• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.2 s.48
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• pp.71-80
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• 2006

We examined the mineralogical composition of pyrite-bearing rocks by quantitative powder X-ray diffraction analysis using the matrix-flushing method and ROCKJOCK (a full pattern fitting computer program). The neutralization potential (NP) and acid generating potential (AP) were calculated on the basis of mineralogical compositions. The mineralogical AP was compared with the conventional AP calculated from bulk sulfur concentration to assess the applicability to the prediction of acid rock drainage(ARD). The pyrite content calculated by matrix-flushing method showed a high positive correlation($r^2$=0.95) with those by ROCKJOCK. The pyrite contents by matrix-flushing method was 1.45 times larger than those by ROCKJOCK. The pyrite content and mineralogical AP obtained by the matrix-flushing method had a better correlation($r^2$=0.98) with those by the total sulfur concentrations in the all samples except KB sample. The mineralogical NPs of YJ sample were 23.0 and 34.0(kg $CaCO_3$ equivalent per tonne) by matrix-flushing method and ROCKJOCK, respectively. The AP calculated by matrix-flushing method and ROCKJOCK program were 47% and 72% of those by the conventional ABA test. We hereby suggested that the quantitative analysis using XRD data can be applied to prediction of ARD. For more reliable calculation of the mineralogical NP and AP, other sulfide and carbonate minerals such as pyrrhotite, dolomite, ankerite, siderite, rhodochrosite which can affact the mineralogical NP and AP should be considered.