ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination Levels
and Health Risks in a Mining Area
in Sichuan Province, China
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PowerChina Northwest Engineering Corporation Limited. Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
Submission date: 2025-02-21
Final revision date: 2025-03-20
Acceptance date: 2025-04-19
Online publication date: 2025-06-05
Corresponding author
Daiwen Zhu
PowerChina Northwest Engineering Corporation Limited. Xi’an city, Shaanxi province, China, Xi’an, China
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ABSTRACT
Soil and water pollution, particularly from industrial activities like mining, has become a significant
environmental concern. Despite extensive research, there are still crucial gaps in understanding
the long-term impacts of contaminants from mineral processing plants on local ecosystems
and communities. This study aims to address these gaps by systematically evaluating the soil and water
quality around a defunct mineral processing facility in Maerkang County, Sichuan Province, China.
Through field surveys, sampling, and laboratory analysis, both inorganic and organic pollutants,
including heavy metals and hazardous chemicals related to the mining process, were identified.
The results indicated that soil and groundwater samples were within the acceptable limits of national
standards, suggesting a low immediate risk to human health. However, the leachate from stockpiled
tailings had elevated pH levels, classifying it as second-category solid waste that requires treatment.
Additionally, the site is located in an area expected to be flooded by a reservoir, necessitating the prompt
disposal of accumulated tailings. This research contributes to understanding the environmental risks
of past mining activities and provides valuable insights for future land management and remediation
in similar areas.