The present invention provides means for inhibiting the oxidation of a
metal sulfide-containing material, such as ore mine waste rock or metal
sulfide taiulings, by coating the metal sulfide-containing material with
an oxidation-inhibiting two-tail lipid coating (12) thereon, thereby
inhibiting oxidation of the metal sulfide-containing material in acid
mine drainage conditions. The lipids may be selected from phospholipids,
sphingolipids, glycolipids and combinations thereof.