Hypergenic Evolution of Tin Sulfide Deposits and Geochemistry of Technogenic Waters in Komsomolsk District (Khabarovsk Krai, Far East of Russia)

Abstract— The evolution of hypergene and technogenic processes occurring in tin sulfide, copper–tin, and tin-polymetallic deposits of the Komsomolsky district of the Russian Far East is described. The results of long-term field observations and studies of hypergene and technogenic minerals collected in mine workings (ditches, quarries, galleries) and tailings, their natural associations, sequences, and zonality, and staging of mineral formation are given. The sulfide oxidation process in the bulk ore and tailings was simulated in a wide temperature range from –25 to 45°C using Selektor software package, which made it possible to determine physicochemical parameters of the resulting technogenic water solutions, but their ionic and molecular composition. The obtained data expanded our knowledge about hypergene and technogenic processes and conditions for the precipitation of secondary minerals during the appearance of a mining technogenic system in the course of exploitation of tin sulfide deposits and ore enrichment. The results of our studies have demonstrated negative impact of technogenic waters on the hydrosphere of the region.