in mines has made it difficult to recover gold within the oxide zone. In this study, we investigated an application of the reductive microwave roasting and magnetic separation (RMR-MS) process for the effective gold recovery from ores in a near-surface oxide zone. Ore samples obtained from the near-surface oxide zone in Moisan Gold Mine (Haenam, South Korea) were used in RMR-MS tests for the recovery of iron and gold. The effect of the RMR process on the recovery of iron and gold was evaluated by given various conditions of the microwave irradiation as well as the dosages of reductant and additive. The microwave roasting resulted in a chemical reduction of non-magnetic iron oxide minerals (hematite) to magnetite minerals, such as magnetite and maghemite. This mineral phase change could induce the effective separation of iron minerals from the gangue minerals by magnetic separation process. The increased iron recovery was directly proportional to the gold recovery due to the coexistence of gold with iron minerals. The RMR-MS process could be a promising method for gold recovery from the ores in near-surface oxide zones.

Surface structure modification of Ni3Al foil catalysts by oxidation-reduction treatment

A two-step treatment, oxidation in air followed by reduction in hydrogen, was carried out to modify the smooth Ni3Al foil surface into Ni particles supported on the oxide structure. The surface structure significantly changed depending on the oxidation temperature. A layer of granular NiO formed on the outer surface and inner oxide zone (IOZ) over Ni3Al foil surface after oxidation at 973 K. The IOZ was a mixture of Al and Ni oxides. In contrast, a large amount of faceted NiO particles formed on the outer surface after oxidation at 1173 K. Beneath the NiO particles, NiAl2O4 thin layer formed on IOZ over Ni3Al foil surface. And then, these NiO was selectively reduced to Ni after reduction treatment, constituting an oxide supported Ni particles structure. These results suggest that it is possible to modify the surface structure of Ni3Al foils simply by oxidation-reduction treatment.

Transmission Electron Microscopy of Isothermally Oxidized EB-PVD Thermal Barrier Coating on (Ni,Pt)Al Bondcoat

The growth and microstructure of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) underneath the electron beam physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) topcoat were examined after short-term isothermal oxidation (1100 °C, up to 50 hours) for the as-coated and gritblasted (Ni,Pt)Al bondcoats. Microstructural analysis was carried out by a high resolution scanning transmission electron microscope equipped with bright/dark field imaging, high angle annular dark field imaging, and nano-spot energy dispersive spectroscopy. Presence of mixed oxide zone (MOZ) and a continuous Al2O3 oxide zone (COZ) was observed on the thermal barrier coating (TBC) with the as-coated (Ni,Pt)Al bondcoat. However, on the TBC with grit-blasted bondcoat, only the continuous-columnar Al2O3 scale was observed. For the as-coated type bondcoat, numerous voids were observed near the interface between MOZ and COZ after isothermal oxidation. On the other hand, COZ showed parabolic growth without any formation of voids for the grit-blasted specimens.

Supergene Oxidation of Copper Deposits: Zoning and Distribution of Copper Oxide Minerals

ABSTRACT Copper oxides represent an attractive exploration target because even low-grade prospects have the potential to produce low-cost copper in an environmentally friendly fashion. Derived from liypogene and/or supergene sulfides, copper oxides comprise a series of distinct assemblages that characterize a variable pH. oxidizing geochemical environment known as “the oxide zone.” Development of oxide copper minerals is a function of source-rock and host-rock mineralogy, pyrite and other (copper) sulfide abundance and distribution, fracture density and distribution, phreatic and/or vadose zone occurrence and stability, and maturity of the weathering profile The paragenesis оf copper oxide mineral formation reflects local, dynamic changes in supergene solution composition attributable to reaction between host-rock mineral components and dissolved species Especially important are the concentrations of because mineral assemblages, even those that are metastable. represent the geochemical environment in which they formed, identification and mapping of copper oxides is useful in interpreting the geochemical history of an oxide zone. Furthermore, practical application of oxide zone geochemistry is significant in the recognition and solution of problems associated with weathering-engendered metals oxidation and transport from mine wastes.