Monitoring moisture content and evaporation kinetics from mine slurries through albedo measurements to help predict and prevent dust emissions

The prediction and prevention of fugitive dust emissions from mine tailings surfaces depend largely on our ability to monitor and monitor and predict the evolution of tailings moisture content (TMC). Albedo measurements are demonstrated here to be valuable tools to quantify TMC in bauxite residue samples under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The difference in albedo between 1.30 and 1.55 µm obtained through the infrared integrating sphere method shows good correlations with those acquired with a field spectroradiometer while both are strongly correlated with TMC. Additionally, continuous spectroscopic characterization of evaporating residues is shown to reveal the evolution in their surface drying rates. These optical methods could help predict surface drying state, thereby improving the accuracy of dust emissions risk assessment protocols that support mining industries intervention and mitigation strategies.