ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Shake Extraction of Mining Waste by the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
 N D6234

Annotation

This test method covers a procedure for the shake leaching of mining waste containing at least 80 % dry solids ( 20 % moisture) in order to generate a solution to be used to determine the inorganic constituents leached under the specified testing conditions that conform to the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP).

This test method calls for the shaking of a known weight of mining waste with acidic extraction fluid of a specified composition as well as the separation of the liquid phase for analysis. The pH of the extraction fluid is to reflect the pH of acidic precipitation in the geographic region in which the waste being tested is to be disposed.

NOTE 1—Possible sources of information concerning the pH of the precipitation in the geographic region of interest include state and federal environmental agencies, state universities, libraries, etc. pH values given in USEPA Method 1312, that are 4.2 east of the Mississippi River and 5.0 west of the Mississippi River and are based on acid precipitation maps, are examples of values that can be used. If the pH of the laboratory water is less than the desired pH for the site, do not use this test method; use Test Method D3987 or Test Method E2242.

NOTE 2—The method may also be suitable for use in testing of mineral processing waste from meal mining process operations for jurisdictions that do not require the use of Test Method E2242.

This test method is intended to describe the procedure for performing single batch extractions only. It does not describe all types of sampling, sample preservation, and analytical requirements that may be associated with its application.