Electrokinetic test results on porphyry copper mine tailings from Philex Padcal Mine, Benguet, Philippines
This dataset comprises results from electrokinetic (EK) leaching tests conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. The experiments were designed to investigate the recovered metals from mine tailings under electric field when exposed to twelve different solvents. The dataset includes the concentrations of metals leached at the end of each experiment, as well as the pH of the tailings following the leaching treatment. The porphyry copper (Cu) tailings used in this test were sourced from Tailings Storage Facility 1 (TSF1) at the Philex Padcal Mine (Benguet, Philippines). The twelve solvents tested comprised inorganic acids (nitric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric), organic acids (citric, acetic, and malonic), chloride solutions (sodium chloride and ferric chloride), and three deep eutectic solvents. A conventional three-compartment high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reactor (2 cm wall thickness) was used for the experiments. Compartments I (hosting anode) and III (hosting cathode) had identical internal dimensions (length = 5 cm, width = 10 cm, height = 10 cm) and contained the solvents, which was called anolyte and catholyte, respectively. Compartment II (length = 2.5 cm, width = 10 cm, height = 10 cm), located between Compartments I and III, held the tailings sample. For each EK test, 2V/cm voltage gradient applied for 7 days. 200 g of tailings was placed into Compartment II and gently compacted using an HDPE panel to achieve a flat surface and a bulk density of 1.6 g per cube cm, consistent with field measurements. The sample was then fully saturated with 40 mL of the designated solvent. Additional solvent was added to Compartments I and III until the liquid level equilibrated with the tailings surface in Compartment II, resulting in a total lixiviant volume of 500 mL
Citation Information - Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Yan, Y., Crane, R. (2026). Electrokinetic test results on porphyry copper mine tailings from Philex Padcal Mine, Benguet, Philippines. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset). https://doi.org/10.5285/260a042b-3e82-41f7-9256-3aab3c038e6c