KEM HSE & Mine Closure Department

Environment & MC-Monitoring Section

Title:
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL METHODS MANUAL No. : EAM69
Page : 1 of 4
Method: Determination of Nett Acid Producing Date : 30 May 2006
Potential of Rock Samples
Approved: Revision No. : 1

1. PRINCIPLE

The following is a rapid method for determining the Nett Acid Producing Potential
(NAPP) of rock samples. The Acid Producing Potential (APP) is estimated by
determining the total sulphur content using the Leco furnace method (EAM60), then
assuming complete conversion to sulphuric acid, and then calculating this sulphuric
acid as equivalent calcium carbonate.

The Acid Neutralising Capacity (ANC) is then determined by measuring dilute acid
soluble Ca, Mg and Mn by atomic absorption (EAM03 & EAM04), assuming that all
of these were present as their carbonates, and then calculating their neutralising
capacities as equivalent calcium carbonate.

Finally, the NAPP value is calculated by subtracting the ANC value from the APP
value (NAPP = APP - ANC; expressed as equivalent calcium carbonate).

2. APPLICATION

The method has been developed for the purpose of determining the NAPP value of
waste rock typical at the PT KEM site, as a means to managing Acid Rock Drainage
(ARD; see EIP06). It has been shown to be quite effective for such rock types.
However any extension to other rock types from a different location would need some
investigation to test its validity.

3. APPARATUS

3.1 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Varian Model Spectraa-20 Plus.

3.2 Suitable burner for nitrous oxide acetylene flame.
3.3 Appropriate hollow cathode lamps.
3.4 Leco Model SC-132 analyser.
3.5 Compressed gases: oxygen, nitrous oxide and acetylene with appropriate
regulatiors.
3.6 Exhaust Duct, suitably placed to remove fumes from the burner.
3.7 Combustion boats.
3.8 Hot plate in fume cupboard.
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 3.9 Laboratory glassware:
 beakers; 100 mL
 volumetric flasks; 1 L
 Erlenmeyer flask; 250 mL
 pipettes with safety bulb
3.10 Balance.
3.11 Optifix Dispensor.

4. REAGENTS

4.1 Hydrochloric Acid

Concentrated, AR grade.

4.2 Hydrochloric Acid, 0.5 Molar

Dilute 50 mL of hydrochloric acid to one litre with deionised water.

4.3 Cesium Chloride

Analytical Reagent grade.

5. ANALYSIS PROCEDURE

The Process Plant sample preparation laboratory provides a prepared sample of

about 50g.

5.1 SULPHUR DETERMINATION

The sulphur content of the samples is determined with the Leco Sulphur
analyser as detailed in method EAM60.

5.2 DETERMINATION of ANC

5.2.1 Weigh, to the second decimal place only, between 0.8 and 1.0 g of the
sample and transfer to a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Record the mass.

5.2.2 Add 30 mL of 0.5 M HCl using an Optifix Dispensor.

5.2.3 Mix by swirling and place on a warm hotplate for 15 minutes.

5.2.4 After cooling for a few minutes, pipette 1 mL of the clear solution
from above the settled solids and place in a 100 mL beaker.

5.2.5 Dilute with a nominal 50 mL from the dispensor (actually delivers

49.5 mL) and mix.

5.2.6 Pour off all but about 15-20 mL of the solution.

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 5.2.7 Add a small mass (50-100 mg) of cesium chloride to each beaker and
dissolve by swirling.

5.2.8 Measure Ca, Mg and Mn by atomic absorption using the nitrous oxide-
acetylene flame, appropriate standards and employing burner rotation
as necessary (see EAM03 & EAM05).

5.2.9 Record the results of each sample for each element as mg/L in
solution.

6. CALCULATIONS

All calculations are performed using a “spreadsheet” program on the computer.

The actual calculations performed are according to formulae stored in the spreadsheet,
but these are set out below for completeness.

Step Dilution

1 g (nominal) is dissolved and diluted to 30 mL 30

actual mass

1 mL of this is diluted to 49.5 mL 49.5

Total dilution 30 x 49.5 = 1485

actual mass actual
mass

Considering approximate dilutions, call this 1500

actual mass

% Ca in solid = mg/L Ca in solution x 1500

10,000 x actual mass

= mg/L Ca x 0.15
actual mass

Exactly the same calculation is made for Mg and Mn.

Acid Neutralising Capacity

To convert % Ca, Mg and Mn to equivalent CaCO3, the following calculations are

performed:
Equiv. CaCO3
%Ca x CaCO3 = % Ca x 100.09 = % Ca x 2.497
Ca 40.08
%Mg x CaCO3 = % Mg x 100.09 = % Mg x 4.116
Mg 24.32
% Mn x CaCO3 = % Mn x 100.09 = % Mn x 1.822
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 Mn 54.94
ANC total (as CaCO3) = Total of Ca + Mg + Mn (as equivalent CaCO3)

ANC Ca+Mg (as CaCO3) = Total of Ca + Mg (as equivalent CaCO3)

Acid Producing Potential

Acid producing potential (as CaCO3) = S% x H2SO4 x CaCO3

S H2SO4
= S% x CaCO3
S
= S% x 3.122

Nett Acid Producing Potential (NAPP)

Nett Acid Producing Potential = Acid Producing Potential - Acid Neutralising

Capacity. That is :

NAPP total = S% x 3.122 - ANC total

The NAPP if only the Ca and Mg are counted is calculated from :

NAPP Ca+Mg = S% x 3.122 - ANC Ca+Mg

NAPP Ca+Mg is commonly used for ARD management at PT KEM. A positive

(+ve) NAPP value indicates potentially acid generating materials. In fact at PT
KEM, a safety factor is added such that any material with NAPP value greater
(>) than
-2% is considered potentially acid generating.

Note: 0.98 kg Ca CO3 / tonne = 1 kg H2SO4 / tonne.

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